Commercial Paper (CP)CP, issued by firms, serves the firm as an alternative to a short-term loan.The minimum denomination is $100,000 and the common denominations are in multiples of $1 million. Maturities are often between 20 and 45 days but can be as long as 270 days.CP does not pay coupon payments and is issued at adiscount. The rate of return on CP is equal to thepercentage change in prices.Since the firm issued commercial paper may default on its payment, rate of return on CP would be higher than risk- free rate.