Bonds are financial instruments that investors buy to earn interest. Essentially, buying a bond means lending money to the issuer, which could be a company or government entity. The bond has a predetermined maturity date and a specified interest rate. The issuer commits to repaying the principal, which is the original loan amount, on this maturity date. In addition, during the time up to maturity, the issuer usually pays the investor interest at prescheduled intervals, typically semiannually.
Key Takeaways
- Bonds are debt securities issued by corporations, governments, or other organizations and sold to investors.
- Not all bonds can be easily traded, and not all securities are available to private investors.
- Bonds typically have a low price correlation with stock markets. This lower correlation makes them an effective tool for diversifying investment portfolios.
- Besides buying individual bond securities, investors can access diversified bond portfolios via fund investments, such as bond exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
- Most bonds have regular and stable interest payments, making them well-suited for those on a fixed income.
Bonds ordinarily serve a dual purpose in your portfolio. First, they provide a steady and more predictable income stream of regular interest payments. This makes them attractive to those looking for consistent returns. Second, they help diversify your portfolio. Since bonds typically correlate negatively with equities, they may offset potential losses from other riskier investments.
Types of Bonds
In finance, bonds represent a beacon of stability and security. Bonds come in many forms, each with unique characteristics and advantages. With so many choices available, it's essential to understand the sometimes subtle but important differences among the most common types.
Corporate Bonds
Corporate bonds are fixed-income securities issued by corporations to finance operations or expansions. Private or institutional investors who buy these bonds choose to lend funds to the company in exchange for interest payments (the bond coupon) and the return of the principal at the end of maturity.
The risk and return of corporate bonds vary widely, usually reflecting the issuing company's creditworthiness. This makes due diligence essential before investing in one.
Treasury Bonds
Treasury bonds are long-term investments issued by the U.S. government. They have a maturity of 10, 20, or 30 years. These bonds are backed by the U.S. and, therefore, are regarded as very safe. Due to their low risk, they offer lower yields than other types of bonds. However, when market interest rises, the prices of these longer-running and lower-yielding bonds can come quickly under pressure. Investors use Treasury bonds as a secure long-term investment.
International Government Bonds
International government bonds are debt securities issued by foreign governments. They allow investors to diversify their portfolios geographically and potentially benefit from currency fluctuations or higher yields. Depending on the country or region, they can have additional risks, including political instability, exchange rate volatility, and many others, making them a comparatively riskier investment choice.
Municipal Bonds
Municipal bonds ( called “munis”) are debt securities issued by states, cities, or counties to fund public projects or operations. Like other type of bonds, they can also provide steady interest cash flow for the investors. Additionally, these bonds typically offer tax advantages since the interest earned is frequently exempt from federal and sometimes state and local taxes, too.
Agency Bonds
Agency bonds are generally issued by government-sponsored enterprises or federal agencies. Although not directly backed by the U.S. government, they have a high degree of safety because of their government affiliation. These bonds finance public-purpose projects and usually have higher yields than Treasury bonds. However, they may carry a call risk, meaning the issuer can repay the bond before its maturity date.
Green Bonds
Green bonds are debt securities issued to fund environmentally friendly projects like renewable energy or pollution reduction. This allows investors to support sustainability while earning interest. They are like regular bonds, except the funds are earmarked for green initiatives. While they offer a way to invest responsibly, it's essential to ensure that they are actually funding initiatives with a positive ecological influence and avoid greenwashing.
Bond ETFs
Bond ETFs specifically invest in bond securities. They can offer broad diversification within the bond community, and an ETF may hold a range of different bonds. This provides liquidity, price transparency, and lower investment thresholds than individual bonds. However, like individual bonds, they're subject to interest rate and credit risk, among other risks.
Key Considerations for Bond Investors
When investing in bonds, it's crucial to consider credit ratings, which indicate the issuer's ability to repay debt; interest rates, since they affect bond prices and yield; and maturity dates, which determine when you'll receive the principal back. Ensuring you understand these vital features can significantly help you make informed decisions and align your bond investments with your overall financial goals.
Also, keep in mind that bond prices and yields share an inverse relationship. When bond prices rise, yields fall, and vice versa. This is because the fixed interest payment of a bond becomes more attractive compared with the market when prices drop, increasing the yield. Conversely, if bond prices increase, the fixed interest payment is less attractive, reducing the yield.
How to Buy Bonds
To buy bond securities, you have two main choices: individual bonds or bond funds.
Individual Bonds
Individual bonds can be bought through brokers, banks, or directly from the issuer. However, certain individual bond securities are not available to private investors. Here are some of the reasons for this:
- High minimum purchase: Some bonds require a large initial investment that is ordinarily out of reach for individual investors.
- Limited accessibility: Certain bonds, especially exotic or international ones, are not readily available on the retail market.
- Regulatory restrictions: Some bonds, like municipal or certain corporate bonds, may be restricted to institutional investors.
Bond Funds
Bond funds, meanwhile, are investment vehicles like mutual funds or bond ETFs that pool funds from a large number of investors to buy a diversified portfolio of bonds. This provides the means for greater diversification and professional management but has ongoing fees.
The choice between individual securities and bond funds depends on your investment goals, risk tolerance, desired level of involvement, and the investment exposure you are seeking.
You can either hold bond securities or actively trade them. Holding bonds versus trading bonds presents a difference in strategy. Holding bonds involves buying and keeping them until maturity, guaranteeing the return of principal unless the issuer defaults. Trading bonds, meanwhile, involves buying and selling bonds before they mature, aiming to profit from price fluctuations. However, this carries a higher risk.
What Is a Bond Rating?
A bond rating is a grade given by a rating agency that assesses the creditworthiness of the bond's issuer, signifying the likelihood of default.
Can I Sell My Bonds Before the Maturity Date?
Yes, generally, bonds can be sold before maturity in the secondary market (if there is enough liquidity), but the price you get may be more or less than your original investment.
How Does Bond Maturity Affect Price?
Longer-maturity bonds are generally more sensitive to interest rate changes, so their prices can fluctuate more than shorter-maturity bonds.
How Does Inflation Impact Bonds?
Inflation can significantly diminish the buying power of a bond's fixed interest payments, making them less valuable. Hence, inflationary risk should always be considered when buying them.
What Does It Mean When a Bond Is Callable?
A callable bond entitles the issuer to repay the bond before its maturity date. There is usually a predetermined call price and date listed in the bond prospectus.
The Bottom Line
Different bond types—government, corporate, or municipal—have unique characteristics influencing their risk and return profile. Understanding how they differ and the relationship between the prices of bond securities and market interest rates is crucial before investing. This can help confirm that your bond choices align with your financial goals and risk tolerance.
