Question

Assume that the following are independent situations recently reported in the Wall Street Journal.

a. General Electric (GE) 7% bonds, maturing January 28, 2018, were issued at 110.30.
b. Boeing 7% bonds, maturing September 24, 2032, were issued at 98.15.

Required:
a. Were GE and Boeing bonds issued at a premium or a discount?
b. The General Electric bonds were issued at a___________ and the Boeing bonds were issued at a__________

Answer 1

a. Were GE and Boeing bonds issued at a premium or a discount?

GE bonds were issued at a premium, at 110.3%, while Boeing bonds were issued at a discount, at 98.15%

b. The General Electric bonds were issued at a premium (at $1,103) and the Boeing bonds were issued at a discount (at $981.50).

When bonds are issued at a value higher than face value, they are issued at a premium. When bonds are issued at a value lower than face value, they are issued at a discount.