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Dabbs, Hickman, Hill & Cannon, LLP

 

319 South Main Street, PO Box 727

Statesboro, GA 30459

Phone: 912-764-6951

 

325 Tattnall Street

Savannah, GA 31401

Phone: 912-233-9004

August 2022

Interest Rates and Bonds

Interest rate financial and mortgage rates concept. Wooden cube block with icon percentage symbol and arrow up and down direction

A fundamental principle of bond investing is that market interest rates and bond prices generally move in opposite directions. When interest rates rise, the cost of bonds typically decreases and the bond's yield (how much you'll earn) usually increases. This is true for government and corporate bonds.


INVERSE RELATIONSHIP
A bond’s coupon rate (e.g., interest rate) is fixed when issued. But when interest rates change, the coupon rate becomes more or less attractive depending on how interest rates move. When a bond’s coupon rate is lower than the prevailing interest rate, investors will likely find it less appealing, and the bond’s price will decrease. For example, if a corporate bond has a coupon rate of 3%, but prevailing interest rates are 4%, an investor will pay the amount that generates more than a 4% yield. So, a $1,000 face value bond might sell for $925.


Remember that time to maturity and the issuer’s credit quality also impact bond rates.


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