Finance 101

What is Clean Price and Dirty Price?

When it comes to clean price versus dirty price, it has nothing to do with hygiene!

It is all to do with bonds.

The clean price of a bond refers to the price that does not include any accrued interest between the scheduled payments.

This is the price you typically see quoted in financial press.

In contrast, the dirty price includes the bond's accrued interest, reflecting the total cost a buyer would pay if purchasing the bond between interest payment dates.

It is important to note the difference between clean and dirty prices because it ultimately affects the actual transaction cost.

Knowing both prices helps you make informed decisions about buying or selling bonds, making sure you accurately assess the value and the cost of your investments.