Two Students Are Walking by a Department Store Window That

question 225

Essay

Two students are walking by a department store window that has on display a $400 dress. The English major declares, "I want that dress but can't afford it." The economics major replies, "No, you don't." Explain the logic of this reply.

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Definitions:

Zero-Coupon Bond

A type of bond that is issued at a discount and does not pay periodic interest payments, only the face value at maturity.

Forward Interest Rate

An interest rate agreed upon now for a loan that will start at a future date, often indicative of market expectations for future interest rates.

Par Value

The nominal or face value of a stock or bond, which is the original value assigned when the security is issued.

Yield Curve

A graph showing the relationship between interest rates of bonds of equal credit quality but different maturities, often indicating economic expectations.