Calculating interest rates

The real risk-free rate (r*) is 2.8% and is expected to remain constant. Inflation is expected to be 5% per year for each of the next two years and 4% thereafter.

The maturity risk premium (MRP) is determined from the formula: 0.1(t 1)%, where t is the securitys maturity. The liquidity premium (LP) on all Berth Construction Inc.s bonds is 1.05%. The following table shows the current relationship between bond ratings and default risk premiums (DRP):

Rating	Default Risk Premium
U.S. Treasury
AAA	0.60%
AA	0.80%
A	1.05%
BBB	1.45%

Berth Construction Inc. issues 9-year, AA-rated bonds. What is the yield on one of these bonds? Disregard cross-product terms; that is, if averaging is required, use the arithmetic average.

8.87%

9.67%

8.62%

5.45%

Based on your understanding of the determinants of interest rates, if everything else remains the same, which of the following will be true?

An AAA-rated bond has less default risk than a BB-rated bond.

The yield on an AAA-rated bond will be higher than the yield on a BB-rated bond.