What does a bond's coupon rate represent?

The coupon rate of a bond represents the annual interest payment that the bondholder receives relative to the bond's face value (or par value). Specifically, it is expressed as a percentage and indicates how much interest is paid to bondholders each year based on the bond's initial value at issuance.

For example, if a bond has a face value of $1,000 and a coupon rate of 5%, the bondholder receives $50 annually as interest. This rate is crucial for investors as it helps them assess the income they will generate from holding the bond compared to other investments. Understanding the coupon rate assists in evaluating the bond's attractiveness relative to prevailing interest rates and other financial instruments.

The other choices do not accurately describe the coupon rate. Total return encompasses more than just the coupon payments, often including capital gains or losses as well. The risk associated with the bond issuer pertains to the creditworthiness of the issuer rather than the coupon payment. Lastly, the selling price of the bond in the market does not define the coupon rate; it reflects the price at which the bond is currently trading, which may fluctuate due to various factors such as interest rates and market sentiment.