Why is the Federal Funds Rate so influential on other interest rates?

Bond j has a coupon rate of 6 percent and bond k has a coupon rate of 12 percent. both bonds have 14 years to maturity, make semiannual payments, and have a ytm of 9 percent. a. if interest rates suddenly rise by 2 percent, what is the percentage price change of these bonds?

The gilbert instrument corporation is considering replacing the wood steamer it currently uses to shape guitar sides. the steamer has 6 years of remaining life. if kept,the steamer will have depreciaiton expenses of $650 for five years and $325 for the sixthyear. its current book value is $3,575, and it can be sold on an internet auction site for$4,150 at this time. if the old steamer is not replaced, it can be sold for $800 at the endof its useful life. gilbert is considering purchasing the side steamer 3000, a higher-end steamer, whichcosts $12,000 and has an estimated useful life of 6 years with an estimated salvage value of$1,500. this steamer falls into the macrs 5-year class, so the applicable depreciationrates are 20.00%, 32.00%, 19.20%, 11.52%, 11.52%, and 5.76%. the new steamer is fasterand allows for an output expansion, so sales would rise by $2,000 per year; the newmachine's much greater efficiency would reduce operating expenses by $1,900 per year.to support the greater sales, the new machine would require that inventories increase by$2,900, but accounts payable would simultaneously increase by $700. gilbert's marginalfederal-plus-state tax rate is 40%, and its wacc is 15%.a. should it replace the old steamer? b. npv of replace = $2,083.51

Which is not true of birthday and/or annual review automatics? a. the purpose is to trigger a telephone call for a face-to-face meeting.b. quarterly automatic contacts decrease cross-sales and lead to reduced referrals.c. you are expected to stay in touch with all your active prospects and clients through two personal contacts each year?