If a business wants to expand, one of its options is to borrow money from individual investors, pension funds, or mutual funds. The company issues bonds at various interest rates and sells them to the public. Investors purchase them with the understanding that the company will pay back their original principal (the amount the investor loaned to the company) plus any interest that is due by a set date (this is called the "maturity" date).
A bondholder is mailed a check from the company at set intervals; in the United States, it is common for bonds to pay interest twice a year. In some other countries, bonds pay interest once a year. Still other bonds can pay monthly interest. It is entirely up to the "contract" that governs the bond offering. Unfortunately, these documents can be very difficult to come by, unlike the 10K or annual report of a share of stock.
The rate of interest a bondholder earns depends on the strength of the corporation that issued the bond. For example, a blue chip is more stable and has a lower risk of defaulting on its debt. When companies such as Exxon Mobile, General Electric, et cetera, issue bonds, they may only pay 7% interest, while a much less stable start-up pays 10%. A general rule of thumb when investing in bonds is "the higher the interest rate, the riskier the bond."
Who can issue bonds? Governments, municipalities, a variety of institutions, and corporations.
There are many types of bonds, each having different features and characteristics. A few of the most notable are zero coupon and convertible.
For new investors, one of the biggest risks of investing in bonds is something known as bond spreads. This huge hidden cost can result in thousands of dollars in losses if you trade your bonds frequently.
You can find more bond information in the following articles and tutorials:
- Bonds 101: What They Are and How They Work
- Municipal Bonds 101: How to Earn Money with Tax-Free Municipal Bonds
- Series EE Savings Bonds for Beginners: An Introduction to the Series EE Savings Bonds
- Junk Bonds: Don't Be Fooled by the Allure of High Interest Income
- Bond Funds vs. Bonds: Which Is Better for You, the Investor?
- The Danger of Investing in Foreign Bonds: Risks You May Not Even Realize You Had
