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Q1 June 2013 Value of unsecured bond

TTobi9y ago
Hi John, 13% unsecured bond with a nominal value of $40m, redeemable in 10 years. To work out the value of the bond, the solution gave: Assume a flat yield to maturity of 7%. Annual coupon interest = $5.2m (13% x $40m) 10 year annuity factor at 7% = 7.024; Discount factor (10 years @ 7%) = 0.508 Bond Value = ($5.2m x 7.024) + ($40m x0.508) = $56.8m Now I understad what this solution did. It simply discounted the cash flows of the bond repayments. My question is how did the solutions come up with the assumption of 7%. If I assumed a difference % in the exam, surely the value of the bond would change. It did say much further down in the scenario that the company in question (Milma Co) had a normal borrowing rate of 7%. Is this where the assumption came from? Many thanks.
John MoffatJohn MoffatTutor9y ago#1
Ye. Since their normal borrowing rate is 7% it is assumed that investors in this unsecured bond will also be wanting a 7% return and therefore the market value is calculated by discounting at 7%.
TTobi9y ago#2
Thanks John! Much appreciated.
John MoffatJohn MoffatTutor9y ago#3
You are welcome :-)
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