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Many individuals are interested in investing in financial markets but may find the risks and fluctuations associated with equity markets challenging. For those seeking a relatively stable investment option, bonds provide an alternative in India.
Bonds are debt instruments where an investor lends money to the bond issuer, who commits to repaying the principal amount at maturity along with periodic interest payments. The issuer could be a private or public sector company, a bank, a non-banking financial company (NBFC), or the government. The repayment terms, including interest payouts, are determined at the time of issuance.
The interest paid by the issuer is known as a coupon, while the amount invested in a bond is referred to as the bond price. Bond yield is calculated by dividing the coupon amount by the bond price, reflecting the total returns generated by the investment.
Both bonds and equities are capital market instruments; however, bonds position the investor as a creditor, while equities represent ownership in a company. Bonds are issued by businesses and governments to meet long-term financial requirements and manage expenditure. Investors often consider bonds as a more stable option compared to equities due to their structured interest payouts and lower market volatility.
Before we look at how to buy bonds in India, let’s first try to understand the concept of bonds.
Bonds are essentially debt instruments that offer a fixed income regularly, usually in the form of interest on the principal investment amount, for a certain specified tenure. At the end of the tenure, the principal investment amount is returned to the investors. Companies and governmental organisations routinely use bonds to raise funds for specific activities and projects.
Investing in bonds in India can be done through various channels. Here are the steps to consider:
Government Bonds
Government bonds are debt instruments issued by the Central and State Governments, including municipal bodies. Short-term government securities with a maturity period of less than a year are known as Treasury Bills (T-bills), while those with a maturity of over a year are classified as bonds. These bonds are considered low-risk as they are backed by the government, which has the ability to raise funds through taxation or money issuance.
Corporate Bonds
Corporate bonds are issued by companies to raise capital for expansion, operations, or other financial needs. These bonds provide investors with periodic interest payments and return the principal amount at maturity. Corporate bonds generally offer higher returns compared to fixed deposits and savings accounts. However, their risk level varies depending on the financial stability of the issuing company, making it essential for investors to conduct thorough research before investing.
Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs)
Sovereign Gold Bonds are issued by the Government of India as an alternative to physical gold investments. These bonds provide an opportunity for investors to benefit from gold price movements while also earning interest on their investment. SGBs have an eight-year tenure, with an early exit option available after the fifth year. Additionally, if held until maturity, capital gains tax exemption applies. The digital nature of these bonds eliminates the risks associated with holding physical gold.
Convertible Bonds
Convertible bonds are a type of corporate bond that offers the option to convert the bond into equity shares of the issuing company. The conversion terms, including the price and time frame, are predetermined. These bonds combine the features of both debt and equity investments, providing investors with potential capital appreciation.
RBI Bonds
In 2018, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced 7.75% taxable bonds for Indian residents and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs). These bonds are designed to provide a stable and secure investment avenue with no upper limit on investment. RBI bonds offer fixed interest payments, making them an option for those seeking predictable returns.
With this, you must now be aware of how to buy a bond in India. Now, although you can still hold bonds in the physical format, it is advisable to store them electronically in a demat account. This way, you don’t have to worry about losing or damaging the bond certificates.
Also, holding bonds in a demat account allows you to trade them in the secondary market. That said, when investing in bonds, remember to take its credit rating into account. The higher the bonds are rated, the lower their risk. Investing in high-quality bonds can increase the chances of getting steady income throughout the tenure with little to no risk of default.
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