Knowledge Flashcards
What is the Net Present Value formula?
CF1/(1+i) + CF2/(1+i)2 + CF3/(1+i)3 …
CFx is cash flow in the given year and i is the interest rate.
What is the bond yield hierarchy
Nominal rate
Current rate
Yield to maturity (YTM)
Yield to call (YTC)
Discounted rates: nominal is the lowest
Premium: YTC is the lowest
When will a bond be called?
It will not be called if selling at a discount (interest rates are higher than the issued rate).
It will be called if selling at a premium (interest rates are lower than the issued rate).
Bonds sell at a premium when interest rates are low. If interest rates are low, the issuer can call the bond and issue new bonds at a lower rate.
Yield curve theories
Liquidity Preference Investors demand a higher return when bonds are issued for a longer term.
Market Expectation The shape of the curve shows the direction rates will move in the future.
Market Segmentation The shape of the curve is determined by supply and demand in each segment.
None of these adequately match the reality of what we see.
Yield spread
Compares AAA Corporate bonds to government bonds.
In theory, the spread widens when the economy is heading into a recession. It narrows when the economy is heading into prosperity.
Future value formula
FV = PV(1+i)n
FV: future value
PV: present value
i: interest rate
n: number of years
Characteristics of various price/x ratios
Price/sales: No earnings impact Unusual 1-time charges
Price/cash flow: Unusually high Non-cash deductions
Convertible debt characteristics
Above par - acts like a stock. It’s in the money.
Below par - acts like a bond.
In what increments are Treasury Bonds sold?
$100
Federal Farm Credit System investments
The banks:
- Federal Intermediate Credit Bank
- Federal Land Banks
- Banks for Cooperatives
Discount notes
- 1 year or less maturity
- $5,000 minimum investment
- $1,000 increments
Designated bond
- 2-10 year maturity
- Not callable
- Pay interest twice per year
- $5,000 minimum investment
- $1,000 increments
Bonds Up to 30 years
- Callable
- Fixed rate:
- $5,000 minimum
- $1,000 increment
- Floating rate:
- $100,000 minimum
- $1,000 increment
Homeownership promotion
Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLB)
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA, Fannie Mae)
Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA, Ginnie Mae)
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC, Freddie Mac)
What investment vehicles are available from the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLB)?
- Notes
- $100,000 minimum
- $1,000 increments
- Bonds
- $10,000 increments
- These bonds are callable
- Bullet bonds
- Not callable
Discuss Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS).
- Applies to FNMA (Fannie Mae), FHLMC (Freddie Mac), GNMA (Ginnie Mae).
- Agency buys mortgages from banks.
- Agency creates packages of about $1 billion and divides the package into $25,000 MBS.
- MBS are subject to prepayment risk.
- FNMA buys VA & FHA loans.
- GNMA buys government-insured mortgages.
- FHLMC buys conventional mortgages.
What are Brady bonds?
Bonds that are issued by the governments of developing countries.
Named after former U. S. Treasury secretary Nicholas Brady.
Most issued by Latin American countries.
How is interest from GNMA investments taxed?
Unlike Treasuries, it is fully taxable at both the federal and state levels.