Understand the Features of Bonds

As we mentioned in previous article, we knowgovernment treasury bill rate.
that our government only represents about 30%5. Fluctuation of pricesa) Even though, When a
of our retirement income, the companybond is issued, the interest rate is fixed for the
retirement pension plan offers another 30 % andentire term but changing economic interest rates
many of us do not have one. It is up to individualscreate some fluctuation of prices
to invest wisely short and long term in order toExample:
make up for the short fall if he or she would likeThe bond price is lower with interest rate of 5%,
to live comfortably after retirement without givingif other more recently issued debt securities are
up some retirement plans. In this article, we willnear 10%.b) If interest rates have fallen since this
discuss the special features of bonds andbond was issued, it can be sold for a price greater
debentures.than par at a premium.
1. Callable bondsa) Callable bonds means the bond6. Yield to maturitya) Yield of the bonds mean the
issuers can recall the bond before the maturityannual return from an investment expressed as a
date.b) All Bonds are assumed to be non-callable,% of its market priceb) At maturity, holder of
unless otherwise stated in the prospective whenthe bond receive the face value of the bond
bonds are issued.c) Like other bonds, investorsregardless of the price paid for it.c) If there are
wanting to sell a callable bond must find a buyeraccrued interest owing on a bond, but not yet
or wait until the maturity date.paid than bonds are sold at a certain price, plus
2. Convertible bondsaccrued interest.
Some bonds give bondholders the option of7. Commission for bond sellinga) Commission is not
exchanging the security for a specified number ofcharged on bonds, instead, the dealers add their
common shares of the company allowing theprofit to the buying or selling price known as
investors of a debt security the possibility ofspread.
capital gain.Example:
3. Retractable bonds$1,000 bond may be sold to a broker for $965,
Retractable bonds permit the holder to shortenor purchased for $980. The broker makes $15
the maturity date are called retractable bonds.for purchasing and selling the same bond. The $15
4. Floating Ratefloating rate means that the bondis a spread.
interest rate changes according to the current