The bond’s annual coupon income is determined by applying its stated coupon rate to its face value:
6% × $10,000 = $600 annually
A change in prevailing market interest rates does not alter the contractual coupon payment on an existing fixed-rate bond. Therefore, the investor should continue to expect annual interest income of $600 while holding the bond.
However, the bond’s market value will decline when comparable newly issued bonds offer an 8% yield. A prospective purchaser would not normally pay the full $10,000 face value for a bond paying only $600 annually when newly issued securities of comparable credit quality and maturity provide higher income. The existing bond must trade below par so that its yield becomes competitive with current market rates.
Options A and D incorrectly assume that the coupon income automatically increases to $800. Option B correctly retains the $600 coupon but reverses the expected price movement. Bond prices and market interest rates normally move in opposite directions, with the magnitude of the price change also affected by maturity, duration, coupon rate and credit quality.
Official references: CIRO Retail Securities Syllabus—fixed-income characteristics, coupon rates, face value, yield calculations, bond pricing, interest-rate risk and price volatility.
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