how to calculate value of a bond

The value of the bond or debenture is the FAIR (INTRINSIC / ECOCOMIC) VALUE which
requires that all the future expected cash flows of the bond be discounted to its present
value.
Formula
Valuation of bond is actually the practical application of time value of money i.e. discounting the
future values to present values.
The bond valuation formula is:
Present value of annuity of

Present value of

Value of bond =

+
interest payments

principal amount

OR
1 (1 + r) -t
V =C*

F
+

(1 +r) t

Where
V = Value of the bond
C = Coupon or interest rate payable on bond in regular intervals
r = required rate of return of investor. This is minimum interest rate required to attract the
investor
F = Face or Par value of the bond which is payable on bond maturity
t = is the time / tenure of the bond remaining in maturity
Stepwise process of valuation of bond
The formula can best be explained with the help of steps involved in valuation of bonds and
debentures.

Step 1: Determine the future cash flows

Bonds and debentures future cash flows consist of two components:

Principal amount: This the Par / Face value written on the instrument of the bond. This
amount is receivable at maturity therefore will be discounted back to present value using
the simple interest formula as shown above.

Interest amount: Besides principal amount bond holder is entitled to receive coupon /
interest payments at regular intervals until the bond matures e.g. annually or semi annually.
A better approach for discounting interest payments is to use annuity formula because
these interest payments fulfill the definition of annuity i.e. equal amount of payments at
regular intervals of time.
Step 2: Determine the discount rate
Determine the rate r for discounting the cash flows determined in step 1. This discount rate is
called investors required rate of return. This rate is necessary to attract the investor otherwise he
will invest in the bonds of similar risk having better required rate of return. The method of
calculating the required rate of return is explained here.
Step3: Discounting the expected cash flows
Once expected cash flows of bond / debenture and the required rate of return to discount them is
determined. The next step is simple application of time value of money.

Discount the principal amount using simple interest formula.

Discount the interest payments using annuity formula.

Example
Suppose, a 7% bond with face value of $100 pays interest annually and will mature in 5 years.
The required rate of return of investor is 8%. Calculate the value of the bond.

Solution
Step 1: Determine the expected cash flows:

Principal amount is equal to face value which will be received at maturity i.e. $100.

Interest payments are equal to 7% * $ 100 = $ 7 per year. Since maturity is 5 years total
amount receivable will be $ 7 * 5 = $35.

Step 2: Determine the discount rate:

Discount rate is the required rate of return of investor which is given in this case i.e. 8%.
Otherwise we have to calculate this rate as well.
Step 3: Discount the expected cash flows:
Now using all the information in the formula:
1 (1 + r) -t
V =C*

F
+
(1 +r) t

r
1 (1 + 0.08) -5
V =7*

100
+

0.08

(1 +0.08) 5

V = 27.95+68.05
V = $ 96