MSG Team's other articles

9618 How Governments around the World are Bankrupting Future Generations for Present Consumption

The Debt Bomb and its Implications The world is in crisis and one of the reasons for that is the excessive debt held by people, companies, and countries. The west is especially hit hard because of the profligacy of the last three decades starting from the 1970s, which have resulted in a consumerist lifestyle, and […]

9262 The FAANG Sell-off

Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Google are together known as the FAANG stocks in the stock market. These stocks have been the darling of the market for the past decade or so. Almost every investor has some of these stocks in their portfolio. However, it seems like the bull run for these stocks is over. […]

11640 Tulip Mania of the 17th Century

Asset bubbles have always been a testimony to the bizarre things that humans can accomplish when they abandon their own rational thinking and a herd mentality sets in. However, the case in point of the first asset bubble in recorded history i.e. the tulip mania brings this to light. The sheer absurdity of the situation […]

11842 What is Bond Valuation and How is it Calculated ?

One of the Most Important Uses of Discounting The present value of a bond is the sum of all the future cash flows that can be derived from it. In this sense, the valuation of bonds really becomes simple, isn’t it? All we need to do is find out the future stream of payments that […]

12671 Cashless Economy: Pros and Cons

Governments across the world have stepped up their fight against cash. Cash is being increasingly viewed as a curse that mankind needs to rid itself of. The goal is to move towards a cashless economy. The closer an economy is towards this goal, the more successful it is considered to be. However, the concept of […]

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Why Investment is Important ?

Every individual needs to put some part of his income into something which would benefit him in the long run. Investment is essential as unavoidable circumstances can arise anytime and anywhere.

One needs to invest money into something which would guarantee maximum returns with minimum risks in future. Money saved now will help you overcome tough times in the best possible way.

What are Bonds?

Bonds are issued by organizations generally for a period of more than one year to raise money by borrowing.

Organizations in order to raise capital issue bond to investors which is nothing but a financial contract, where the organization promises to pay the principal amount and interest (in the form of coupons) to the holder of the bond after a certain date. (Also called maturity date). Some Bonds do not pay interest to the investors, however it is mandatory for the issuers to pay the principal amount to the investors.

What is a Maturity Date?

Maturity date refers to the final date for the payment of any financial product when the principal along with the interest needs to be paid to the investor by the issuer.

Characteristics of a Bond

  • A bond is generally a form of debt which the investors pay to the issuers for a defined time frame. In a layman’s language, bond holders offer credit to the company issuing the bond.

  • Bonds generally have a fixed maturity date.

  • All bonds repay the principal amount after the maturity date; however some bonds do pay the interest along with the principal to the bond holders.

Bonds

Types of Bonds

Following are the types of bonds:

  1. Fixed Rate Bonds

    In Fixed Rate Bonds, the interest remains fixed through out the tenure of the bond. Owing to a constant interest rate, fixed rate bonds are resistant to changes and fluctuations in the market.

  2. Floating Rate Bonds

    Floating rate bonds have a fluctuating interest rate (coupons) as per the current market reference rate.

  3. Zero Interest Rate Bonds

    Zero Interest Rate Bonds do not pay any regular interest to the investors. In such types of bonds, issuers only pay the principal amount to the bond holders.

  4. Inflation Linked Bonds

    Bonds linked to inflation are called inflation linked bonds. The interest rate of Inflation linked bonds is generally lower than fixed rate bonds.

  5. Perpetual Bonds

    Bonds with no maturity dates are called perpetual bonds. Holders of perpetual bonds enjoy interest throughout.

  6. Subordinated Bonds

    Bonds which are given less priority as compared to other bonds of the company in cases of a close down are called subordinated bonds. In cases of liquidation, subordinated bonds are given less importance as compared to senior bonds which are paid first.

  7. Bearer Bonds

    Bearer Bonds do not carry the name of the bond holder and anyone who possesses the bond certificate can claim the amount. If the bond certificate gets stolen or misplaced by the bond holder, anyone else with the paper can claim the bond amount.

  8. War Bonds

    War Bonds are issued by any government to raise funds in cases of war.

  9. Serial Bonds

    Bonds maturing over a period of time in installments are called serial bonds.

  10. Climate Bonds

    Climate Bonds are issued by any government to raise funds when the country concerned faces any adverse changes in climatic conditions.

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