Final answer:
Investors need to consider the current yield, yield to maturity, holding period return, and the impact of interest rate changes on bond prices to fully understand their potential returns. A bond's yield includes interest payments and any capital gains, and is affected when interest rates fluctuate, altering bond prices inversely. Reinvestment risk also plays a role, as the rate at which coupon payments are reinvested can affect overall returns.
Step-by-step explanation:
Investors analyzing fixed-income securities such as bonds aim to understand the various yields and returns associated with their investments. The current yield of a bond is calculated by dividing the annual interest payments by the bond's market price. However, evaluating the yield to maturity (YTM) and holding period return (HPR) provides a more comprehensive view of the potential investment returns.
For instance, if an investor purchases a bond with a face value of $1,000 and an 8% coupon rate at $964 and holds it for a year, they would receive $80 in interest payments. If they were able to sell the bond for its face value at the end of one year, the total amount received would be $1,080. The yield, which includes interest payments and capital gains, can be calculated as ($1,080 - $964) / $964, resulting in a 12% return.
Interest rates have an inverse relationship with bond prices. When interest rates rise, the price of existing bonds with lower interest rates falls to keep YTM competitive with new issues. Conversely, when interest rates fall, the price of existing bonds with higher interest rates rises.
There's also the concept of reinvestment risk, where the investor must consider the rate at which they can reinvest their coupon payments. For example, if an investor can reinvest at 4.5% while holding a bond with a higher coupon rate, this will affect the overall return on their investment.