In: Finance
Which of the following investments is most affected by changes in the level of interest rates? Suppose interest rates go up or down by 50 basis points(+/- 0.5%). Rank the investments from most affected (largest change in value) to least affected (smallest change in value).
(a) $1 million invested in short-term Treasury bills.
(b) $1 million invested in STRIPS (zero coupons) maturing in December 2025.
(c) $1 million invested in a Treasury note maturing in December 2025. The note pays a 5.5% coupon.
(d) $1 million invested in a Treasury bond maturing in December 2025. The bond pays a 9.25% coupon.
Ranking of investments from most affected to least affected from change of investments -
Rank 1- $1 million invested in a Treasury bond maturing in December 2025. The bond pays a 9.25% coupon.
Rank 2- $1 million invested in a Treasury note maturing in December 2025. The note pays a 5.5% coupon
Rank 3- $1 million invested in short-term Treasury bills
Rank 4- $1 million invested in STRIPS (zero coupons) maturing in December 2025
Explanation for the ranking
1- Strips are zero coupon rated hence the change in interest
rate will not affect the same at all.
2- 1 million invested in short term treasury bills, hence the
decrease or increase of rate of interest will affect only for 1
year hence the quantum of affect due to change in interest rate
will be less as compared to 5 year long investments.
3- the bond with coupon rate of 9.25% will be affected more by 0.5%
change as compared to note with a coupon rate of 5.5%