If investors expect interest rates to fall significantly in the future, the yield curve will be inverted. This means that the yield curve has a ________ slope.

If investors expect interest rates to fall significantly in the future, the yield curve will be inverted. This means that the yield curve has a ________ slope.

A) steep upward
B) slight upward
C) flat
D) downward

Answer: D

When short-term interest rates are expected to fall sharply in the future, the yield curve will

When short-term interest rates are expected to fall sharply in the future, the yield curve will 

A) slope up.
B) be flat.
C) be inverted.
D) be an inverted U shape.

Answer: C

An inverted yield curve predicts that short-term interest rates

An inverted yield curve predicts that short-term interest rates 

A) are expected to rise in the future.
B) will rise and then fall in the future.
C) will remain unchanged in the future.
D) will fall in the future.

Answer: D

The inverted U-shaped yield curve in the figure above indicates that the inflation rate is expected to

The inverted U-shaped yield curve in the figure above indicates that the inflation rate is expected to

A) remain constant in the near-term and fall later on.
B) fall moderately in the near-term and rise later on.
C) rise moderately in the near-term and fall later on.
D) remain unchanged in the near-term and rise later on.

Answer: C

The inverted U-shaped yield curve in the figure above indicates that short-term interest rates are expected to

The inverted U-shaped yield curve in the figure above indicates that short-term interest rates are expected to

A) rise in the near-term and fall later on.
B) fall moderately in the near-term and rise later on.
C) fall sharply in the near-term and rise later on.
D) remain unchanged in the near-term and fall later on.

Answer: A

The U-shaped yield curve in the figure above indicates that the inflation rate is expected to

The U-shaped yield curve in the figure above indicates that the inflation rate is expected to 

A) remain constant in the near-term and fall later on.
B) fall sharply in the near-term and rise later on.
C) rise moderately in the near-term and fall later on.
D) remain constant in the near-term and rise later on.

Answer: B

The U-shaped yield curve in the figure above indicates that short-term interest rates are expected to

The U-shaped yield curve in the figure above indicates that short-term interest rates are expected to

A) rise in the near-term and fall later on.
B) fall sharply in the near-term and rise later on.
C) fall moderately in the near-term and rise later on.
D) remain unchanged in the near-term and rise later on.

Answer: B

The steeply upward sloping yield curve in the figure above indicates that ________ interest rates are expected to ________ in the future.

The steeply upward sloping yield curve in the figure above indicates that ________ interest rates are expected to ________ in the future.

A) short-term; rise
B) short-term; fall moderately
C) short-term; remain unchanged
D) long-term; fall moderately

Answer: A

The steeply upward sloping yield curve in the figure above indicates that

The steeply upward sloping yield curve in the figure above indicates that 

A) short-term interest rates are expected to rise in the future.
B) short-term interest rates are expected to fall moderately in the future.
C) short-term interest rates are expected to fall sharply in the future.
D) short-term interest rates are expected to remain unchanged in the future.

Answer: A

Economists' attempts to explain the term structure of interest rates

Economists' attempts to explain the term structure of interest rates

A) illustrate how economists modify theories to improve them when they are inconsistent with the empirical evidence.
B) illustrate how economists continue to accept theories that fail to explain observed behavior of interest rate movements.
C) prove that the real world is a special case that tends to get short shrift in theoretical models.
D) have proved entirely unsatisfactory to date.

Answer: A

According to the liquidity premium theory, a yield curve that is flat means that

According to the liquidity premium theory, a yield curve that is flat means that 

A) bond purchasers expect interest rates to rise in the future.
B) bond purchasers expect interest rates to stay the same.
C) bond purchasers expect interest rates to fall in the future.
D) the yield curve has nothing to do with expectations of bond purchasers.

Answer: C

Particularly attractive feature of the ________ is that it tells you what the market is predicting about future short-term interest rates by just looking at the slope of the yield curve.

Particularly attractive feature of the ________ is that it tells you what the market is predicting about future short-term interest rates by just looking at the slope of the yield curve.

A) segmented markets theory
B) expectations theory
C) liquidity premium theory
D) separable markets theory

Answer: C

The ________ of the term structure states the following: the interest rate on a long-term bond will equal an average of short-term interest rates expected to occur over the life of the long-term bond plus a term premium that responds to supply and demand conditions for that bond.

The ________ of the term structure states the following: the interest rate on a long-term bond will equal an average of short-term interest rates expected to occur over the life of the long-term bond plus a term premium that responds to supply and demand conditions for that bond.

A) segmented markets theory
B) expectations theory
C) liquidity premium theory
D) separable markets theory

Answer: C

According to this theory of the term structure, bonds of different maturities are not substitutes for one another.

According to this theory of the term structure, bonds of different maturities are not substitutes for one another.

A) Segmented markets theory
B) Expectations theory
C) Liquidity premium theory
D) Separable markets theory

Answer: A

In actual practice, short-term interest rates and long-term interest rates usually move together; this is the major shortcoming of the

In actual practice, short-term interest rates and long-term interest rates usually move together; this is the major shortcoming of the

A) segmented markets theory.
B) expectations theory.
C) liquidity premium theory.
D) separable markets theory.

Answer: A

The ________ of the term structure of interest rates states that the interest rate on a long -term bond will equal the average of short-term interest rates that individuals expect to occur over the life of the long-term bond, and investors have no preference for short-term bonds relative to long-term bonds.

The ________ of the term structure of interest rates states that the interest rate on a long -term bond will equal the average of short-term interest rates that individuals expect to occur over the life of the long-term bond, and investors have no preference for short-term bonds relative to long-term bonds.

A) segmented markets theory
B) expectations theory
C) liquidity premium theory
D) separable markets theory

Answer: B

The expectations theory and the segmented markets theory do not explain the facts very well, but they provide the groundwork for the most widely accepted theory of the term structure of interest rates,

The expectations theory and the segmented markets theory do not explain the facts very well, but they provide the groundwork for the most widely accepted theory of the term structure of interest rates,

A) the Keynesian theory.
B) separable markets theory.
C) liquidity premium theory.
D) the asset market approach.

Answer: C

The preferred habitat theory of the term structure is closely related to the

The preferred habitat theory of the term structure is closely related to the 

A) expectations theory of the term structure.
B) segmented markets theory of the term structure.
C) liquidity premium theory of the term structure.
D) the inverted yield curve theory of the term structure.

Answer: C

According to the liquidity premium theory of the term structure, a downward sloping yield curve indicates that short-term interest rates are expected to

According to the liquidity premium theory of the term structure, a downward sloping yield curve indicates that short-term interest rates are expected to

A) rise in the future.
B) remain unchanged in the future.
C) decline moderately in the future.
D) decline sharply in the future.

Answer: D

According to the liquidity premium theory of the term structure, a flat yield curve indicates that short-term interest rates are expected to

According to the liquidity premium theory of the term structure, a flat yield curve indicates that short-term interest rates are expected to

A) rise in the future.
B) remain unchanged in the future.
C) decline moderately in the future.
D) decline sharply in the future.

Answer: C

According to the liquidity premium theory of the term structure, a slightly upward sloping yield curve indicates that short-term interest rates are expected to

According to the liquidity premium theory of the term structure, a slightly upward sloping yield curve indicates that short-term interest rates are expected to

A) rise in the future.
B) remain unchanged in the future.
C) decline moderately in the future.
D) decline sharply in the future.

Answer: B

According to the liquidity premium theory of the term structure, a steeply upward sloping yield curve indicates that short-term interest rates are expected to

According to the liquidity premium theory of the term structure, a steeply upward sloping yield curve indicates that short-term interest rates are expected to

A) rise in the future.
B) remain unchanged in the future.
C) decline moderately in the future.
D) decline sharply in the future.

Answer: A

If the yield curve has a mild upward slope, the liquidity premium theory (assuming a mild preference for shorter-term bonds) indicates that the market is predicting

If the yield curve has a mild upward slope, the liquidity premium theory (assuming a mild preference for shorter-term bonds) indicates that the market is predicting

A) a rise in short-term interest rates in the near future and a decline further out in the future.
B) constant short-term interest rates in the near future and further out in the future.
C) a decline in short-term interest rates in the near future and a rise further out in the future.
D) a decline in short-term interest rates in the near future and an even steeper decline further out in the future.

Answer: B

If the yield curve slope is flat, the liquidity premium theory (assuming a mild preference for shorter-term bonds) indicates that the market is predicting

If the yield curve slope is flat, the liquidity premium theory (assuming a mild preference for shorter-term bonds) indicates that the market is predicting

A) a mild rise in short-term interest rates in the near future and a mild decline further out in the future.
B) constant short-term interest rates in the near future and further out in the future.
C) a mild decline in short-term interest rates in the near future and a continuing mild decline further out in the future.
D) constant short-term interest rates in the near future and a mild decline further out in the future.

Answer: C

If the yield curve is flat for short maturities and then slopes downward for longer maturities, the liquidity premium theory (assuming a mild preference for shorter-term bonds) indicates that the market is predicting.If the yield curve is flat for short maturities and then slopes downward for longer maturities, the liquidity premium theory (assuming a mild preference for shorter-term bonds) indicates that the market is predicting.

If the yield curve is flat for short maturities and then slopes downward for longer maturities, the liquidity premium theory (assuming a mild preference for shorter-term bonds) indicates that the market is predicting.

A) a rise in short-term interest rates in the near future and a decline further out in the future.
B) constant short-term interest rates in the near future and a decline further out in the future.
C) a decline in short-term interest rates in the near future and a rise further out in the future.
D) a decline in short-term interest rates in the near future and an even steeper decline further out in the future.

Answer: D

If 1-year interest rates for the next five years are expected to be 4, 2, 5, 4, and 5 percent, and the 5-year term premium is 1 percent, than the 5-year bond rate will be

If 1-year interest rates for the next five years are expected to be 4, 2, 5, 4, and 5 percent, and the 5-year term premium is 1 percent, than the 5-year bond rate will be

A) 2 percent.
B) 3 percent.
C) 4 percent.
D) 5 percent.

Answer: D

If 1-year interest rates for the next three years are expected to be 4, 2, and 3 percent, and the 3-year term premium is 1 percent, than the 3-year bond rate will be

If 1-year interest rates for the next three years are expected to be 4, 2, and 3 percent, and the 3-year term premium is 1 percent, than the 3-year bond rate will be

A) 1 percent.
B) 2 percent.
C) 3 percent.
D) 4 percent.

Answer: D

The additional incentive that the purchaser of a Treasury security requires to buy a long -term security rather than a short-term security is called the

The additional incentive that the purchaser of a Treasury security requires to buy a long -term security rather than a short-term security is called the

A) risk premium.
B) term premium.
C) tax premium.
D) market premium.

Answer: B

According to the liquidity premium theory of the term structure

According to the liquidity premium theory of the term structure 

A) bonds of different maturities are not substitutes.
B) if yield curves are downward sloping, then short-term interest rates are expected to fall by so much that, even when the positive term premium is added, long-term rates fall below short-term rates.
C) yield curves should never slope downward.
D) interest rates on bonds of different maturities do not move together over time.

Answer: B

According to the liquidity premium theory of the term structure

According to the liquidity premium theory of the term structure

A) because buyers of bonds may prefer bonds of one maturity over another, interest rates on bonds of different maturities do not move together over time.
B) the interest rate on long-term bonds will equal an average of short-term interest rates that people expect to occur over the life of the long-term bonds plus a term premium.
C) because of the positive term premium, the yield curve will not be observed to be downward sloping.
D) the interest rate for each maturity bond is determined by supply and demand for that maturity bond.

Answer: B

According to the segmented markets theory of the term structure

According to the segmented markets theory of the term structure

A) bonds of one maturity are close substitutes for bonds of other maturities, therefore, interest rates on bonds of different maturities move together over time.
B) the interest rate for each maturity bond is determined by supply and demand for that maturity bond.
C) investors' strong preferences for short-term relative to long-term bonds explains why yield curves typically slope downward.
D) because of the positive term premium, the yield curve will not be observed to be downward-sloping.

Answer: B

According to the segmented markets theory of the term structure

According to the segmented markets theory of the term structure 

A) the interest rate on long-term bonds will equal an average of shot-term interest rates that people expect to occur over the life of the long-term bonds.
B) buyers of bonds do not prefer bonds of one maturity over another.
C) interest rates on bonds of different maturities do not move together over time.
D) buyers require an additional incentive to hold long-term bonds.

Answer: C

Over the next three years, the expected path of 1-year interest rates is 4, 1, and 1 percent. The expectations theory of the term structure predicts that the current interest rate on 3-year bond is

Over the next three years, the expected path of 1-year interest rates is 4, 1, and 1 percent. The expectations theory of the term structure predicts that the current interest rate on 3-year bond is

A) 1 percent.
B) 2 percent.
C) 3 percent.
D) 4 percent.

Answer: B

If the expected path of 1-year interest rates over the next five years is 2 percent, 4 percent, 1 percent, 4 percent, and 3 percent, the expectations theory predicts that the bond with the lowest interest rate today is the one with a maturity of

If the expected path of 1-year interest rates over the next five years is 2 percent, 4 percent, 1 percent, 4 percent, and 3 percent, the expectations theory predicts that the bond with the lowest interest rate today is the one with a maturity of

A) one year.
B) two years.
C) three years.
D) four years.

Answer: A

If the expected path of 1-year interest rates over the next five years is 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, and 5 percent, the expectations theory predicts that the bond with the highest interest rate today is the one with a maturity of

If the expected path of 1-year interest rates over the next five years is 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, and 5 percent, the expectations theory predicts that the bond with the highest interest rate today is the one with a maturity of

A) two years.
B) three years.
C) four years.
D) five years.

Answer: D

If the expected path of 1-year interest rates over the next four years is 5 percent, 4 percent, 2 percent, and 1 percent, then the expectations theory predicts that today's interest rate on the four-year bond is

If the expected path of 1-year interest rates over the next four years is 5 percent, 4 percent, 2 percent, and 1 percent, then the expectations theory predicts that today's interest rate on the four-year bond is

A) 1 percent.
B) 2 percent.
C) 3 percent.
D) 4 percent.

Answer: C

If the expected path of one-year interest rates over the next five years is 4 percent, 5 percent, 7 percent, 8 percent, and 6 percent, then the expectations theory predicts that today's interest rate on the five-year bond is

If the expected path of one-year interest rates over the next five years is 4 percent, 5 percent, 7 percent, 8 percent, and 6 percent, then the expectations theory predicts that today's interest rate on the five-year bond is

A) 4 percent.
B) 5 percent.
C) 6 percent.
D) 7 percent.

Answer: C

According to the expectations theory of the term structure

According to the expectations theory of the term structure

A) when the yield curve is steeply upward sloping, short-term inerest rates are expected to remain relatively stable in the future.
B) when the yield curve is downward sloping, short-term interest rates are expected to remain relatively stable in the future.
C) investors have strong preferences for short-term relative to long-term bonds, explaining why yield curves typically slope upward.
D) yield curves should be equally likely to slope downward as slope upward.

Answer: D

According to the expectations theory of the term structure

According to the expectations theory of the term structure

A) the interest rate on long-term bonds will exceed the average of short-term interest rates that people expect to occur over the life of the long-term bonds, because of their preference for short-term securities.
B) interest rates on bonds of different maturities move together over time.
C) buyers of bonds prefer short-term to long-term bonds.
D) buyers require an additional incentive to hold long-term bonds.

Answer: B

An inverted yield curve

An inverted yield curve 

A) slopes up.
B) is flat.
C) slopes down.
D) has a U shape.

Answer: C

When yield curves are flat,

When yield curves are flat, 

A) long-term interest rates are above short-term interest rates.
B) short-term interest rates are above long-term interest rates.
C) short-term interest rates are about the same as long-term interest rates.
D) medium-term interest rates are above both short-term and long-term interest rates.

Answer: C

When yield curves are downward sloping,

When yield curves are downward sloping, 

A) long-term interest rates are above short-term interest rates.
B) short-term interest rates are above long-term interest rates.
C) short-term interest rates are about the same as long-term interest rates.
D) medium-term interest rates are above both short-term and long-term interest rates.

Answer: B

When yield curves are steeply upward sloping,

When yield curves are steeply upward sloping, 

A) long-term interest rates are above short-term interest rates.
B) short-term interest rates are above long-term interest rates.
C) short-term interest rates are about the same as long-term interest rates.
D) medium-term interest rates are above both short-term and long-term interest rates.

Answer: A

Typically, yield curves are

Typically, yield curves are 

A) gently upward sloping.
B) mound shaped.
C) flat.
D) bowl shaped.

Answer: A

Differences in ________ explain why interest rates on Treasury securities are not all the same.

Differences in ________ explain why interest rates on Treasury securities are not all the same. 

A) risk
B) liquidity
C) time to maturity
D) tax characteristics

Answer: C

A plot of the interest rates on default-free government bonds with different terms to maturity is called

A plot of the interest rates on default-free government bonds with different terms to maturity is called

A) a risk-structure curve.
B) a default-free curve.
C) a yield curve.
D) an interest-rate curve.

Answer: C

The term structure of interest rates is

The term structure of interest rates is 

A) the relationship among interest rates of different bonds with the same maturity.
B) the structure of how interest rates move over time.
C) the relationship among the term to maturity of different bonds.
D) the relationship among interest rates on bonds with different maturities.

Answer: D

Explain this difference using the bond supply and demand analysis.

The spread between the interest rates on Baa corporate bonds and U.S. government bonds is very large during the Great Depression years 1930-1933. Explain this difference using the bond supply and demand analysis.

During the Great Depression many businesses failed. The default risk for the corporate bond increased compared to the default-free Treasury bond. The demand for corporate bonds decreased while the demand for Treasury bonds increased resulting in a larger risk premium.

Three factors explain the risk structure of interest rates:

Three factors explain the risk structure of interest rates: 

A) liquidity, default risk, and the income tax treatment of a security.
B) maturity, default risk, and the income tax treatment of a security.
C) maturity, liquidity, and the income tax treatment of a security.
D) maturity, default risk, and the liquidity of a security.

Answer: A

Which of the following statements is true?

Which of the following statements is true?

A) State and local governments cannot default on their bonds.
B) Bonds issued by state and local governments are called municipal bonds.
C) All government issued bonds local, state, and federal are federal income tax exempt.
D) The coupon payment on municipal bonds is usually higher than the coupon payment on Treasury bonds.

Answer: B

Everything else held constant, if the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds were eliminated, then

Everything else held constant, if the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds were eliminated, then

A) the interest rates on municipal bonds would still be less than the interest rate on Treasury bonds.
B) the interest rate on municipal bonds would equal the rate on Treasury bonds.
C) the interest rate on municipal bonds would exceed the rate on Treasury bonds.
D) the interest rates on municipal, Treasury, and corporate bonds would all increase.

Answer: C

Municipal bonds have default risk, yet their interest rates are lower than the rates on default-free Treasury bonds. This suggests that

Municipal bonds have default risk, yet their interest rates are lower than the rates on default-free Treasury bonds. This suggests that

A) the benefit from the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds is less than their default risk.
B) the benefit from the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds equals their default risk.
C) the benefit from the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds exceeds their default risk.
D) Treasury bonds are not default-free.

Answer: C

Everything else held constant, abolishing all taxes will

Everything else held constant, abolishing all taxes will 

A) increase the interest rate on corporate bonds.
B) reduce the interest rate on municipal bonds.
C) increase the interest rate on municipal bonds.
D) increase the interest rate on Treasury bonds.

Answer: C

Everything else held constant, if income tax rates were lowered, then

Everything else held constant, if income tax rates were lowered, then 

A) the interest rate on municipal bonds would fall.
B) the interest rate on Treasury bonds would rise.
C) the interest rate on municipal bonds would rise.
D) the price of Treasury bonds would fall.

Answer: C

Everything else held constant, the interest rate on municipal bonds rises relative to the interest rate on Treasury securities when

Everything else held constant, the interest rate on municipal bonds rises relative to the interest rate on Treasury securities when

A) income tax rates are lowered.
B) income tax rates are raised.
C) municipal bonds become more widely traded.
D) corporate bonds become riskier.

Answer: A

Which of the following statements are true?

Which of the following statements are true?

A) An increase in tax rates will increase the demand for Treasury bonds, lowering their interest rates.
B) Because the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds was of little benefit to bond holders when tax rates were low, they had higher interest rates than U.S. government bonds before World War II.
C) Interest rates on municipal bonds will be higher than comparable bonds without the tax exemption.
D) Because coupon payments on municipal bonds are exempt from federal income tax, the expected after-tax return on them will be higher for individuals in lower income tax brackets.

Answer: B

Everything else held constant, an increase in marginal tax rates would likely have the effect of ________ the demand for municipal bonds, and ________ the demand for U.S. government bonds.

Everything else held constant, an increase in marginal tax rates would likely have the effect of ________ the demand for municipal bonds, and ________ the demand for U.S. government bonds.

A) increasing; increasing
B) increasing; decreasing
C) decreasing; increasing
D) decreasing; decreasing

Answer: B

The risk premium on corporate bonds reflects the fact that corporate bonds have a higher default risk and are ________ U.S. Treasury bonds.

The risk premium on corporate bonds reflects the fact that corporate bonds have a higher default risk and are ________ U.S. Treasury bonds.

A) less liquid than
B) less speculative than
C) tax-exempt unlike
D) lower-yielding than

Answer: A

An increase in the liquidity of corporate bonds will ________ the price of corporate bonds and ________ the yield of Treasury bonds, everything else held constant.

An increase in the liquidity of corporate bonds will ________ the price of corporate bonds and ________ the yield of Treasury bonds, everything else held constant.

A) increase; increase
B) reduce; reduce
C) increase; reduce
D) reduce; increase

Answer: A

A decrease in the liquidity of corporate bonds, other things being equal, shifts the demand curve for corporate bonds to the ________ and the demand curve for Treasury bonds shifts to the ________.

A decrease in the liquidity of corporate bonds, other things being equal, shifts the demand curve for corporate bonds to the ________ and the demand curve for Treasury bonds shifts to the ________.

A) right; right
B) right; left
C) left; left
D) left; right

Answer: D

When the Treasury bond market becomes more liquid, other things equal, the demand curve for corporate bonds shifts to the ________ and the demand curve for Treasury bonds shifts to the ________.

When the Treasury bond market becomes more liquid, other things equal, the demand curve for corporate bonds shifts to the ________ and the demand curve for Treasury bonds shifts to the ________.

A) right; right
B) right; left
C) left; right
D) left; left

Answer: C

Corporate bonds are not as liquid as government bonds because

Corporate bonds are not as liquid as government bonds because

A) fewer corporate bonds for any one corporation are traded, making them more costly to sell.
B) the corporate bond rating must be calculated each time they are traded.
C) corporate bonds are not callable.
D) corporate bonds cannot be resold.

Answer: A

Which of the following statements are true?

Which of the following statements are true? 

A) A liquid asset is one that can be quickly and cheaply converted into cash.
B) The demand for a bond declines when it becomes less liquid, decreasing the interest rate spread between it and relatively more liquid bonds.
C) The differences in bond interest rates reflect differences in default risk only.
D) The corporate bond market is the most liquid bond market.

Answer: A

Risk premiums on corporate bonds tend to ________ during business cycle expansions and ________ during recessions, everything else held constant.

Risk premiums on corporate bonds tend to ________ during business cycle expansions and ________ during recessions, everything else held constant.

A) increase; increase
B) increase; decrease
C) decrease; increase
D) decrease; decrease

Answer: C

During the Great Depression years 1930-1933 there was a very high rate of business failures and defaults, we would expect the risk premium for ________ bonds to be very high.

During the Great Depression years 1930-1933 there was a very high rate of business failures and defaults, we would expect the risk premium for ________ bonds to be very high.

A) U.S. Treasury
B) corporate Aaa
C) municipal
D) corporate Baa

Answer: D

The spread between interest rates on low quality corporate bonds and U.S. government bonds

The spread between interest rates on low quality corporate bonds and U.S. government bonds 

A) widened significantly during the Great Depression.
B) narrowed significantly during the Great Depression.
C) narrowed moderately during the Great Depression.
D) did not change during the Great Depression.

Answer: A

If you have a very low tolerance for risk, which of the following bonds would you be least likely to hold in your portfolio?

If you have a very low tolerance for risk, which of the following bonds would you be least likely to hold in your portfolio?

A) a U.S. Treasury bond
B) a municipal bond
C) a corporate bond with a rating of Aaa
D) a corporate bond with a rating of Baa

Answer: D

During a "flight to quality"

During a "flight to quality" 

A) the spread between Aaa and Baa bonds increases.
B) the spread between Aaa and Baa bonds decreases.
C) the spread between Aaa and Baa bonds is not affected.
D) the change in the spread between Aaa and Baa bonds cannot be predicted.

Answer: A

The bankruptcy of the Enron Corporation increased the spread between Baa and Aaa rated bonds. This is due to

The bankruptcy of the Enron Corporation increased the spread between Baa and Aaa rated bonds. This is due to

A) a reduction in risk.
B) a reduction in maturity.
C) a flight to quality.
D) a flight to liquidity.

Answer: C

The bankruptcy of the Enron Corporation

The bankruptcy of the Enron Corporation 

A) did not affect the corporate bond market.
B) increased the perceived riskiness of Treasury securities.
C) reduced the Baa-Aaa spread.
D) increased the Baa-Aaa spread.

Answer: D

Which of the following short-term securities has the lowest interest rate?

Which of the following short-term securities has the lowest interest rate? 

A) Banker's acceptances
B) U.S. Treasury bills
C) Negotiable certificates of deposit
D) Commercial paper

Answer: B

Which of the following long-term bonds has the highest interest rate?

Which of the following long-term bonds has the highest interest rate? 

A) Corporate Baa bonds
B) U.S. Treasury bonds
C) Corporate Aaa bonds
D) Municipal bonds

Answer: A

Which of the following bonds would have the highest default risk?

Which of the following bonds would have the highest default risk? 

A) Municipal bonds
B) Investment-grade bonds
C) U.S. Treasury bonds
D) Junk bonds

Answer: D

Bonds with relatively low risk of default are called ________ securities and have a rating of Baa (or BBB) and above; bonds with ratings below Baa (or BBB) have a higher default risk and are called ________.

Bonds with relatively low risk of default are called ________ securities and have a rating of Baa (or BBB) and above; bonds with ratings below Baa (or BBB) have a higher default risk and are called ________.

A) investment grade; lower grade
B) investment grade; junk bonds
C) high quality; lower grade
D) high quality; junk bonds

Answer: B

Bonds with relatively high risk of default are called

Bonds with relatively high risk of default are called 

A) Brady bonds.
B) junk bonds.
C) zero coupon bonds.
D) investment grade bonds.

Answer: B

Everything else held constant, if the federal government were to guarantee today that it will pay creditors if a corporation goes bankrupt in the future, the interest rate on corporate bonds will ________ and the interest rate on Treasury securities will ________.

Everything else held constant, if the federal government were to guarantee today that it will pay creditors if a corporation goes bankrupt in the future, the interest rate on corporate bonds will ________ and the interest rate on Treasury securities will ________.

A) increase; increase
B) increase; decrease
C) decrease; increase
D) decrease; decrease

Answer: C