How to use YIELD function in Excel?

The `YIELD` function in Excel is used to calculate the yield of a security that pays periodic interest, such as a bond. This function is particularly useful for investors assessing the return on a bond investment. Here’s how you can use the `YIELD` function in Excel:

Syntax

YIELD(settlement, maturity, rate, pr, redemption, frequency, [basis])

Parameters

  • settlement: The settlement date of the security. This is the date after the issue date when the security is traded to the buyer.
  • maturity: The maturity date of the security, which is the date when the security expires.
  • rate: The annual coupon rate of the security.
  • pr: The price of the security per $100 face value.
  • redemption: The redemption value of the security per $100 face value.
  • frequency: The number of coupon payments per year. Typically, this is 1 for annual, 2 for semiannual, or 4 for quarterly payments.
  • [basis]: The day count basis to use. This is optional and can be:
    • 0 or omitted: US (NASD) 30/360
    • 1: Actual/actual
    • 2: Actual/360
    • 3: Actual/365
    • 4: European 30/360

Example

Let’s assume you have a bond with the following details:

  • Settlement date: January 1, 2022
  • Maturity date: January 1, 2032
  • Annual coupon rate: 5%
  • Price: $95
  • Redemption value: $100
  • Frequency: 2 (semiannual payment)
  • Basis: 0 (US (NASD) 30/360)

The formula to calculate the yield would be:

=YIELD(DATE(2022, 1, 1), DATE(2032, 1, 1), 0.05, 95, 100, 2, 0)

When you enter this formula into Excel, it will return the yield of the bond based on the given parameters.

Key Points

  • Make sure all date values are entered using the `DATE` function to avoid errors.
  • The settlement and maturity dates should be actual dates and must be entered in Excel as date serial numbers.
  • Ensure that the frequency and basis are entered correctly based on the specific bond you are analyzing.
  • `YIELD` function assumes periodic interest payments and uses a day count convention to compute the yield.

Using this function helps investors determine the expected annual return of a bond given its current market price and other features.

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