1. Short term interest rates are more volatile than long-term interest rates, so short-term bond prices are more sensitive to interest rate changes than are long-term bond prices. Is this statement true or false? Explain.
2. The rate of return on a bond held to its maturity date is called the bonds yield to maturity. If interest rates in the economy rise after a bond have been issued, what will happen to the bond’s price and to its YTM? Does the length of time to maturity affect the extent to which a given change in interest rates will affect the bond’s price? Why or why not?
3. A sinking fund can be set up in one of two ways. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each procedure from the viewpoint of both the firm and its bondholders