Consider a $100 par value bond with a 7% coupon paid annually and 5 years to maturity. At a discount rate of 6.5%, the value of the bond today is $102.08. One day later, the discount rate increases to 7.5%. Assuming the discount rate remains at 7.5% over the remaining life of the bond, what is most likely to occur to the price of the bond between today and maturity?
If the discount rate increases to 7.5% from 6.5%, the price of a bond decreases. At a discount rate of 7.5%, the bond sells at a discount to face value. As a discount bond approaches maturity, it will increase in price over time until it reaches par at maturity.