If you hold a zero-coupon bond Treasury bond to maturity, the fully compounded rate of return is virtually guaranteed to be equal to the rate stated at the time the bond was purchased.

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Zero-coupon Treasury bonds, by design, do not pay interest periodically. Instead, they are sold at a discount to their face value; the return to the investor is the difference between the purchase price and the face value paid at maturity. This return, when held to maturity, is predetermined and reflects a fully compounded rate of return equivalent to the yield at the time of purchase, assuming no default by the U.S. government.

If You Hold a Zero-Coupon Bond Treasury Bond to Maturity