Corporate bonds: fixed versus stochastic coupons—an empirical study

This paper studies a model proposed by Baaquie (Phys A Stat Mech Appl 541:123367, 2020b) for which a corporate bond pays coupons that are stochastic—depending on the valuation of the issuer. It is shown that by considering bonds with stochastic coupons that are ‘equivalent’ to fixed coupon bonds (defined in the paper), the price of the fixed coupon bond can be accurately explained. The proposed model of stochastic coupons has a built-in hedge for the issuer—and has the feature of profit and loss sharing between investor and issuer making it a viable instrument for Islamic finance.