The coupon rate is the fixed interest rate that a bond issuer pays to bondholders. It is expressed as a percentage of the bond's face value and is typically paid semi-annually. The coupon rate is used to calculate the amount of interest payments that bondholders will receive.
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Google Gemini AI
Apr 22
Definition:
The coupon rate refers to the annual interest rate that is paid on a fixed-income investment, such as a bond or preferred stock.
Explanation:
When a bond is issued, it is assigned a specific coupon rate, which represents the fixed percentage of its face value that will be paid to investors as interest payments. The coupon rate is typically quoted as an annual percentage and remains constant throughout the life of the bond.
Importance:
The coupon rate is a key factor that determines the value and attractiveness of a bond investment:
- Investor Returns: The coupon rate influences the amount of interest income investors receive on their investment. A higher coupon rate generally provides higher returns. - Bond Value: The coupon rate affects the market value of a bond. Bonds with higher coupon rates tend to be more valuable than those with lower coupon rates. - Interest Rate Risk: The coupon rate is inversely related to interest rate changes. When interest rates rise, the value of bonds with lower coupon rates tends to decrease, while the value of bonds with higher coupon rates may increase.
Other Considerations:
- The coupon rate is typically paid semi-annually (every six months). - Some bonds have a "zero-coupon" rate, meaning they do not pay periodic interest payments. Instead, investors receive a lump sum payment at the end of the bond's term. - Floating-rate bonds have a coupon rate that adjusts periodically based on market interest rates.
Example:
If a bond with a face value of $1,000 has a coupon rate of 5%, the investor will receive interest payments of $50 twice a year ($1,000 x 0.05 / 2).