Yield Ratio

Yield ratio

The quotient of two bond yields.

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Yield Ratio

A comparison of the expected yield of one bond to the expected yield of another. A yield ratio is important when deciding whether to invest in one bond or another; generally, the one with the higher yield wins out. However, it is important to take into account the after tax basis when taking the yield ratio of a corporate bond and a tax-exempt municipal bond. A corporate bond yields less than its stated interest rate because of taxation, whereas a tax-exempt municipal bond does not. Thus, a municipal bond paying a lower interest rate will often net the bondholder more than a corporate bond with a slightly higher interest rate, depending upon one's tax bracket.