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Understanding Bonds and Their Risks

 

Key Points

» Benefits and Risks of Bonds
» An Inverse Relationship: Interest Rate Risk
» Most Bonds Fall Into One of Four Categories
» Types of Bonds
» Know the Risks Associated With Bonds
» Individual Bonds vs. Bond Mutual Funds
» Points to remember

A bond is an “IOU” for money loaned by an investor to the
bond’s issuer. In return for the use of that money, the issuer
agrees to pay interest to the investor at a stated rate known as
the “coupon rate.” At the end of an agreed-upon time period when
the bond “matures” the issuer repays the investor’s
principal.

Benefits and Risks of Bonds

 

Because bonds generally may not move in tandem with stock
investments, they help provide diversification in an
investor’s portfolio. They also provide investors with a
steady income stream, usually at a higher rate than money market
investments.1 Zero-coupon bonds and Treasury bills are
exceptions: The interest income is deducted from their purchase
price and the investor then receives the full face value of the
bond at maturity.

Some bonds hold “credit risk,” or the risk that the bond issuer
will go into default before your bond reaches maturity. In that
case, you may lose some or all of the principal amount invested and
any outstanding income that is due. Bonds are often rated by
Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s (S&P). Ratings run
from Aaa (Moody’s) or AAA (S&P) through D, based on the
issuer’s creditworthiness. Aaa and AAA are the highest credit
ratings.

Despite their unpleasant name, junk bonds (so-called because of
their lower credit ratings) are fairly common investment vehicles.
They are most appropriate for investors who can withstand price
volatility in search of higher yields.

Like stocks, all bonds can present the risk of price fluctuation
(or “market risk”) to an investor who is unable to hold them until
the maturity date (when principal and interest are repaid to the
bondholder). If an investor is forced to sell or liquidate a bond
before it matures, and the bond’s price has fallen, he or she
will lose part of the principal investment as well as the future
income stream.

An Inverse Relationship: Interest Rate Risk

 

Another risk common to all bonds is interest-rate risk. When
interest rates in the economy rise, a bond’s price will
usually drop, and vice versa. Historically, bond investments have
been more stable than their stock counterparts. Moreover, because
bond investors are concerned primarily with receiving income
(instead of capital appreciation) from their bonds, they should not
be overly concerned with falling bond prices. Bond investors will
probably hold their bonds until maturity, intending to receive
their principal investment.

Most Bonds Fall Into One of Four
Categories
  • Corporate
  • Government
  • Government Agency
  • Municipal

 

Types of Bonds

 

Bonds come in a variety of forms, each bringing different benefits,
risks, and tax considerations to an investor’s portfolio. Most
bonds fall into four general categories: corporate, government,
government agency, and municipal.

  1. CORPORATE BONDS
  2. Issued by corporations, these bonds can provide an investor with a
    steady stream of income at a generally higher rate than other
    bonds.

Risk Considerations: Other than market and interest rate
risk, the primary risk associated with this type of bond is credit
risk. Another risk with some corporate bonds is that the bond could
be “called” by the issuer, who then repays the principal before the
maturity date; the debt is paid ahead of time, and the investor may
not be able to reinvest it at the same income stream.

Tax Considerations: All interest earned on a corporate
bond will be taxed as ordinary income at your usual income tax
rate. If you choose to sell a bond for profit, this “capital
appreciation” will also be taxed as a capital gain.

  • GOVERNMENT BONDS
  • Government bonds are issued by the U.S. Treasury and backed by the
    full faith and credit of the U.S. government. They include
    intermediate- and long-term Treasury bonds. Intermediate-term bonds
    mature in 3 to 10 years, whereas long-term bonds generally mature
    in periods of up to 30 years.Risk Considerations: Perhaps the lowest risk of all bond
    investments, these bonds have little credit risk because they are
    guaranteed by the U.S. government. A government bond does present
    market risk if sold prior to maturity, and also carries some
    inflation risk — the risk of its comparatively lower return
    not keeping pace with inflation. This investment could lose value
    over time.

    Tax Considerations: Treasuries are fully taxable at the
    federal level but are exempt from state and local taxes.

  • GOVERNMENT AGENCY BONDS
  • These bonds are indirect debt obligations of the U.S. government
    issued by federal agencies and government-sponsored entities.
    Examples of such organizations are the Federal National Mortgage
    Association (FNMA or “Fannie Mae”), the Government National
    Mortgage Association (GNMA or “Ginnie Mae”), and the Student Loan
    Marketing Association (SLMA or “Sallie Mae”).Risk Considerations: Next to Treasury bonds, agency and
    entity bonds are the second safest bonds in terms of credit risk.
    Because these bonds are not directly issued by the U.S. government,
    they are not necessarily backed by its full faith and credit. In
    addition to the risks inherent in government bonds, agency bonds
    run the risk of going into default, although such an occurrence is
    highly unlikely. Because of this added risk, however, these bonds
    generally offer higher yields than government bonds.

    Tax Considerations: These bonds are fully taxable at the
    federal level and, in some cases, at the state and local levels as
    well.

  • MUNICIPAL BONDS
  • Municipal bonds, or “munis,” are issued by a U.S. state, county,
    city, town, village, or local authority to raise funds for
    particular public works projects.Risk Considerations: Munis fall somewhere in the middle
    of the credit risk spectrum. The risk of default can vary depending
    on the creditworthiness of the issuer and the type of debt
    obligation.

    Tax Considerations: Perhaps the biggest advantage of most
    munis is their tax-exempt income status. Income accrues tax free at
    the federal level and, in most cases, at the state and local levels
    as well. Capital gains, on the other hand, are fully taxable.

 

Know the Risks Associated With
Bonds
  • Credit Risk The risk that a bond’s issuer will go
    into default before a bond reaches maturity.
  • Market Risk The risk that a bond’s value will
    fluctuate with changing market conditions.
  • Interest Rate Risk The risk that a bond’s price
    will fall with rising interest rates.
  • Inflation Risk The risk that a bond’s total return
    will not outpace inflation.

 

Individual Bonds vs. Bond Mutual Funds

 

Because individual bonds require initial investments ranging
anywhere from $1,000 to $100,000, many bond investors pursue their
goals through mutual funds. Providing the professional management
and diversification inherent to all funds, bond mutual funds can
offer a fixed-income element to balance out a portfolio of other
stock and money market investments. Investors should remember,
however, that bond funds do not mature; therefore, risk to
principal cannot be minimized by holding them to maturity as with
individual bonds. Also, although interest income and the principal
amount invested in government bonds is guaranteed, the funds that
invest in these bonds are not.

Although bonds are often listed second to stocks when it comes to
long-term investing benefits, their variety (and, in some cases,
their tax benefits) can be suitable to many investors. Discuss your
goals with your financial advisor, and together you can decide
whether bond investing is right for you.

Points to Remember

 

  1. A bond is an “IOU” from an issuer to an investor.
  2. A bond’s issuer agrees to repay the investor the principal
    amount invested at the bond’s maturity date, along with
    regular interest payments at the bond’s stated coupon
    rate.
  3. Bond risks include credit risk, market risk, interest-rate
    risk, and inflation risk.
  4. Most bonds fall into four general categories: corporate,
    government, government agency, and municipal.
  5. Some investors might best pursue their fixed-income goals
    through bond mutual funds, although they should remember that while
    government bonds guarantee principal and interest, the funds that
    invest in them do not. Also, bond funds do not mature; therefore,
    risk to principal cannot be avoided by holding the bonds to
    maturity.

1An investment in a money market fund is not insured or
guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any
other government agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the
value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose
money by investing in the fund.

© 2010 Standard & Poor’s Financial Communications. All
rights reserved.