Debt Investments Flashcards
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What is a sinking fund?
A separate fund established and funded each year by the bond issuer to accumulate an amount required to pay off the debt at maturity.
Sinking funds are used to reduce the default risk associated with some bonds.
What is the primary purpose of a sinking fund?
To accumulate funds required to pay off the debt at maturity.
This helps ensure that the bond issuer can meet its financial obligations.
True or False: A sinking fund increases the default risk of bonds.
False.
A sinking fund is included to reduce the default risk associated with bonds.
Fill in the blank: A sinking fund is designed to _______.
[accumulate an amount required to pay off the debt at maturity].
This accumulation occurs each year by the bond issuer.
stated annual interest rate that will be paid each period for the term of the bond and is stated as a percentage of the par value of the bond.
The coupon rate or nominal yield
pledges specific assets that may be sold by the bond purchaser in the event that the bond issuer defaults in paying either the interest or principal on the bond.
A secured bond
bond that promises payments of interest and principal but pledges no specific assets.
Debenture.
Another word for a debenture.
Unsecured bond.
Junk bonds.
Otherwise known as high-yield bonds.
A ____ Bond has a single maturity date
Term bond.
What is the general expectation about yields under a normal yield curve?
The longer the term, the greater the yield.
True or False: In a normal yield curve, short-term investments typically have higher yields than long-term investments.
False.
Fill in the blank: Under a normal yield curve, investors expect to receive a __________ yield for longer-term investments.
greater
Which of the following best describes a normal yield curve? A) Downward sloping B) Flat C) Upward sloping
C) Upward sloping
Short answer: Why do investors expect higher yields for longer-term investments in a normal yield curve?
Investors seek compensation for the increased risk and uncertainty over a longer time horizon.
What factors are positively related to bond ratings?
Profitability, lack of other debt issues, cash-flow coverage of the issuer
These factors indicate a stronger financial position of the issuer.
How does profitability affect bond ratings?
Greater profitability leads to higher bond ratings
Higher profitability indicates a stronger ability to meet debt obligations.
What is the relationship between outstanding debt and bond ratings?
Less outstanding debt correlates with higher bond ratings
Lower debt levels suggest lower financial risk for the issuer.
What role does cash-flow coverage play in determining bond ratings?
More cash-flow coverage of debt payments results in higher bond ratings
Adequate cash flow indicates the issuer’s ability to meet payment obligations.
What factors contribute to lower bond ratings?
Excessive financial leverage, earnings instability
High leverage increases risk, and unstable earnings make it harder to predict financial health.
True or False: Higher financial leverage positively affects bond ratings.
False
Excessive financial leverage typically leads to lower bond ratings due to increased risk.
Fill in the blank: The greater the _______ of the company, the higher the bond rating.
profitability
Profitability is a key indicator of an issuer’s financial health.
What is the effect of earnings instability on bond ratings?
It contributes to lower ratings
Earnings instability makes it difficult to assess the issuer’s ability to repay debt.
What happens to bond yields when there is an upward revision in ratings?
Yield declines
What happens to bond yields when there is a downward revision in ratings?
The market yield on the bond increases
This reflects the bond’s decline in quality.
Define the effect of an upward rating revision on bond yields.
Market yield declines due to improved bond quality.
What is financial risk?
The risk associated with the level of debt an issuer has outstanding.
Financial risk increases with higher levels of debt.
What legal obligation does a firm have regarding its debts?
A firm is under a legal obligation to repay the interest and principal of its debts.
This obligation increases the risk to bondholders.
How does high debt levels affect bondholders?
High debt levels increase the risk that the firm will not generate sufficient cash flow to meet its obligations.
Insufficient cash flow can lead to default on interest or principal repayments.
When is the risk of not meeting debt obligations most likely to occur?
When the company’s business prospects deteriorate.
Deterioration in business prospects can lead to insufficient cash inflow.
Fill in the blank: Financial risk is associated with the level of _______.
[debt]
Debt levels directly impact the financial risk faced by a firm.
What type of risk do Treasury securities have related to fluctuating interest rates?
Interest rate risk
This risk arises because the value of existing bonds decreases when interest rates rise.
What is purchasing power risk?
Purchasing power risk is the risk associated with the devaluation of cash flows from inflation.
True or False: Purchasing power risk only affects fixed-income investments.
False. While purchasing power risk significantly affects fixed-income investments, it impacts all types of investments to varying degrees
Fill in the blank: Purchasing power risk is primarily caused by ______.
inflation
Which of the following best describes the impact of inflation on purchasing power? A) Increases value B) Decreases value C) No effect
B) Decreases value
What are cash flows?
Cash flows are the inflows and outflows of cash that an individual or business receives or pays over a given period.
Spreads tend to be wider for small issues that are less often traded and small dollar trades.
Thinly traded securities, such as. OTC trades, Small cap stocks, hedge funds, private equity investments, high yield corporate bonds. .
What is the maturity range for U.S. Treasury notes?
2, 3, 5, 7, and 10 years
These maturity dates allow for different investment strategies.
What is the maturity period for U.S. Treasury bonds?
30 years
T-bonds are typically considered long-term investments.
Name three uses for U.S. Treasury notes and bonds.
- Diversifying a portfolio
- Funding college education expenses
- Supplementing retirement income
These investments can serve various financial goals.
Fill in the blank: U.S. Treasury notes are issued with maturity dates of _______.
2, 3, 5, 7, and 10 years
This variety allows investors to choose based on their financial needs.
What happens when a note or bond is sold before its maturity date?
Proceeds from the sale must be separated into components
What is recovered tax free when a note or bond is sold?
An amount equal to the investor’s adjusted basis in the note or bond
How is the investor’s adjusted basis in a note or bond usually calculated?
Purchase price plus any accrued Original Issue Discount (OID)
What amount does the seller usually receive from the buyer if the sale occurs before an interest date?
An amount separately stating interest accrued but not yet due
How is the amount received for accrued interest reported by the seller?
As interest income
What is the treatment of the excess of proceeds received over basis and interest?
It is treated as capital gain (or loss)