Determining Bond Prices, Interest Rates, and Financial Statement Effects Deere & Companys 2018 10-K reports the following footnote relating to long-term debt for its equipment operations subsidiary. Deeres borrowings include $300 million, 7.125% notes, due in 2031 (highlighted below). Long-term borrowings at October 28 consisted of the following in millions of dollars:

Notes and Debentures	2018	2017
4.375% notes due 2019		$750
8-1/2% debentures due 2022	$105	105
2.60% notes due 2022	1,000	1,000
6.55% debentures due 2028	200	200
5.375% notes due 2029	500	500
8.10% debentures due 2030	250	250
7.125% notes due 2031	300	300
3.90% notes due 2042	1,250	1,250
Other notes	1,190	1,136
Total	$4,714	$5,491

A recent price quote (from Markets Insider) on Deeres 7.125% notes follows.

Type	Issuer	Price	Coupon (%)	Maturity		Yield (%)	Fitch Rating	Callable
Corp	Deere & CO	131.03	7.125	2031		2.82%	A2	No

This price quote indicates that Deeres 7.125% notes have a market price of 131.03 (131.03% of face value), resulting in a yield of 2.82%.

(a) Assuming that these notes were originally issued at par value, what does the market price reveal about interest rate changes since Deere issued its notes? (Assume that Deere's credit rating has remained the same.)

Interest rates have remained the same.

There is not enough information.

Interest rates have increased.

Interest rates have declined.

(b) Does the change in interest rates since the issuance of these notes affect the amount of interest expense that Deere reports in its income statement? Explain.

Yes, the decline in interest rates results in a decline in interest expense.

Because accounting is inherently conservative, declines in interest rates are not reflected in a reduction of interest expense. However, the increase in interest expense resulting from an increase in rates is recognized.

No, the change in interest rates since Deere issued the notes does not affect interest expense.

The change in interest rates only affects the required payment on the liability and, thus, cash flow.

(c) How much cash would Deere have to pay to repurchase the 7.125% notes at the quoted market price of 131.03%? (Assume no interest is owed when Deere repurchases the notes.)

Round your answer to two decimal places. $Answer

million How would the repurchase affect Deere's current income?

The repurchase would result in a loss on repurchase of debentures, which would lower current pre-tax income.

Cash and bonds payable both decrease by the same amount. No gain or loss is recognized.

The repurchase only affects cash flow, not income.

Income is not affected because the liability has been reported at fair value since inception. As a result, the repurchase price is equal to the book value and no gain or loss is recognized.

(d) Assuming that the notes remain outstanding until their maturity, at what market price will the notes sell on their due date in 2031? $Answer

million