Sheryl

Understanding Bond Basics: What is Yield to Maturity (YTM)? Yield to maturity (YTM) represents the total return an investor can expect if they hold a bond until it matures. It accounts for all interest payments and the difference between the purchase price and the bond’s face value. Imagine you buy a bond for $950 that … Read more

Decoding the 3-Month Eurodollar Rate Anticipation The 3-month forward LIBOR curve is a graphical representation of future interest rate expectations in the Eurodollar market. Understanding this curve requires defining LIBOR and its function. LIBOR, or the London Interbank Offered Rate, was a benchmark interest rate that indicated the average rate at which major global banks … Read more

Understanding the Curved Nature of Production Possibility Frontiers The Production Possibility Frontier (PPF) is a graphical representation of the trade-offs an economy faces when allocating resources between the production of two goods. It illustrates the maximum quantity of one good that can be produced for any given quantity of the other good. While a straight-line … Read more

Understanding Treasury Bills and Their Appeal Treasury Bills, or T-bills, are short-term debt securities issued by the U.S. government. They are considered one of the safest investments available. The U.S. government backs them, minimizing the risk of default. This makes them ideal for risk-averse investors and those seeking short-term stability. T-bills offer a risk-free rate … Read more

Decoding the Two-Year Treasury Yield Understanding what is the 2 year treasury yield is crucial for anyone navigating the financial markets. In its simplest form, the two-year treasury yield represents the return an investor receives for holding a U.S. government bond that matures in two years. Think of it as the interest rate the U.S. … Read more

Decoding the Value of Yesterday’s Francs The French Franc, a currency of significant historical importance, once played a vital role in the French economy. Understanding the exchange value of “20 french francs to usd” requires acknowledging its history. While the Franc is no longer in circulation, having been replaced by the Euro, physical coins and … Read more

Understanding the Federal Funds Rate and its Significance The federal funds rate is the target rate that the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) sets for overnight lending between banks. This rate significantly influences borrowing costs across the economy. A higher federal funds rate increases borrowing costs for businesses and consumers, potentially slowing economic growth and … Read more

Understanding the Landscape of Small-Cap Stocks The Russell 2000 index serves as a benchmark representing the performance of approximately 2000 of the smallest U.S. publicly traded companies. These companies typically fall under the category of small-cap stocks. What companies are in russell 2000? Small-cap stocks are generally defined as those with a relatively small market … Read more

Understanding the Concept of Empirical Probability Empirical probability, also known as experimental probability, is determined by observing the outcomes of an experiment or real-world event. It differs significantly from theoretical probability, which relies on mathematical formulas and assumptions. For instance, theoretical probability suggests a 50% chance of a coin landing on heads. However, empirical probability … Read more

Calculating the Number of Payment Periods in Excel Excel is a powerful tool for financial calculations, offering a range of functions that can greatly assist with budgeting and planning. Understanding these functions is crucial for making informed financial decisions. One particularly valuable function is NPER, which stands for “Number of Periods.” Knowing what does nper … Read more