Exam 6: Interest Rates

If the demand curve for funds increased but the supply curve remained constant, we would expect to see the total amount of funds supplied and demanded increase and interest rates in general also increase.

During periods when inflation is increasing, interest rates tend to increase, while interest rates tend to fall when inflation is declining.

Suppose the real risk-free rate is 3.25%, the average future inflation rate is 4.35%, and a maturity risk premium of 0.07% per year to maturity applies to both corporate and T-bonds, i.e., MRP = 0.07%(t), where t is the years to maturity. Suppose also that a liquidity premium of 0.50% and a default risk premium of 0.90% apply to A-rated corporate bonds but not to T-bonds. How much higher would the rate of return be on a 10-year A-rated corporate bond than on a 5-year Treasury bond? Here we assume that the pure expectations theory is NOT valid. Disregard cross-product terms, i.e., if averaging is required, use the arithmetic average.

Suppose 10-year T-bonds have a yield of 5.30% and 10-year corporate bonds yield 6.75%. Also, corporate bonds have a 0.25% liquidity premium versus a zero liquidity premium for T-bonds, and the maturity risk premium on both Treasury and corporate 10-year bonds is 1.15%. What is the default risk premium on corporate bonds?

Assume that interest rates on 20-year Treasury and corporate bonds are as follows: T-bond = 7.72% AAA = 8.72% A = 9.64% BBB = 10.18% The differences in these rates were probably caused primarily by:

If the pure expectations theory holds, which of the following statements is CORRECT?

Assume the following: The real risk-free rate, r*, is expected to remain constant at 3%. Inflation is expected to be 3% next year and then to be constant at 2% a year thereafter. The maturity risk premium is zero. Given this information, which of the following statements is CORRECT?

Keys Corporation's 5-year bonds yield 6.20% and 5-year T-bonds yield 4.40%. The real risk-free rate is r* = 2.5%, the inflation premium for 5-year bonds is IP = 1.50%, the liquidity premium for Keys' bonds is LP = 0.5% versus zero for T-bonds, and the maturity risk premium for all bonds is found with the formula MRP = (t - 1) × 0.1%, where t = number of years to maturity. What is the default risk premium (DRP) on Keys' bonds?

Suppose the real risk-free rate is 3.50%, the average future inflation rate is 2.50%, a maturity premium of 0.02% per year to maturity applies, i.e., MRP = 0.20%(t), where t is the years to maturity. Suppose also that a liquidity premium of 0.50% and a default risk premium of 1.35% applies to A-rated corporate bonds. What is the difference in the yields on a 5-year A-rated corporate bond and on a 10-year Treasury bond? Here we assume that the pure expectations theory is NOT valid, and disregard any cross-product terms, i.e., if averaging is required, use the arithmetic average.

Which of the following would be most likely to lead to a higher level of interest rates in the economy?

Which of the following statements is CORRECT?

If the Treasury yield curve were downward sloping, the yield to maturity on a 10-year Treasury coupon bond would be higher than that on a 1-year T-bill.

Which of the following statements is CORRECT?

The "yield curve" shows the relationship between bonds' maturities and their yields.

If the pure expectations theory of the term structure is correct, which of the following statements would be CORRECT?

Kern Corporation's 5-year bonds yield 7.30% and 5-year T-bonds yield 4.10%. The real risk-free rate is r* = 2.5%, the default risk premium for Kern's bonds is DRP = 1.90% versus zero for T-bonds, the liquidity premium on Kern's bonds is LP = 1.3%, and the maturity risk premium for all bonds is found with the formula MRP = (t - 1) × 0.1%, where t = number of years to maturity. What is the inflation premium (IP) on all 5-year bonds?

Which of the following factors would be most likely to lead to an increase in nominal interest rates?

Since yield curves are based on a real risk-free rate plus the expected rate of inflation, at any given time there can be only one yield curve, and it applies to both corporate and Treasury securities.

Crockett Corporation's 5-year bonds yield 6.35%, and 5-year T-bonds yield 4.75%. The real risk-free rate is r* = 3.60%, the default risk premium for Crockett's bonds is DRP = 1.00% versus zero for T-bonds, the liquidity premium on Crockett's bonds is LP = 0.90% versus zero for T bonds, and the maturity risk premium for all bonds is found with the formula MRP = (t - 1) × 0.1%, where t = number of years to maturity. What inflation premium (IP) is built into 5-year bond yields?

One of the four most fundamental factors that affect the cost of money as discussed in the text is the expected rate of inflation. If inflation is expected to be relatively high, then interest rates will tend to be relatively low, other things held constant.