321.
223.3
3. Several major companies (like Disney and AT&T) have issued
"Century Bonds." These bonds pay regular semi-annual
coupons, but do not mature until 100 years after they are issued.
Some critics have stated that there is huge risk that you won't
get the principal repaid because you just can't predict what will
happen to the company in 100 years. For this question assume that
the company has just issued a $1000 par, 8% coupon bond with semi-annual
payments.
- If current market rates are 8% compounded semi-annually,
what is the current price of the bond? What is the
present value of the principal repayment at maturity?
Finally, what proportion of the bond's price does the
principal repayment make-up? (5 pts.)
- What is the total value today of the last 40 years (years
61-100) of payments, including coupons and principal
repayment? (8 pts.)
- If interest rates go down, will the bond be worth more or
less? Why? (4 pts.)
- If interest rates go down, will the principal repayment
be a larger or smaller portion of the total value of the
bond? Why? (6 pts.)
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