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The Global Insight

How do you find the price of a zero coupon bond?

Author

Sarah Garza

Updated on February 12, 2026

The basic method for calculating a zero coupon bond’s price is a simplification of the present value (PV) formula. The formula is price = M / (1 + i)^n where: M = maturity value or face value. i = required interest yield divided by 2.

Which one of the following are zero coupon bonds?

When the bond reaches maturity, its investor receives its par (or face) value. Examples of zero-coupon bonds include US Treasury bills, US savings bonds, long-term zero-coupon bonds, and any type of coupon bond that has been stripped of its coupons.

What is the difference between a zero-coupon bond and a 10 %- coupon bond?

The difference between a regular bond and a zero-coupon bond is the payment of interest, otherwise known as coupons. A regular bond pays interest to bondholders, while a zero-coupon bond does not issue such interest payments.

What are the risks of zero coupon bonds?

Like virtually all bonds, zero-coupon bonds are subject to interest-rate risk if you sell before maturity. If interest rates rise, the value of your zero-coupon bond on the secondary market will likely fall.

Why are zero-coupon bonds always sold at a discount but coupon bonds are not?

Payment of interest, or coupons, is the key differentiator between a xero-coupon and regular bond. A zero-coupon bond, also known as an accrual bond, is a debt security that does not pay interest but instead trades at a deep discount, rendering a profit at maturity, when the bond is redeemed for its full face value.

Does a zero coupon bond have a coupon rate?

A bond’s coupon rate is the percentage of its face value payable as interest each year. A bond with a coupon rate of zero, therefore, is one that pays no interest. However, this does not mean the bond yields no profit. Instead, a zero coupon bond generates a return at maturity.

Do zero coupon bonds have higher interest rate risk?

Zero coupon bonds are more sensitive to interest rate swings than bonds which pay interest semiannually because all the interest payments of zero coupon bonds are accumulated and paid at maturity. The longer the maturity of a bond, the greater the volatility.

Why would a company issue a zero coupon bond?

A zero-coupon bond is a discounted investment that can help you save for a specific future goal. A zero-coupon bond doesn’t pay periodic interest, but instead sells at a deep discount, paying its full face value at maturity. Zeros-coupon bonds are ideal for long-term, targeted financial needs at a foreseeable time.

Can a company issue zero-coupon bonds?

Zero-coupon bonds can be issued from a variety of sources, including the U.S. Treasury, state and local government entities, and corporations. Most zero coupon bonds trade on the major exchanges.

Are zero-coupon bonds riskier?

Like virtually all bonds, zero-coupon bonds are subject to interest-rate risk if you sell before maturity. Long-term zeros can be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, exposing them to what is known as duration risk. Also, zeros may not keep pace with inflation.

How much does a 10 year zero coupon bond cost?

So a 10 year zero coupon bond paying 10% interest with a $1000 face value would cost you $385.54 today. In the opposite direction, you can compute the yield to maturity of a zero coupon bond with a regular YTM calculator. Zero coupon bonds are yet another interesting security in the fixed income world.

How to calculate imputed interest on zero coupon bonds?

Interest is compounded semi-annually throughout the duration, or at the end of each fraction of a half-year for any fractional years remaining. Usage instructions, formula & other advice is shown underneath the calculator. Calculate Imputed Interest by Year?

Why are zero coupon bonds sensitive to inflation?

Zero coupon bonds are particularly sensitive to interest rates, so they are also sensitive to inflation risks. Inflation both erodes the value of the dollars the bond will eventually pay. In the United States, you need to impute the interest for some zero coupon bonds to pay taxes in the current year (possibly also for state or local taxes).

What do you call a bond that does not pay a coupon?

Since zero coupon bonds do not pay a coupon, any capital appreciation remains in the bond. Since they sell at a discount to their stated maturation value they are known as discount bonds.