Excel YIELD Function: Syntax, Examples & Tips

The YIELD function calculates a bond's yield based on settlement, maturity, rate, price, redemption, frequency, and basis inputs.
Excel
=YIELD(settlement, maturity, rate, pr, redemption, frequency, [basis])

One free generation or explanation per browser, shared across Excel and Google Sheets. Account usage limits apply afterward.

Need more than a single YIELD formula? Try our free AI for Excel — it reads your entire spreadsheet, answers questions in plain English, and builds charts and analysis in the same chat.

On this page
  1. Parameters
  2. What is a YIELD Formula in Excel?
  3. A Practical Example
  4. YIELD Formula
  5. Result of the Formula
  6. Why Use YIELD?
  7. Key Takeaways:
  8. Example use case

Parameters

settlement:
The date on which the security is purchased or settled. This is the date after the issue date when the buyer acquires the security.

maturity:
The date on which the security will mature, meaning the date when the principal amount is due to be paid back to the investor.

rate:
The annual coupon rate of the security, expressed as a decimal. This is the interest rate that the issuer pays to the bondholder.

pr:
The price of the security expressed as a percentage of its face value. This is the amount that the investor pays for the security.

redemption:
The redemption value of the security, which is the amount that will be paid back to the investor at maturity, typically expressed as a percentage of face value.

frequency:
The number of coupon payments made per year. This can be 1 for annual payments, 2 for semiannual payments, or 4 for quarterly payments.

[basis]:
An optional parameter that specifies the day count basis to use. This determines how the interest is calculated based on the number of days in the period.

What is a YIELD Formula in Excel?

The YIELD function in Excel is a financial tool that calculates the yield on a security that pays periodic interest. It provides the annual yield of a bond based on its price, coupon rate, and the number of periods until maturity. This function is particularly useful for investors who want to evaluate the return on their bond investments.

In simpler terms, the YIELD function helps you determine how much income you can expect to earn from a bond investment, making it easier to compare different investment options.

A Practical Example

Imagine you are analyzing a bond investment and have the following data in an Excel spreadsheet:

Bond Data Table:

Bond NameFace ValueCoupon RatePriceMaturity (Years)
Bond A10005%95010
Bond B10006%10505
Bond C10004%90015

You want to find the yield for Bond A.

YIELD Formula

To calculate the yield for Bond A, you would use the YIELD formula as follows:

Excel
=YIELD(D2, B2, C2, A2, 100, 1)

Breakdown of the Formula:

  • D2: This is the price of the bond (950).
  • B2: This is the face value of the bond (1000).
  • C2: This is the coupon rate (5%).
  • A2: This is the maturity (10 years).
  • 100: This is the redemption value of the bond (typically 100).
  • 1: This indicates that interest is paid annually.

Result of the Formula

When you apply the formula, it calculates the yield for Bond A based on the provided data. The output would be:

Yield for Bond A
5.36%

Here, the yield is calculated based on the bond's price, coupon rate, and maturity, providing you with an annual yield of approximately 5.36%.

Why Use YIELD?

The YIELD function is particularly useful for investors who need to assess the profitability of bond investments. It allows you to compare different bonds and make informed investment decisions based on expected returns.

Key Takeaways:

  • YIELD: Calculates the annual yield of a bond based on its price, coupon rate, and maturity.
  • Investment Analysis: Helps investors evaluate and compare the returns of different bond investments.
  • Common Use Cases: Ideal for portfolio management, fixed-income analysis, and any scenario where bond yield assessment is necessary.

Understanding how to use the YIELD function can significantly enhance your investment analysis capabilities in Excel, enabling you to make data-driven decisions regarding your bond investments.

Happy investing!

Example use case

You have a table where Column A contains bond names, Column B contains their annual coupon rates, Column C contains their face values, Column D contains their current market prices, and Column E contains the number of years until maturity. You can use the YIELD function to calculate the yield of each bond based on its coupon rate, face value, current market price, and time to maturity. This allows for efficient comparison of different bonds' returns, aiding in investment decisions and portfolio management without the need for complex financial calculations.

Beyond the YIELD function: Better Analyst is a full Excel AI that goes well past individual formulas. Upload any spreadsheet and ask questions in plain English — you'll get formulas, data analysis, and charts back in seconds. It's a free AI Excel assistant that works with any .xlsx, .xls, or .csv file — no plugins, no Microsoft 365 required.

Don't have a spreadsheet yet? Use our free AI spreadsheet generator to turn a text prompt into a downloadable Excel file — a full AI Excel sheet maker that builds headers, columns, and formulas from your description.

Need more help with Excel formulas?

Create a free account for formula help, explanations, and spreadsheet analysis. Usage limits depend on your plan.

Explore all Excel formulas

Browse our complete library of Excel formula guides

Compare your options

Decide with evidence, not a sales pitch.

Open a neutral research prompt in the AI tool you already use. Compare capabilities, limitations, and fit before you choose.

  1. 01ChatGPTOpen a balanced comparison prompt in ChatGPT.
  2. 02ClaudeOpen the same research prompt in Claude.
  3. 03PerplexityResearch the comparison with linked web sources.

AI answers can be incomplete. Check source links, current pricing, and product documentation before deciding.