Question

Rolling Coast Inc. issued BBB bonds two years ago. These bonds provided a yield to maturity (YTM) of 11.5 percent. Long-term risk-free government bonds were yielding 8.7 percent at the time. The current risk premium on BBB bonds versus government bonds is half of what it was two years ago. If the risk-free long-term government bonds are currently yielding 7.8 percent, then at what interest rate should Rolling Coast expect to issue new bonds

Answer 1

Answer: 9.2%

Explanation:

The interest rate that Rolling Coast should expect to issue new bonds will be calculated thus:

Firstly, we will calculate the previous risk premium on BBB bonds which will be:

= 11.5% - 8.7% = 2.8%

Then, the new risk premium on BBB bonds will be:

= Previous risk premium / 2

= 2.8% / 2

= 1.4%

Then, the interest rate that Rolling Coast should expect to issue new bonds will be:

= 7.8% + 1.4%

= 9.2%