Key Terms: Chapter Thirteen

annuities

Streams of level (i.e., the same amount each period) payments occurring on regular intervals

bonds payable

An obligation divided into transferable units requiring the issuer to make periodic interest payments and an eventual repayment of the face amount

callable bond

A bond that provides the issuer an option to reacquire the bonds before scheduled maturity at a preset price

commitments

Promises to engage in some future action; not necessarily creating a recordable accounting liability but potentially necessitating enhanced disclosure

compound interest

Interest calculations that provide for periodic inclusion of accumulated interest into the base on which interest is calculated; "interest on the interest"

convertible bond

A bond that may be converted by the holder into stock of the issuing company

coupon bond

A bond that has detachable coupons that are exchanged for interest payments; historically popular but falling into disuse

debenture bond

A bond that lacks specific collateral; payment is only assured by the general faith and creditworthiness of the issuer

effective-interest amortization

A theoretically preferable method for amortizing premiums and discounts on bonds; interest expense is a constant percentage of the bonds ever-changing carrying value

future value

The amount to which an interest-earning amount is expected to grow over a stipulated time period at a given interest rate

junk bond

A bond that is issued by a company of low credit worthiness, and entails substantial risk of nonpayment; generally offers a high interest rate to compensate for the high risk

nonredeemable bond

A bond that cannot be paid off before scheduled maturity

nonrefundable bond

A bond that cannot be paid off with the proceeds of a new debt issue

present value

The calculated value today of an amount to be received in the future, based upon an assumed interest rate (the reciprocal of future value)

registered bond

A bond for which ownership records are maintained, and interest is paid to the registered owner

secured bond

A bond that provides specific assets as collateral to help assure the payment stream

serial bond

A bond issue that has multiple repayment dates, rather than the entire issue maturing at one fixed maturity date

simple interest

Interest calculations that do not provide for periodic inclusion of accumulated interest into the base on which interest is calculated

sinking fund bond

A bond issue that requires periodic setting aside of monies into a separate fund to provide for eventual repayment of the debt at maturity