Investopedia

Bond Discount

Filed Under » ,
Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Bond Discount'

The amount by which the market price of a bond is lower than its principal amount due at maturity. This amount, called its par value, is often $1,000. As bond prices are quoted as a percent of face value, a price of 98.00 means that the bond is selling for 98% of its face value of $1,000.00 and the bond discount is 2%.

Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Bond Discount'

Bonds trade at a discount to par value for a number of reasons. Bonds on the secondary market with fixed coupons will trade at discounts when market interest rates rise. While the investor receives the same coupon, the bond is discounted to match prevailing market yields. Discounts also occur when bond supply exceeds demand, when the bond's credit rating is lowered, or when the perceived risk of default increases. Conversely, falling interest rates or an improved credit rating may cause a bond to trade at a premium.

Articles Of Interest

  1. Climb The Bond Ladder To Higher Income

    Whether it's learning how to ladder bonds or finding alternatives, investors seeking better returns need to be more active.
  2. How Bond Market Pricing Works

    Learn the basic rules that govern how bond prices are determined.
  3. Junk Bonds: Everything You Need To Know

    Don't be fooled by the name - junk bonds may be for you if you know how to analyze them.
  4. Get Acquainted With Bond Price/Yield Duo

    Understanding this relationship can help an investor in any market.
  5. What does it mean when a bond is selling at a premium? Is it a good investment?

    When the terms premium and discount are used in reference to bonds, they are telling investors that the purchase price of the bond is either above or below its par value. For example, if a bond ...
  6. If the price of the bond falls, does that mean the company won't pay me the par value?

    When you buy a bond, you are loaning money to the issuer. Because a bond is a loan, the interest paid to the bondholder is payment for lending the money. The interest payable is stated as a percentage ...
  7. Are high-yield bonds better investments than low-yield bonds?

    Most bonds typically make periodic payments, known as coupon payments, to the bondholder. A bond's indenture, which will be known when the purchaser buys the bond, will specify the coupon payments ...
  8. Why Your Pension Plan Has Sovereign Debt In It

    One type of security pensions tend to invest in is sovereign debt, or debt issued by a government.
  9. 6 Popular ETF Types For Your Portfolio

    Exchange traded funds are an extremely popular diversification tool that can protect your portfolio during troubled periods.
  10. Top 5 Budgeting Questions Answered

    You don't need a degree to understand your money, begin saving and pay down debt.
comments powered by Disqus
Marketplace
Hot Definitions
  1. Pattern Day Trader

    An SEC designation for traders who trade the same security four or more times per day (buys and sells) over a five-day period, and for whom same-day trades make up at least 6% of their activity for that period.
  2. Cost-Push Inflation

    A phenomenon in which the general price levels rise (inflation) due to increases in the cost of wages and raw materials.
  3. Happiness Economics

    The formal academic study of the relationship between individual satisfaction and economic issues, such as employment and wealth.
  4. Affluenza

    A social condition arising from the desire to be more wealthy, successful or to "keep up with the Joneses." Affluenza is symptomatic of a culture that holds up financial success as one of the highest achievements.
  5. Icarus Factor

    The term Icarus factor describes a situation where managers or executives initiate an overly ambitious project which then fails. Fueled by excitement for the project, the executives are unable to reign in their misguided enthusiasm before it is too late to avoid the failure.
  6. Angelina Jolie Stock Index

    An index made up of a selection of stocks from companies associated with actress Angela Jolie.
Trading Center