Understanding Yield to Maturity (YTM)
- Coupon Rate vs YTM: The Coupon Rate is fixed forever (e.g. 8% on ₹1000 = ₹80 a year). However, if you buy this bond in the secondary market for ₹900 (a discount), your true return (YTM) is much higher than 8%, because you not only get ₹80 a year, but you also make a ₹100 capital gain when the bond matures and pays you back the full ₹1000 face value.
- Inverse Relationship: Bond prices and yields have an inverse relationship. When interest rates in the economy rise, the prices of existing bonds fall (trading at a discount). When interest rates fall, existing bonds become more valuable (trading at a premium).
- Current Yield vs YTM: The Current Yield only measures the annual coupon divided by the current price. It ignores the capital gain or loss you will experience when the bond matures. YTM is the superior metric because it accounts for both the interest payments and the capital appreciation/depreciation.