Bonds sold above face value are referred to as premium bonds. This occurs when a bond's market price exceeds its face, or par, value. The primary reason a bond sells at a premium is that its coupon rate (the interest rate it pays) is higher than the prevailing market interest rates for similar bonds. Investors are willing to pay more for these bonds because they offer higher returns relative to current market conditions.
For example, if a bond has a face value of $1,000 and pays a coupon rate of 5%, but market interest rates drop to 3%, the bond becomes more attractive. Investors seeking higher yields are willing to pay more than $1,000 to acquire it, resulting in a premium price.
Premium bonds(888.951.8680) can also result from the issuer's strong creditworthiness or increased demand for specific bonds. While they offer higher coupon payments, investors need to consider the bond's yield to maturity (YTM), which accounts for the premium paid. YTM reflects the actual return, including the gradual loss of the premium as the bond approaches maturity, when it is redeemed at face value.
Investors must assess whether the higher coupon payments justify the premium cost, considering factors like interest rate trends, bond duration, and reinvestment risk.
