Current Yield
Definition
Current Yield is defined as the annual interest (coupon payment) on a bond or other fixed-income investment divided by its current market price. It provides a snapshot of the income yield an investor would receive if the security were bought at the current market price and held for one year.
\[ \text{Current Yield} = \frac{\text{Annual Coupon Payment}}{\text{Current Market Price}} \]
Example
Consider a bond with a face or par value of $1,000 and a coupon rate of 10%. This means the bond pays an annual interest of $100. If the bond is currently being sold in the market for $800, the current yield would be calculated as follows:
\[ \text{Current Yield} = \frac{100}{800} = 12.5% \]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How does current yield differ from coupon rate?
- The coupon rate is the percentage of the bond’s face value that is paid annually in interest, while the current yield is the bond’s annual interest payment divided by its current market price.
2. What is the significance of current yield for investors?
- Current yield helps investors understand the return they would get if they purchased the bond at its current price, providing a real-time measure of bond performance.
3. Can the current yield be higher than the coupon rate?
- Yes, if the bond is bought at a discount (below face value), the current yield will be higher than the coupon rate.
4. Does current yield account for capital gains or losses?
- No, current yield only considers the income from interest payments. It does not account for potential capital gains or losses if the bond is sold before maturity.
5. How does current yield relate to yield to maturity (YTM)?
- Yield to maturity calculates the total expected return if the bond is held until it matures, including both interest payments and any capital gain or loss. Current yield only accounts for the immediate annual interest income.
- Coupon Rate: The annual interest rate paid by the bond’s issuer based on the bond’s face value.
- Yield to Maturity (YTM): The total return expected on a bond if held until it matures.
- Market Price: The current price at which a bond is trading in the market.
- Face Value: The amount paid to the bondholder at maturity, also known as par value.
Online Resources
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “The Bond Book: Everything Investors Need to Know About Treasuries, Municipals, GNMAs, Corporates, Zeros, Bond Funds, Money Market Funds, and More” by Annette Thau
- “Bond Markets, Analysis, and Strategies” by Frank J. Fabozzi
- “Fixed Income Analysis” by Barbara S. Petitt and Jerald E. Pinto
Fundamentals of Current Yield: Finance Basics Quiz
### What is the formula to calculate the current yield of a bond?
- [ ] \\(\frac{\text{Current Market Price}}{\text{Annual Coupon Payment}}\\)
- [ ] \\(\frac{\text{Annual Coupon Payment}}{{\text{Face Value}}}\\)
- [x] \\(\frac{\text{Annual Coupon Payment}}{\text{Current Market Price}}\\)
- [ ] \\(\frac{{\text{Face Value}}}{{\text{Annual Coupon Payment}}}\\)
> **Explanation:** The correct formula for calculating current yield is the annual coupon payment divided by the bond's current market price.
### How would you interpret a bond with a high current yield?
- [ ] The bond is selling at a premium.
- [x] The bond is selling at a discount.
- [ ] The bond’s capital gains potential is high.
- [ ] The bond issuer is financially unstable.
> **Explanation:** A high current yield often indicates that the bond is selling at a discount, meaning the market price is lower than the face value.
### What does the coupon rate represent?
- [x] The annual interest rate paid on the bond’s face value.
- [ ] The bond's annual return based on its current market price.
- [ ] The bond's total return if held until maturity.
- [ ] The interest rate on the bond minus inflation.
> **Explanation:** The coupon rate is the annual interest rate paid on the bond’s face value by the issuer.
### Why might an investor prefer looking at current yield over yield to maturity?
- [ ] To understand the bond's risk level.
- [x] To get a real-time measure of the bond's income return.
- [ ] To predict future interest rates.
- [ ] To assess the issuer's creditworthiness.
> **Explanation:** Investors may prefer current yield for a real-time measure of the bond’s income return based on its current market price.
### Which statement is true regarding current yield and coupon rate?
- [ ] Current yield is always higher than the coupon rate.
- [ ] Current yield and coupon rate are usually equal.
- [x] Current yield can be either higher or lower than the coupon rate.
- [ ] Current yield does not relate to the coupon rate.
> **Explanation:** Current yield can be higher or lower than the coupon rate depending on the bond's current market price relative to its face value.
### What happens to the current yield if the bond's market price increases?
- [x] The current yield decreases.
- [ ] The current yield increases.
- [ ] The current yield remains unchanged.
- [ ] The current yield becomes zero.
> **Explanation:** If the bond’s market price increases, the current yield decreases since the same annual coupon payment is now divided by a higher market price.
### Which of the following best describes a “face value” of a bond?
- [x] The amount paid to the bondholder at maturity.
- [ ] The bond’s current trading price in the market.
- [ ] The bond’s annual interest payment.
- [ ] The initial investment by the bondholder.
> **Explanation:** The face value is the amount paid to the bondholder at maturity, also known as the par value.
### Current yield is most useful for comparing which types of securities?
- [ ] Stocks
- [x] Bonds
- [ ] Mutual funds
- [ ] Real estate
> **Explanation:** Current yield is particularly useful for comparing the income return on bonds.
### Which aspect does current yield not account for?
- [x] Potential capital gains or losses.
- [ ] Annual income from interest payments.
- [ ] Current market price of the investment.
- [ ] Coupon rate.
> **Explanation:** Current yield does not account for potential capital gains or losses, only the annual income from interest payments and current market price.
### What might a decreasing current yield indicate about the price of a bond?
- [ ] The bond’s price is decreasing.
- [x] The bond’s price is increasing.
- [ ] The bond is approaching its maturity.
- [ ] The bond’s coupon payments are being reduced.
> **Explanation:** A decreasing current yield usually indicates that the market price of the bond is increasing.
Thank you for exploring the concept of current yield with us and testing your knowledge with our quiz. Keep honing your financial expertise!
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