Fabozzi - 1 Flashcards
What is the par value of a bond?
The amount the issuer agrees to repay the bondholder at maturity.
How are bond prices quoted?
As a percentage of par value, with par value equal to 100.
What is a coupon rate?
The interest rate the issuer agrees to pay each year.
How is the coupon amount calculated?
By multiplying the par value by the coupon rate.
What is a zero-coupon bond?
A bond that does not make periodic coupon payments; the bondholder realizes interest at maturity.
What is a floating-rate security?
A bond whose coupon rate resets periodically based on a formula, usually a reference rate plus a quoted margin.
What is a cap in a floating-rate security?
A maximum coupon rate that can be paid, which is a disadvantage to the bondholder.
What is a floor in a floating-rate security?
A minimum coupon rate that can be paid, which is an advantage to the bondholder.
What is a step-up note?
A bond whose coupon rate increases over time.
What is accrued interest?
The interest that has accrued since the last coupon payment and is owed to the bond seller by the buyer.
What is the difference between full price and clean price?
Full price (dirty price) includes accrued interest, while clean price excludes accrued interest.
What is an amortizing security?
A bond for which there is a schedule for the repayment of principal.
What is a call provision?
An option for the issuer to retire all or part of the bond issue before the stated maturity date.
Who benefits from a call provision?
The issuer benefits, while it is a disadvantage to the bondholder.
What is a deferred call?
A callable bond that cannot be called for a number of years after issuance.
What is a call schedule?
A schedule where the call price depends on when the issuer calls the bond.
What is a make-whole premium provision?
A formula designed to protect the bondholder’s yield when an issuer calls a bond.
What is the difference between regular redemption price and special redemption price?
Regular redemption prices apply to normal calls, while special redemption prices apply to debt redeemed through a sinking fund or other provisions.
What is call protection?
Restrictions that prevent an issuer from calling a bond early.
What is a sinking fund provision?
A requirement for the issuer to retire a specified portion of the bond issue each year.
What is an accelerated sinking fund provision?
An option for the issuer to retire more than the required amount to satisfy the sinking fund requirement.
What is a putable bond?
A bond where the bondholder has the right to sell the bond back to the issuer at a specified price on designated dates.
What is a convertible bond?
A bond that gives the bondholder the right to exchange it for a specified number of shares of common stock.
How do embedded options affect bond valuation?
They make valuation complex by requiring modeling of interest rates and issuer/borrower behavior to project cash flows.
How do institutional investors finance bond purchases?
Typically through repurchase agreements rather than margin buying.
What is a repurchase agreement (repo)?
The sale of a security with a commitment to repurchase it at a specific price on a specific date.
What is the repo rate?
The borrowing rate for a repurchase agreement, generally lower than bank borrowing rates.
What is the difference between a nonamortizing bond and an amortizing bond?
A nonamortizing bond repays principal only at maturity, while an amortizing bond repays principal periodically.
What is the distinction between a noncallable and a nonrefundable bond?
A noncallable bond cannot be called early, while a nonrefundable bond cannot be refunded with lower-cost debt.
What is the difference between call and refunding provisions?
A call provision allows early redemption, while refunding provisions restrict using cheaper debt to replace existing debt.
What is prepayment option?
The right of the borrower to repay principal before the scheduled due dates.
What is margin buying?
Borrowing funds to purchase a security by using the security itself as collateral.
What are affirmative covenants?
Positive obligations that the issuer must adhere to, such as maintaining certain financial ratios.
What are negative covenants?
Restrictions placed on the issuer, such as limitations on additional debt issuance.
What is a currently callable bond?
A bond that has no protection against early call by the issuer.
What are floating-rate securities structured with?
A coupon formula based on a reference rate plus a margin, and may have interest rate caps or floors.
What is the importance of options embedded in a bond issue?
They affect bond pricing, yield, and risk, impacting both issuers and bondholders.
What is a refunding protection?
A restriction on the issuer’s ability to redeem bonds using the proceeds of a lower-cost debt issue.
How does a call provision differ from a sinking fund provision?
A call provision allows for early redemption of the entire issue, while a sinking fund retires a portion of the issue each year.
What is the benefit of a put option to bondholders?
It allows bondholders to sell the bond back to the issuer if interest rates rise or the issuer’s credit deteriorates.
What is a fixed-rate coupon bond?
A bond that pays a fixed interest rate over its entire life.
What is a zero-coupon bond?
A bond that does not make periodic interest payments but is issued at a discount and repaid at face value at maturity.
What is a deferred coupon bond?
A bond that postpones the interest payments until a later date, usually paying higher interest after the deferral period.
What is a floating-rate bond?
A bond with an interest rate that fluctuates based on a reference rate plus a fixed spread.
What are interest rate caps in floating-rate bonds?
A limit on how high the coupon rate can go, which is a disadvantage to the bondholder.
What are interest rate floors in floating-rate bonds?
A limit on how low the coupon rate can go, which is an advantage to the bondholder.
What is accrued interest?
Interest that has been earned but not yet paid since the last coupon payment.
What is the full price (dirty price) of a bond?
The bond price including accrued interest.