1. Time Value of Money Calculations:
• What is an opportunity cost? How is this concept used in TVM analysis.
• Explain why opportunity cost is vital for financial managers.
2. Interest Rate Analysis:
• Research the current market interest rates and analyze and discuss the factors that are influencing them.
• Create a chart or graph to illustrate the trend of these rates over the past year.
• Based on current economic trends and data, what are the predictions for short-term and long-term interest rates?
• How might changes in market interest rates impact the investment strategies of both individual and institutional investors?
3. Bond Valuation Exercise:
• Yield to Maturity (YTM):
What is Yield to Maturity (YTM), and why is it considered a more comprehensive measure of a bond’s return compared to the coupon rate?
• Default Risk and Bond Ratings:
How do bond ratings (such as those from Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch) impact the interest rates of corporate bonds? Discuss the concept of risk premium in the context of bond ratings.
• Bond Types and Features:
Compare and contrast different types of bonds such as zero-coupon bonds, convertible bonds, and callable bonds. What are the unique features and risk profiles of each type?
• Macroeconomic Factors:
Discuss how macroeconomic factors such as inflation, economic growth, and fiscal policy impact government bond yields. How might these factors influence an investor’s decision to buy or sell government bonds?
Submission Guidelines:
The report should be 5-7 pages in length, excluding the cover page and the reference page.
Format: Use headings and subheadings to organize your content clearly.
References: Cite at least 3 credible sources to support your analyses.
Adhere to APA formatting guidelines.
