📚 Learning Guide
Interest Rates and Bond Prices
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A central bank decides to lower interest rates to stimulate the economy. Which of the following scenarios best demonstrates the impact of this decision on the bond market?

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Choose the Best Answer

A

Bond prices increase as existing bonds with higher rates become more attractive.

B

Bond prices decrease because new bonds are issued at lower rates, making existing bonds less desirable.

C

Bond prices remain stable since interest rates have no effect on bond valuations.

D

Bond prices fluctuate randomly without any relation to interest rates.

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

When a central bank lowers interest rates, it usually makes borrowing cheaper for businesses and individuals. This can lead to more spending and investment, which helps stimulate the economy. In the bond market, lower interest rates mean that new bonds will be issued with lower coupon rates, or interest payments. As a result, existing bonds with higher interest rates become more attractive to investors, which increases their prices. For example, if a new bond pays 3% interest because of the lower rates, but an existing bond pays 5%, investors will prefer the older bond, driving its price up.

Detailed Explanation

When interest rates go down, new bonds pay less. Other options are incorrect because This answer suggests that lower rates make older bonds less appealing; This answer thinks interest rates don't matter for bond prices.

Key Concepts

Interest Rates
Bond Prices
Monetary Policy
Topic

Interest Rates and Bond Prices

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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