Bond Investing

What is Bond Investing?

In the financial world, there are two basic types of investments: equity and debt.

Equity investments

Equity-based investments such as stocks or real estate represent a share of ownership in the issuer. When you buy stock in a company, you become a proportional owner of the company based on the number of shares that you have purchased. For example, say you buy 1000 shares of a company that has a million shares outstanding. You now own one one-thousandth of that company.

In general, equity-based investments are the only type of investment that have outperformed inflation over time. Bonds are safer investments in many respects, but their historical returns have lagged stocks by a substantial margin over the decades.

Debt investments

Debt-based investments make the investor a creditor of the issuer. Bonds are debt-based investments that pay a specific rate of interest for a specific period, such as 10, 20, or 30 years. When you buy a bond, you become a creditor of the issuer. So, when you buy a 30-year government bond, you become a creditor of the U.S. Treasury for the next 30 years (or less if you sell your bond before maturity). Bond investing is appropriate for both individuals and institutions. Bonds are used to transfer money between hands in much of the world.

How Bond Investing Works

Bonds are relatively simple types of investments. At their core, they are simply a promise made by the issuer to repay the investor’s principal at a certain point in the future. This point is called the maturity date. The life cycle of a bond is shown as follows:

1. The issuer releases the bonds for sale to the public. Individual and institutional investors buy the bonds in the primary market where they are sold at par value ($1,000 each). The issuer also promises to pay the investor a specific rate of interest, called the interest rate, or coupon rate. The term “coupon rate” comes from a bygone era. When bonds were issued as pieces of paper with paper coupons (that the investor could redeem with the issuer for cash), the rate of interest was stamped on each coupon.
2. Once the primary issue is completed, then the bonds will start trading in the open (secondary) market.  Their prices from this point forward are determined by supply and demand as well as current interest rates.
3. The bonds will pay interest at their coupon rate to all bondholders until the bonds mature. Then the investors will receive their principal back along with the final interest payment.

Interest Payments

Bonds with long maturities pay correspondingly higher rates of interest than short-term bonds. For example, the 30-year government bond pays more interest than a one-year T-Bill. Bonds pay interest according to a preset schedule, such as monthly, quarterly, semiannually, or annually until they mature.

Time to Maturity

Bond maturities can vary widely. Some bonds mature in a month or less while others last for 30 years or more. When it comes to maturities, bond investing can be divided into two main categories. Bonds with maturities of 9 months or more trade in what is called the capital market, while bonds with maturities of less than 9 months trade in what is known as the money market.

Primary vs. Secondary Markets

Bonds that are first issued by a company, municipality, or government are said to be trading in the primary market, They are issued at what is known as par value, which is typically $1,000 per bond with few exceptions.

Brokers and investment firms distribute these offerings to their customers directly from the issuer. The distributors are paid to do this directly by the issuer. If there is a bond offering that you would like to get in on, just go to your broker and place an order for them.

You will tell your broker that you would like to buy x number of bonds from the offering, and your broker will try to fill your order for you. But if the bond offering is in high demand, it may be difficult for your broker to fill your order.

Who Is Bond Investing For?

Anyone who wants or needs to tie their money up for a specific period will look to bonds to meet their investment objectives. If you are a conservative investor and you want to be certain to get your money back, then government or municipal bonds can be a good alternative.

You may be afraid to risk your money in the stock market, due to fear of a market correction. But you may also want a higher rate of return than you can get from Treasury securities. This means that corporate bonds may be just the thing for you. Anyone who needs current income from their investments can satisfy this objective by investing in bonds.

What Types of Bonds Are There?

There are three basic types of issuers when it comes to bonds. There is the U.S. Government (and foreign governments), local municipalities such as cities and counties, and corporations. Each type of bond has its own unique characteristics and is appropriate for a specific type of investor. Here we will look at the types of bonds issued by each type of issuer in detail.

Treasury Securities

As their name states, Treasury securities are issued directly by the U.S. Treasury. They are considered the safest investments on earth by most financial rating agencies and financial analysts. They are backed by the taxing authority of Congress as well as the ability to print money. You can buy Treasury securities here.

Government bonds are sold directly at auction on a regular basis, but you can also buy them in the secondary market either directly or through a broker. There are three main types of Treasury Securities, known as bills, notes, and bonds. In 2018, the average daily trading volume of Treasury securities was $547 billion.

Types of Treasury Securities

T-Bills – These bonds have maturities ranging from a few days to 52 weeks. They are sold at a discount and then mature at par value. They do not make regular interest payments the way a coupon bond will. The difference in price represents the interest that the investor receives.

T-Notes – These bonds have maturities ranging from two, three, five, seven, and ten years. They pay higher rates of interest than T-Bills because of their longer maturities. They pay interest twice each year and are issued and mature at par value. (From this point on, par value will always refer to a price of $1,000 per bond, regardless of the type of bond that is being discussed.)

T-Bonds – These bonds have maturities of 20 or 30 years, and for this reason, they are commonly referred to as “long bonds”. Like T-Notes, they pay interest semiannually and are issued and mature at par value. Treasury bonds can be purchased in increments of $100.

U.S. Savings Bonds

In addition to Treasury securities, the U.S. government issues two other types of savings bonds, known as I-Bonds and EE Bonds. Unlike Treasury securities, these bonds can only be bought and redeemed directly with the Treasury and do not trade in a secondary market. Like Treasury securities, the rate of interest that they pay is tied to prevailing interest rates but is usually rather low compared to other types of bonds.

I-Bonds

I-Bonds (short for Inflation Bonds) pay a combination of fixed and variable interest rates. This gives investors some protection from inflation eroding their purchasing power. The fixed interest rate is set at issuance, while the variable interest rate is adjusted twice a year, in May and November. The variable rate of interest is set according to the performance of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (CPI-U). When the index rises, the variable rate of interest is correspondingly increased.

EE Bonds

This type of savings bond is often referred to as a “Patriot Bond”. Series EE bonds essentially mirror I-Bonds except that there is no variable component to their interest rates. Rates are set twice a year and will remain there for the next six months. Like I Bonds, EE Bonds can be issued as paper bonds or electronically. The electronic bonds are issued at face value and are guaranteed to double in value over the next 20 years. Their maturities can also be extended for another 10 years if the investor so chooses.

TIPS

TIPS stands for Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities. They are a unique type of savings bond that can be traded in the secondary market. They resemble I-Bonds in that they are adjusted for inflation. But they differ from I-Bonds in how this happens. The coupon rate for TIPS is set at issuance but can be adjusted for inflation once every six months. Furthermore, the principal amount of the bond is also adjusted for inflation.

Zero-Coupon Bonds

As their name states, zero-coupon bonds do not pay a coupon rate of interest. They are simply issued at a discount and mature at par value, thus providing the investor with a profit. As mentioned previously, T-Bills are one type of zero-coupon bond. These bonds can be issued by both governments and corporations. Their prices in the secondary market have greater volatility  than other types of bonds. They can rise sharply in price when stock prices fall and vice-versa.

Treasury STRIPS

STRIPS are any bond issued by the U.S. Treasury with a maturity of at least 10 years. It has been purchased by an investment firm and had its coupon payments stripped away. STRIPS are not available for purchase directly from the government. They are only available through brokerage and private investment firms. The coupon payments are sold as separate securities while the principal amount is sold at a deep discount and matures at par. While STRIPS are typically created from Treasury securities, they can also be made from other types of bonds.

CDs

Certificates of deposit are one of the most common types of bonds available today. Some CDs can only be bought and sold through local banks, while others are issued by national banks and offer higher rates. These specialized CDs are still FDIC insured but often come with a call or put feature (see below). And unlike CDs sold directly by banks, these CDs can trade in the secondary market just like any other type of bond. Ask your broker if their firm has access to this type of CD if you are looking to park some money for a while. The national CDs generally pay rates similar to what corporate bonds pay, but with no risk to principal.

Government Agency Securities

This type of bond is backed indirectly by the U.S. Treasury in one way or another. But they are still technically considered to be riskier than the other types of federal debt covered here. They are usually rated very highly by the bond rating agencies (more on this later). They also pay slightly higher rates of interest than offerings that are directly backed by Uncle Sam. Government agency securities are popular with investors seeking a higher rate of interest with only minimal risk.

Municipal Bonds

Municipal bonds are issued by various municipalities or states. These bond issues are designed to raise money for a municipality and help it meet its financial obligations and maintain the infrastructure within its boundaries. Some muni bonds are also federally insured to increase their safety. Muni bonds in general are not considered to be as safe as government bonds but are much safer than corporate bonds. There are two main types of municipal bonds: general obligation bonds and revenue bonds.

General Obligation Bonds

GO bonds are backed by the taxing power and general financial strength of the municipality. For example, a city could do a bond issue of $50 million to be used for repairing roads and bridges or building new parks or other attractions. Investors will receive a stream of interest payments until maturity. And the city or state can raise income taxes to meet this obligation if it needs to.

Revenue bonds are bonds that are issued to build a specific facility, road, or other infrastructure-related projects that generate revenue. The revenue generated by the road or facility is then used to make the interest payments to the investor. Revenue bonds are issued to pay for such things as sports stadiums and toll roads.

Revenue bonds are bonds that are issued to build a specific facility, road, or other infrastructure-related projects that generate revenue. The revenue generated by the road or facility is then used to make the interest payments to the investor. Revenue bonds are issued to pay for such things as sports stadiums and toll roads.

Corporate Bonds

Corporate bonds are the riskiest type of bonds available. This is because the bonds are only backed by the financial strength of the issuer, and carry some liquidity risk. The issuing corporation cannot raise taxes or print money to meet its obligations; it can only try to make a profit.

Nevertheless, corporate bonds are still considered to be much safer than most stocks because bondholders will get their money back before the stockholders will if the company has to be liquidated.

There are two main types of corporate bonds. Debentures are backed by the financial strength of the issuing company. Collateralized bonds are backed by a specific type of collateral such as real estate or equipment used by the company.

Convertible Bonds

Convertible bonds are a type of hybrid security. They behave like bonds in many respects, but you can also convert them into a certain number of shares of company stock. This has a marked effect on the fluctuation price of the bond in the secondary market, because if the company’s stock price rises, the value of the convertible bond will rise along with it. This is one instance where the prevailing interest rate environment may not be the final determinant of the bond’s price. For example, if a convertible bond can be exchanged for 10 shares of the company’s stock at $20 per share, and the share price rises to $65, then the bond is obviously worth much more than its face value.

Is Bond Investing Profitable?

Bond prices are irrevocably tied to interest rates, and when interest rates are low, new bond issues will pay less. The amount of profit that you can get from a bond depends upon the type of bond you own and your local taxes bracket. As an investment product,  bonds can pay a little bit more than the rate of inflation, but not a great deal more. If you buy a bond in a primary issuance when interest rates are moderately high and then rates decline, then your bond will be worth more in the secondary market. This means that you can sell your bond at a profit. You will receive a capital gain from the sale of your bonds that you will have to report on your tax return.

Example

If you buy 10 bonds at par value from a primary offering, then you’ll pay a total of $10,000 to the issuing company. Then, if interest rates go down, the value of your bonds in the secondary market might rise to $1,075 apiece. If you sell your bonds at this price, then you will have to report a capital gain of $750 ($75 X 10 bonds) on your tax return the following year.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Bond Investing versus Equity Investing?

There are advantages and disadvantages to investing in both stocks and bonds. The pros and cons of investing in bonds include the following:

Bond investing pros

• Relative safety of principal – As long as the issuer of a bond can meet its financial obligations, the bondholder is assured of getting their principal back plus interest.
• Guaranteed rates of interest – Unlike stocks, bonds always pay a stated rate of interest. This rate will last until the bond matures or is called.
• Possible capital gains in the secondary market – This can happen if interest rates decline. Then the price of bonds that were previously issued at a higher rate of interest will rise in the open market.
• Liquidity – Bonds can be sold at any time in the secondary market, and money market funds are always totally liquid.

Bond investing cons

• Possibility of default – If a bond issuer becomes unable to meet its financial obligations, then the bondholders may not receive their interest payments and may even lose some or all their principal.
• Lower returns over time than stocks – The relative safety of bonds compared to stocks comes at a price. Bonds have historically posted lower returns than stocks over time.
• Possible capital losses in the secondary market – If interest rates rise, then the value of bonds that have been previously issued will fall. Those who sell their bonds in the secondary market will therefore have to sell them at a discount.
• Illiquidity – Bonds require the investor to tie up their money for a set period. If the bondholder sells their bonds in the secondary market before the bond matures, then they may have to sell them at a loss.

What’s the Difference Between Bond Investing and Stock Investing?

If you buy a bond, you can count on getting your money back at par value at maturity while collecting interest in the meantime. You can rest assured that you’ll get $1,000 per bond when it matures, regardless of its value in the secondary market. You might even be able to buy the bond at a discount in the secondary market and then redeem it at par and reap an additional capital gain on top of your interest payments. On the other hand, if you buy a bond at par and then interest rates rise, then you will most likely realize a capital loss if you are forced to sell your bonds in the secondary market for any reason.

Stock Investing

When you buy a stock, you are purchasing a share of ownership in the issuing company. The share price of the stock will fluctuate somewhat during the trading day and also over longer periods of time. Investing in stocks for the short term can be risky because the markets are unpredictable.

But you can reap much greater rewards from stocks than you can from bonds over longer periods of time. Bonds by nature cannot outpace inflation by very much, but stocks can. If you buy a 30-year government bond, you’ll get a guaranteed rate of interest, but if you buy a group of stocks and hold them for that same period, you’ll most likely grow your money by an exponential amount. This is not possible with bonds.

Are Bonds a Good Investment?

It all depends upon your risk tolerance, investment objectives, and time horizon. If you are looking for a place to park your money for a month or less, then a money market mutual fund is probably your best bet. If you need reliable income that you can count on for a long period of time, then bonds are a logical choice.

But if you are looking for long-term growth, then you will have difficulty accomplishing this with bonds. And if you do not know whether you will be able to hold your bonds until maturity, then you may realize a capital loss if you must sell them in the secondary market.

How Can I Start Bond Investing?

The first step that you will take when it comes to investing in bonds is to decide which bonds you want to buy. If you want an absolute guarantee of principal, then government or municipal bonds will be appropriate.

If you’re willing to take a bit more risk in return for a higher interest rate, then corporate bonds may be your best choice. But once you know what you want to buy, the easiest way to start investing in bonds is through a broker or online trading account.

A Bond Investing Strategy

The most common bond investing strategy is to ladder out the maturities in your bond portfolio. For example, say you want to invest $100,000 in bonds. You could do so by following the steps listed below:

1. Buy ten separate blocks of bonds at $10,000 each with staggered maturities. One group of bonds could mature in six months, while another group matures in a year. The next group will mature in a year and a half, and so on.
2. This strategy is particularly effective when interest rates are rising. This is because each group can then be reinvested at a higher rate after it matures.
3. If interest rates are falling, then you may want to invest in longer-term bonds. This is so that you can lock in a higher rate now for a longer period.

You may not want to take the time to evaluate a range of bond issuers. If so, then you may want to consider investing in a bond mutual fund. This type of investment holds a large portfolio of bonds and pays current income to shareholders.

Bond funds provide both diversification and professional management for a fee. (And you need to know what those fees are exactly before you invest.)

Bond Investing Tips

There are several key factors that you need to know when you invest in bonds of any kind. They include:

• Know when your bonds will mature. (You should find this out when you buy them.)
• Know what your bonds are rated by the rating agencies. The higher the rating, the safer the bond and the greater the chance that you’ll get all your interest and principal back.
• Look into the bond issuer’s financial history. You can get a good idea of how safe your money will be by surveying the issuer’s track record of meeting its bond obligations.
• Know your own risk tolerance. If you want to get the highest rate of interest possible, then you may want to look at junk bonds, which are rated C or lower. But these bonds also have the highest possibility of default. With more reward comes greater risk.
• Know what the bond market is doing. If interest rates are rising, then the value of your bonds will decrease in the open market. If you don’t think that you’ll be able to hold your bonds until they mature, then you need to be prepared to absorb a capital loss when you sell them.
• Know what role your bonds will play in your overall investment portfolio. Most investors invest in a combination of stocks and bonds to maintain a proper level of diversification. Many financial planners recommend an allocation of 60% of an investor’s money to stocks and 40% to bonds. But this will vary depending upon your risk tolerance, investment objectives and time horizon. If you are getting near retirement, then you should probably have a greater amount of your money allocated to bonds because you may not be able to absorb a large loss in the stock market very well.

Conclusion

Bonds can comprise a key portion of your investment portfolio. They can provide current income and relative safety of principal compared to stocks. Prices move inversely to interest rates, so be sure to check where rates are before you invest. Bond mutual funds can be a good idea if you’re a novice investor, and your financial advisor can probably point you in the right direction if you don’t know where to start.

Bond Investing FAQs

What is credit risk in bond investing?

Credit risk in bond investing refers to the potential of loss resulting from a bond issuer’s failure to repay the principal and interest in full or on time. Bonds with low credit quality are more susceptible to credit risk. Investors can mitigate this risk by investing in bonds with a high credit rating.

How do interest rate risk and inflation risk impact bond investments?

Interest rate risk is the risk that the market value of bonds will decrease due to an increase in the interest rates. Inflation risk, on the other hand, is the risk that the purchasing power of the investment returns may be eroded due to inflation. Both these risks could potentially reduce the investor’s return on their bond investments.

Why is asset allocation important in bond investing?

Asset allocation is crucial as it helps in diversifying your portfolio, reducing risk, and potentially increasing returns. An investor’s asset allocation strategy can include a mix of different types of investments, such as high-yield bonds, investment-grade bonds, bond ETFs, and other fixed-income securities.

What is the role of bond yields in bond investing?

Bond yields refer to the return an investor realizes on a bond. When bond yields rise, the prices of existing bonds fall, and vice versa. Higher yields often come with higher risks, such as increased credit risk or interest rate risk. Understanding bond yields is critical for assessing potential returns and risks in bond investing.

What are bond ETFs and how do they differ from individual bonds?

Bond ETFs, or exchange-traded funds, are investment funds traded on stock exchanges. They are designed to track the performance of a specific bond index. Bond ETFs offer the advantage of diversification across many bonds with a single purchase. Individual bonds, on the other hand, are issued by entities such as governments or corporations to raise capital, and when you invest in individual bonds, you are essentially lending money to the issuer in exchange for periodic interest payments and the return of the principal at maturity.