Question

Consider a 10-year bond with a face value of $1,000 that has a coupon rate of 5.5%, with semiannual payments.

Answer 1

Explanation:

It all depends on the market conventions and the bond documentation.

1 In most countries, traditionally fixed coupon bonds don’t have their coupons day counted. So if the frequency is twice a year, and the annual coupon rate is 5.5%, then each semi-annual coupon is exactly 5.5/2=2.75%. However a lot of other instruments, e.g. fixed swap legs, loans, and bonds that are really “loan participation notes”, etc. usually have their fixed coupons day counted. So each coupon amount will vary a little depending on the number of days in the accrual period, weekends and holidays.