What Is the Constant Yield Method?
The constant yield method is one way of calculating the accrued discount of bonds that trade in the secondary market. The constant yield method is an alternative to the ratable accrual method, and although it usually results in a lesser accrual of discount than the latter method; it also requires more complex calculations.
Constant Yield Method Explained
For tax purposes, the ratable accrual method and the constant yield method can be used to calculate yield on a discount bond or zero-coupon bond. The ratable accrual method calculates the amount of income or expenses accrued rather than the amount paid, and results in a greater accrual of discount than the constant yield method. It is calculated by dividing the market discount of the bond by the number of days from the bond's maturity date less the purchase date, multiplied by the number of days the investor actually held the bond.
The constant yield calculation is not as easy a method as the ratable accrual method. The constant yield amount is calculated by multiplying the adjusted basis by the yield at issuance and then subtracting the coupon interest. This method is also known as the effective or scientific method of amortization.
A zero-coupon bond pays no interest or coupon over the life of the bond. Instead, these bonds are issued at a discount and bond investors are repaid the face value at maturity. For example, a zero-coupon bond with a face value of $100 is purchased for $75. On the maturity date, the bondholder is repaid the full face value of the zero-coupon bond. Even though these bonds don’t pay coupons, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires that zero coupon bondholders still report the imputed interest earned on the bond as income for tax purposes. A bondholder that uses the constant yield method can determine how much s/he can deduct each year.
How to Calculate
The constant yield method is a method of accretion of bond discounts, which translates to a gradual increase over time given that the value of a discount bond increases over time until it equals the face value. The first step in the constant yield method is determining the yield to maturity (YTM) which is the yield that will be earned on a bond held until maturity. For example, a zero-coupon bond is issued for $75 with a 10-year maturity date. The yield to maturity depends on how frequently the yield is compounded. The IRS allows the taxpayer some flexibility in determining which accrual period to use for computing yield. For simplicity sake, let’s assume it is compounded annually for this example. The YTM can, therefore, be calculated as:
$100 par value = $75 x (1 + r)10
$100/$75 = (1 + r)10
1.3333 = (1 + r)10
r = 2.92%
Let’s assume the coupon rate on this bond is 2% (assuming similar interest paying bonds pay 2%). After 1 year (remember we’re compounding annually), the accrual on the bond will be:
Accrualperiod1 = ($75 x 2.92%) – Coupon interest
Since coupon interest = 2% x $100 = $2
Accrual period1 = $2.19 – $2
Accrual period1 = $0.19
The purchase price of $75 represents the bond’s basis at issuance. However, in subsequent periods, the basis becomes the purchase price plus accrued interest. For example, after year 2, the accrual can be calculated as:
Accrual period2 = [($75 + $0.19) x 2.92%] - $2
Accrual period2 = $0.20
Periods 3 to 10 can be calculated in a similar manner, using the former period’s accrual to calculate the current period’s basis.
Intuitively, a discount bond has a positive accrual; in other words, the basis accretes.
Similarly, interest on a premium bond can also be determined using the constant yield method. A premium bond is issued at a price higher than the par value of the bond. The value of the bond decreases over time until it becomes par at maturity. The imputable interest on a premium bond is negative and the constant yield method amortizes (as opposed to accretes) the bond premiums. A premium bond will, thus, have a negative accrual.
The decision to use either the constant yield method or ratable accrual method must be made when the bond is purchased. This decision is irreversible and is similar to the method the IRS prescribes to computer taxable original issue discount (OID) as outlined in IRS Publication 1212.