Chapter 15 Flashcards
What is a bond?
corporation’s written pledge to repay a specific amount of money, with interest
What is the bond’s maturity date?
date at which the face value (usually $1,000) will be repaid
Bondholders receive interest payments every
six months at the stated interest rate (coupon rate)
What is a bond indenture?
describes legal conditions surrounding bond
Define trustee.
financially independent firm that acts as the bondholder’s representative.
Why do corporations issue bonds? (5)
improve financial leverage, increasing ROI; when it’s difficult to sell stock; interest paid to bondholders is tax-deductible business expense; bonds must be repaid and interest is mandatory; superior claim to assets over stockholders
Describe a debenture bond.
unsecured; backed only by reputation of issuing company
Most corporate bonds are what kind of bond?
debenture bond
What are the five types of bonds?
debenture bond; mortgage bond; subordinated debenture bond; convertible bond; high yield bond
Describe a mortgage bond.
corporate bond that is secured by various assets of the issuing firm, usually real estate;
Why is a mortgage bond’s interest rate lower?
because it is secured by collateral and corporate assets
Describe a subordinated debenture bond. (2)
unsecured bond that gives bondholders a claim secondary to that of mortgage or debenture bond holders with respect to interest payments and claim on assets; more risk to investor, so higher coupon rate
Describe a convertible bond.
kind of corporate bond that can be exchanged (at owner’s option) for a specified number of shares of the corporation’s common stock
What are some features of a convertible bond? (3)
lower interest rate coupon; attracts more investors, yet most don’t convert; if converted, corporation does not have to repay bond at maturity
Describe a high yield bond.
bond that pays a higher rate of interest but has a higher risk of default.
What is another name for a high yield bond?
junk bond
Describe the call feature of bonds. (2)
corporation can call in or buy back outstanding bonds from bondholders before maturity; most firms agree to not call back bonds for first 5-10 years
Under what circumstances would a bond be called back?
if their coupon rate is much higher than the going market rate
(T/F) Most corporate bonds are not callable.
False, most of them ARE callable
Is the coupon rate higher or lower for callable bonds?
higher, because of call risk
Define sinking fund.
fund with money deposited annually or semiannually that is used to pay off bondholders when bond issue comes up