Interest rate is the cost of borrowing funds or the return for lending funds. It is a critical tool used by central banks to manage the economy. Interest rates have a direct impact on stock and bond markets, and it’s imperative to understand how they work.

When interest rates rise, it becomes more expensive for companies to borrow funds, making it difficult for companies to pay back the borrowed amount. This increases the cost of production, which lowers profitability, resulting in decreased stock prices. Thus, it follows that stocks are negatively impacted by interest rate hikes.

On the other hand, bonds have an inverse relationship with interest rates. When interest rates are high, bonds become attractive as they offer higher yields. This is because bond prices are determined by two factors, the prevailing interest rates, and inflation. When interest rates decrease, the price of bonds increases, and the yield decreases.

Furthermore, inflation plays a crucial role in how interest rates impact stocks and bonds. When inflation rises, the central bank raises interest rates to curb it. The impact of inflation is significant in the bond market because bonds are long-term financial instruments with fixed payments. Inflation erodes the purchasing power of these payments, making them less valuable.

When it comes to stocks, the relationship with inflation is more complicated. High inflation is typically associated with economic growth, which ultimately drives revenue and earnings for companies. As a result, the stock market can perform well with moderate inflation. However, high inflation can lead to higher borrowing costs, which reduce a company’s profitability, and ultimately lead to decreased stock prices.

In conclusion, interest rates have a considerable impact on both stocks and bonds. Bond prices are inversely related to interest rates, while stocks are negatively affected by interest rate hikes. Understanding the relationship between interest rates, inflation, and stocks and bonds is critical for investors to make informed decisions in the financial markets.