Everything You Need to Know About Bonds (2024)

FAQs

What do you need to know about bonds? ›

A bond is a loan that the bond purchaser, or bondholder, makes to the bond issuer. Governments, corporations and municipalities issue bonds when they need capital. An investor who buys a government bond is lending the government money.

For a $1,000 par, 10% annual coupon bond, the issuer will pay the bondholder $100 each year.5 If prevailing market interest rates are also 10% at the time that this bond is issued, an investor would be indifferent to investing in the corporate bond or the government bond since both would return $100.

Historically, bonds are less volatile than stocks.

Bond prices will fluctuate, but overall these investments are more stable, compared to other investments. “Bonds can bring stability, in part because their market prices have been more stable than stocks over long time periods,” says Alvarado.

Most bonds are issued in $1,000 denominations, so typically the face value of a bond will be just that – $1,000. You might also see bonds with face values of $100, $5,000 and $10,000.

For instance, if you invested $1,000 in a 10-year bond with a coupon rate of 4%, the issuer would send you a coupon (interest) payment of $40 every year. Most bonds pay twice a year, so you would receive two checks for $20 each.

Bonds are issued by governments and corporations when they want to raise money. By buying a bond, you're giving the issuer a loan, and they agree to pay you back the face value of the loan on a specific date, and to pay you periodic interest payments along the way, usually twice a year.

Key Points. Pros: I bonds come with a high interest rate during inflationary periods, they're low-risk, and they help protect against inflation. Cons: Rates are variable, there's a lockup period and early withdrawal penalty, and there's a limit to how much you can invest.

How much tax do I owe on my I bonds? Interest on I bonds is exempt from state and local taxes but taxed at the federal level at ordinary income-tax rates.

After weighing your timeline, tolerance to risk and goals, you'll likely know whether CDs or bonds are right for you. CDs are usually best for investors looking for a safe, shorter-term investment. Bonds are typically longer, higher-risk investments that deliver greater returns and a predictable income.

Interest Rates and Returns: Bonds often have higher interest rates than CDs. Liquidity and Access to Funds: CDs typically incur penalties for early withdrawals, while bonds can be sold before maturity without penalty; however, you may incur a loss if the price of the bond is below the purchase price.

Is a 5 year CD worth it? ›

A five-year CD is a low-risk investment with predictable returns and a significantly higher yield than traditional savings. When interest rates are high, a five-year CD allows you to lock in an attractive rate for a relatively long time.

Key Takeaways

Bonds are often touted as less risky than stocks—and for the most part, they are—but that does not mean you cannot lose money owning bonds. Bond prices decline when interest rates rise, when the issuer experiences a negative credit event, or as market liquidity dries up.

If you're saving for a goal less than a year away: If you're saving money for a goal with a short-time horizon, T-bills can make more sense than CDs. They provide a higher APY than savings accounts, and they're more liquid than CDs.

The interest income earned from a Treasury bond can result in a lower rate of return versus other investments, such as equities that pay dividends. Dividends are cash payments paid to shareholders from corporations as a reward for investing in their stock.

Bonds can be more complex than stocks, but it's not hard to become a knowledgeable fixed-income investor.

Safety: One advantage of buying bonds is that they're a relatively safe investment. Bond values don't fluctuate as much as stock prices. Income: Bonds offer a predictable income stream, paying you a fixed amount of interest twice a year.

One of the simplest ways to invest in bonds is by purchasing a mutual fund or ETF that specializes in bonds. Government bonds can be purchased directly through government-sponsored websites without the need for a broker, though they can also be found as part of mutual funds or ETFs.

The people who purchase a bond receive interest payments during the bond's term (or for as long as they hold the bond) at the bond's stated interest rate. When the bond matures (the term of the bond expires), the company pays back the bondholder the bond's face value.