Nominal Yield Disregards Changes in Market Interest Rates

Nominal Yield: What Is It?

The nominal yield, which represents the stated yield on a bond, is a set percentage figure determined for fixed-income instruments. It is computed by dividing the bond’s face value by the annual interest payments. It is also known as the fixed income security’s coupon rate.

This is an interest or “coupon” that an investor is expecting to receive from a bond.

Methods for Determining Nominal Yield

The total of all bond payments made throughout the year is used to calculate the nominal yield in yearly terms. If there is only one annual payment, that is all there is. You must total the yearly installments if the bond pays semi-annually or quarterly. Then, divide the bond’s face or par value by the total annual interest payments.

NOMINAL YIELD =         Total Annual Interest Payments

Face Value of a Bond

Sample Computation 

Imagine a $1,000 bond that pays $25 in semi-annual installments. The nominal yield, what is it?

1. To get the total amount of bond payments paid during the year, add the semi-annual installments first:

$25 x 2 = $50

2. Then, divide that sum by the bond’s face value as follows:

$50 / $1,000 = 0.05

Bond displays a nominal annual yield in the percentage form of 5%.

Components of Nominal Yield Determination

The nominal yield of a bond is based on two factors, which are:

Inflation: A greater nominal yield results from a higher inflation rate. The real interest rate plus the current inflation rate equals the nominal yield.

The issuer’s credit risk profile: Credit rating organizations like CRISIL provide corporations with a financial strength rating. Businesses offer lower nominal yields with stronger credit ratings. Companies with a lower credit rating, however, pose a greater danger. As a result, bond buyers want a higher coupon rate as payment for taking on more risk.

Comparing nominal and current yields

Let us compare the standard yield versus the current yield to discern between the two.

The relationship between interest earned and the bond’s face value is known as nominal or coupon yield. The current yield is the difference between interest earned and the bond’s current price.

The interest rate a shareholder earns is represented by the coupon yield (from a bond). In contrast, the predicted rate of return on a bond is defined by its current yield.

The coupon yield must be comprehensive to represent the bond’s overall return accurately. In addition, the price movement effect—between the bond’s purchase date and the valuation date—must be confirmed by the current yield in comparison.

FINAL INSIGHT

The nominal yield is the foundation for computing the return on a bond. Until the bond is redeemed, the issuer pays the holder a fixed interest, often known as the bond’s coupon rate. The interest paid on a bond each year will increase if the nominal yield is higher. The bond’s name includes the nominal yield.

Nominal yield entirely disregards changes in market interest rates, which causes it to be unable to comprehend the bond’s present market worth. Consequently, using nominal yield to gauge a bond’s actual return must be revised and corrected. It should not be utilized independently but only as a benchmark rate.