Question

A one-year bond has an interest rate of 5% today. Investors expect that in one year, a one-year bond will have an interest rate equal to 7%. Investors expect that in two years, a one-year bond will have an interest rate equal to 9%. According to the expectations theory of the term structure of interest rates, in equilibrium, a three-year bond today will have an interest rate equal to

Answer 1

A one-year bond has an interest rate of 5% today. Investors expect that in one year, a one-year bond will have an interest rate equal to 7%. Investors expect that in two years, a one-year bond will have an interest rate equal to 9%. According to the expectations theory of the term structure of interest rates, in equilibrium, a three-year bond today will have an interest rate equal to 7%.

Step-by-step explanation:

The current interest rate on one year bond = 5%

The forward interest rate on one year bond = 7%

The forward interest rate on one year bond = 9%

We can now calculate the interest rate on a three-year bond as below:

Interest rate = [Current interest rate on one year bond + Forward interest rate (7%) on one year bond + Forward interest rate (9%) ]/3

Interest rate = [5 +7+9]/3 = 21/3 = 7%

Therefore,

The interest rate on a three-year bond is equal to 7%.

Answer 2

6%

Step-by-step explanation:

Current interest rate on one year bond = 5%

Forward interest rate on one year bond = 7%

To Calculate the interest rate on two year bond we use this:

Interest rate = [Current interest rate on one year bond + Forward interest rate on one year bond]/2

Interest rate = [5 + 7]/2 = 12/2 = 6%

Therefore,

The interest rate on two-year bond is equal to 6%.