Why do bonds sell at a premium?

There will be a higher amount of bonds selling at a premium in the market during those times when interest rates are falling. This happens because investors are getting more income from them. In a time of rising rates, bonds are bought at a discount to par for roughly the same reason.

Why do bonds trade at a premium in secondary markets?

This happens when the bond’s coupon rate exceeds the prevailing interest rate. So, for example, the prevailing interest rate might be 4%, while the bond’s coupon rate is 6%. This superior coupon rate is why the bond trades at a premium in secondary markets.

When does a bond trade at a premium?

A bond trades at a premium when its coupon rate is higher than the prevailing interest rates. A bond trades at a discount when its coupon rate is lower than the prevailing interest rates. Using the previous example of a bond with a par value of $1,000, the bond's price would need to fall to $750 to yield 4%, while at par, it yields 3%.