Laurel, Inc., and Hardy Corp. both have 7 percent coupon bonds outstanding, with semiannual interest payments, and both are priced at par value. The Laurel, Inc., bond has four years to maturity, whereas the Hardy Corp. bond has 15 years to maturity. If interest rates suddenly rise by 2 percent, what is the percentage change in the price of these bonds

Laurel bond % change = -6.6%

Hardy bond % change = -16.3%

Explanation:

current bond price $1,000

interest rate 7%

Laurel bond matures in 4 years, 8 semiannual payments

Hardy bonds matures in 15 years, 30 semiannual payments

if market interest increases to 9%

Laurel bond:

$1,000 / (1 + 4.5%)⁸ = $703.19

$35 x 6.59589 (annuity factor, 4.5%, 8 periods) = $230.86

market price = $934.05

% change = -6.6%

Hardy bond:

$1,000 / (1 + 4.5%)³⁰ = $267.00

$35 x 16.28889(annuity factor, 4.5%, 30 periods) = $570.11

market price = $837.11

% change = -16.3%

d. automatic stabilizers.

explanation: