What is the formula for calculating the yield to maturity (YTM) of a bond?

The formula for calculating the yield to maturity (YTM) of a bond reflects the total returns an investor can expect if the bond is held until maturity, including both the bond's coupon payments and any capital gain or loss incurred if the bond is purchased at a price different from its face value.

The selected formula incorporates several critical components:

• C represents the annual coupon payment,

• F is the face value of the bond,
• P is the current price of the bond, and
• n denotes the number of years until maturity.

By breaking down the formula, it can be understood that the YTM calculation includes the current yield from the annual coupon payments (C/P), and it also considers the annualized gain or loss on the bond by taking into account the difference between the face value and the current market price (F - P) over the remaining years until maturity (n). The formula effectively takes the average of the bond's present value and future value, providing a more accurate picture of the bond's yield given its purchase price and its cash flows.

This comprehensive approach allows investors to gauge the bond's return based on both the income generated through interest payments and the appreciation or depreciation of the bond's