<p>First as already mentioned in the other answer the second formula for yield to maturity (YTM) works only for zero coupon bond.</p>
<p>For a non-zero coupon bond YTM would be given by solving the first formula for YTM (r). However, unfortunately this has to be done numerically as there is no simple formula to do it analytically see discussion in Berk et al Fundamentals of Corporate finance 197.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>So, how can we calculate the market value of a bond if we need to know YTM, but YTM is itself dependent on the market value of the bond?</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>I know information about the bond's coupon rate, face value, coupon frequency, and time until the maturity date.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Without having data on market value of bond that is impossible. Just knowing coupon rate, face value, coupon frequency, and time until the maturity date is insufficient information to calculate YTM.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-06-04T08:02:43.197Z
2021-06-04T08:02:43.197Z
1muflon1
<p>The second equation is only applicable to zero coupon bonds, so is not relevant here.  You can see that by putting C=0 in the first equation.   Then the first equation tells you exactly how to calculate Value given YTM.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-06-04T03:04:40.183Z
2021-06-04T03:04:40.183Z
dm63
<p>According to <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bond-valuation.asp" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this article</a>, the market value of a bond can be calculated using this equation:</p>
<img src="https://i.sstatic.net/JGEEV.png" height="175">
<hr />
<p>However, the <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/y/yieldtomaturity.asp" rel="nofollow noreferrer">YTM</a> itself is dependent on market value:</p>
<img src="https://i.sstatic.net/mXBvc.png" height="65">
<hr />
<p>So, how can we calculate the market value of a bond if we need to know YTM, but YTM is itself dependent on the market value of the bond?</p>
<p>I know information about the bond's coupon rate, face value, coupon frequency, and time until the maturity date.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-06-04T01:05:15.433Z
[Similar question](https://economics.stackexchange.com/questions/19230/how-do-you-calcualte-yield-to-maturity-given-only-the-coupon-rate-and-current-r) although it didn't solve my problem.
applemonkey496
<bonds>
How can I calculate the present value of a bond using YTM?
applemonkey496
# How can I calculate the present value of a bond using YTM?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-06-04)

According to [this article](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bond-valuation.asp), the market value of a bond can be calculated using this equation:

![](https://i.sstatic.net/JGEEV.png)

---

However, the [YTM](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/y/yieldtomaturity.asp) itself is dependent on market value:

![](https://i.sstatic.net/mXBvc.png)

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So, how can we calculate the market value of a bond if we need to know YTM, but YTM is itself dependent on the market value of the bond?

I know information about the bond's coupon rate, face value, coupon frequency, and time until the maturity date.

**Tags:** bonds
> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: [Similar question](https://economics.stackexchange.com/questions/19230/how-do-you-calcualte-yield-to-maturity-given-only-the-coupon-rate-and-current-r) although it didn't solve my problem.  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2021-06-04. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

First as already mentioned in the other answer the second formula for yield to maturity (YTM) works only for zero coupon bond.

For a non-zero coupon bond YTM would be given by solving the first formula for YTM (r). However, unfortunately this has to be done numerically as there is no simple formula to do it analytically see discussion in Berk et al Fundamentals of Corporate finance 197.

> So, how can we calculate the market value of a bond if we need to know YTM, but YTM is itself dependent on the market value of the bond?

> I know information about the bond's coupon rate, face value, coupon frequency, and time until the maturity date.

Without having data on market value of bond that is impossible. Just knowing coupon rate, face value, coupon frequency, and time until the maturity date is insufficient information to calculate YTM.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2021-06-04. Score: 1

The second equation is only applicable to zero coupon bonds, so is not relevant here. You can see that by putting C=0 in the first equation. Then the first equation tells you exactly how to calculate Value given YTM.


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