Which of the following statements is CORRECT?

a$.$ Bonds are generally regarded as being riskier than common stocks, and therefore bonds have higher required returns.

b$.$ The market price of a bond will always approach its par value as its maturity date approaches, provided the bond's required return remains constant.

c$.$ Bonds issued by larger companies always have lower yields to maturity $($due to less risk$)$ than bonds issued by smaller companies.

d$.$ The total yield on a bond is derived from dividends plus changes in the price of the bond.

e$.$ If the Federal Reserve unexpectedly announces that it expects inflation to increase, then we would probably observe an immediate increase in bond prices.