A zero coupon bond that matures in 6 months has a face value of $1,000.
The firm that issued this bond is trying to forecast its income statement for the year. It needs to calculate the interest expense of the bond this year.
The bond is highly illiquid and hasn't traded on the market. But the finance department have assessed the bond's fair value to be $950 and this is its book value right now at the start of the year.
Assume that:
- the firm uses the 'effective interest method' to calculate interest expense.
- the market value of the bond is the same as the book value.
- the firm is only interested in this bond's interest expense. Do not include the interest expense for a new bond issued to refinance the current one, as would normally happen.
What will be the interest expense of the bond this year for the purpose of forecasting the income statement?