Which of the following regarding bond market indexes is FALSE?
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A. B. C. D.Explanation
The correct answer is option B: The bond universe is more stable than the stock universe.
Option A: Unlike stocks, bonds lack continuous price trading data. This statement is true. Unlike stocks, which are actively traded throughout the trading day, bond prices are typically quoted less frequently. Bonds may trade less frequently than stocks, resulting in less continuous price trading data.
Option B: The bond universe is more stable than the stock universe. This statement is false. The bond market is generally considered to be less stable than the stock market. Bonds can experience fluctuations in prices due to changes in interest rates, credit risk, and other factors. Interest rate changes have a significant impact on bond prices, as bond prices and interest rates have an inverse relationship. When interest rates rise, bond prices tend to fall, and vice versa. Therefore, the bond market is subject to volatility, and the stability of the bond universe is relatively lower compared to the stock universe.
Option C: There are more bond issues than stocks. This statement is true. The bond market typically has a larger number of individual bond issues compared to the stock market. Bonds can be issued by governments, municipalities, corporations, and other entities. These entities can issue multiple bonds with different maturities, coupon rates, and other characteristics. In contrast, stocks represent ownership in individual companies, and each company typically has only one type of common stock.
Option D: The price volatility of bonds is constantly changing due to the influence of maturity and market yield on bond durations. This statement is true. The price volatility of bonds is influenced by factors such as maturity and market yield. Bond durations, which measure a bond's sensitivity to changes in interest rates, play a crucial role in determining price volatility. Longer-term bonds generally have higher durations, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Moreover, changes in market yield levels affect bond prices. As market yields fluctuate, the prices of existing bonds in the market change to align with the prevailing yield levels.
In summary, the false statement among the given options is option B: The bond universe is more stable than the stock universe. The bond market is typically subject to greater volatility compared to the stock market.