Question

An investor holds two bonds, one with 5 years until maturity and the other with 20 years until maturity. Which of the following is more likely if interest rates suddenly increase by 2%? 1)The 5-year bond will decrease more in price. 2)The 20-year bond will decrease more in price. 3)Both bonds will decrease in price similarly. 4)Neither bond will decrease in price, but yields will increase. please explain

Answer 1

Answer:

2) The 20 year bond will decrease more in price

Explanation:

Bonds represent debt securities whereby the issuer raises long term finance, with an obligation to pay a fixed rate of coupon payments to the lender and principal repayment upon maturity.

Bond prices refer to the present value of a bond's stream of coupon payments and principal repayment at the end.

The market rate of interest represents an investors required rate of return also known as yield to maturity (YTM).

Bond prices and interest rates have inverse relationship. When market interest rates increase, the price of bonds fall.

In the given case, the fall in the value would be more in case of 20 year old bond since the interest rate pattern is more certain in shorter duration than for longer duration.