For maximum credit: write legibly in full sentences, label
all numbers with appropriate units, show all work to get maximum partial
credit. Essays and
True-False-Uncertain/Explain questions should be answered
with at least one full paragraph. Points are indicated in parentheses,
70 points total. Good Luck!
ESSAY QUESTIONS - WRITE A MINIMUM OF ONE FULL PARAGRAPH
1. (10 points) Evidence shows that interest rates
are procyclical (interest rates rise during economic expansions, and fall
during economic contractions). Explain the statement above using
either the S & D for Bonds or the S & D for Credit model in your
answer, showing what happens to interest rates both during an expansion
and during a contraction.
2. (10 points) Assume the Federal Reserve implements
expansionary monetary policy by performing an open market operation (buying
bonds from the public).
a. Using both the S and D for Bonds model and the
S and D for Money model, graphically show the initial “liquidity effect”
of expansionary monetary policy and explain in words what happens to interest
rates initially (Short run).
b. Show what most often happens to interest rates
over time (Long run) as a result of expansionary monetary policy, with
a detailed diagram and discussion.
3. (10 points) T-F-Uncertain/Explain. State an answer (T, F or U) and then completely explain your answer in a short essay of a minimum of one full paragraph. “When the actual rate of inflation is greater than the nominal interest rate, the real rate of interest will be negative.”
PROBLEMS - SHOW ALL WORK TO RECEIVE FULL CREDIT, and LABEL ALL NUMBERS WITH APPROPRIATE UNITS!!
1. (30 points total, as indicated) You are given the following
information on bonds in the year 2000 when the CPI is 170. Assume
coupon annual coupon payments.
Type
Coupon Rate
FV
Term Price
Zero Coupon
---
$1000 10 years
$495
Regular T-bond
6%
$1000 5 years
$975
Indexed T-bond
3.5%
$1040 5 years
$1025
Municipal bond
4.75%
$1000 5 years
$985
a. calculate the yield to maturity (YTM) for each of the
four bonds above. (6 points)
b. Calculate the current yield (PMT /Price ) for each
bond above except the zero coupon bond (quote the current yield to 2 decimal
places, e.g. 5.28%). (6 points)
c. use the information above and calculate the expected
rate of inflation over the next five years. Explain your answer in
a short essay. (6 points)
d. Use your answer from part c, and assume the CPI in
2005 is 182. Calculate the and state the actual rate of inflation
over the next five years. Would a person who bought the Regular T-bond
in 2000 and held it until maturity be helped or harmed by the actual rate
of inflation? Why or why not? Explain in a short essay.
(6 points)
e. assuming that Regular T-notes are fully taxable, would
a person in the 26% tax bracket prefer the municipal bond (tax-free) or
the Regular T-bond? Explain your answer and show calculations to
support your answer. (Assume that there is no difference in default
risk) (6 points)
2. (10 points total, 2 points for each part ) Given the
data below:
a. Calculate the annualized, compounded nominal rate
of return for each country’s stock index over this period using the time
value of money formula.
b. Calculate the annualized, compounded rate of inflation
in each country.
c. Calculate the real rate of return for each stock market.
d. Which country had the highest nominal return?
e. Which country had the highest real return? Explain
your answer in words in a short essay.
YEAR
1990 1996
Germany Stock Index
650 1825
CPI
622 988
Italy
Stock Index 2000
9725
CPI
998 3200