Private and public sector companies may sometimes need to raise funds for business requirements, such as the purchase of new equipment, expansion, building a new unit, etc. In these situations, they can seek loans from financial institutions or investors. To raise money from investors, companies issue corporate bonds.
This article takes a deep dive into corporate bonds, their types, benefits, who can invest in them, taxation and their limitations. Read on!
Corporate bonds are debt securities similar to an IOU. Companies use them to raise money for business operations or expansion and investors use them to offer a loan to the companies and earn interest on the amount. It is a legal understanding between the investor and the company that the company will pay regular interest and return the principal on bond maturity.
Below are the different corporate bond types that investors can buy to fund public and private sector companies and earn interest on their investment:
Here are the features of corporate bonds in India:
Following is a list of the benefits of investing in corporate bonds:
Investment bonds are considered viable investment options because the risk is low compared to other investment vehicles like equity and mutual funds. However, this also depends on the credit rating of the bond and investors can choose based on their risk appetite.
Corporate bonds offer higher rates of return as compared to government bonds and thus the returns are also relatively higher.
Corporate bonds are ideal investment options for those who wish to create a regular source of income as they offer periodic interests until maturity.
The risk is also lower on corporate bonds because they are not impacted by inflation.
If the bond issuer goes bankrupt, bondholders hold a higher priority as compared to stockholders.
Corporate bonds offer better yields as compared to government bonds. They are a good way to diversify the investment portfolio because they pose low risk, offer predictable returns and help to protect the amount invested.
Corporate bonds are ideal for those looking for a low-risk investment option. Companies, retail investors and government organizations can invest in them.
Interested investors can buy corporate bonds through a broker, bank, or bond trader. Some corporate bonds can also be bought from other investors from the over-the-counter market.
If the investor is holding a corporate bond for less than 3 years, they will have to pay short-term capital gains tax on the interest on their investment. This will depend on their tax slab. However, if the bond is held for over 3 years, the investor will have to pay long-term capital gains tax, which is 20% of the interest earned.
Corporate bonds offer better returns as compared to government bonds and thus can be a lucrative way to earn a regular income and preserve the investment. Investors looking to minimize their risk can opt for investment-grade bonds, whereas those with a higher risk appetite can choose non-investment-grade bonds.
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Ans: ICICI bank corporate bond fund, Aditya Birla Sunlife corporate bond fund, HDFC corporate bond fund, and Sundaram corporate bond fund are some top-performing funds from 2022 and are expected to do well in 2023 too.
Ans: Indian corporate bonds help to preserve capital and also offer regular interest income. The risk associated with these bonds is low and, thus, they are regarded as good investment options.
Ans: In the primary markets, corporate bonds are sold through banks, brokerage firms or bond traders. Some corporate bonds are also available in over-the-counter markets.
Ans: Investing in corporate bonds can help to earn regular interest income and keep the capital safe. They are also not impacted by inflation. Thus, buying them can be a good way to diversify the investment portfolio.
Ans: Corporate bonds are generally regarded as safe investments. However, safety also depends on the type of bond. If the issuer is financially stable, the risk of default is negligible.
Ans: When investors buy a company’s stocks, they own equity in the company and earn dividends when paid. Investing in corporate bonds, however, doesn’t offer equity. So, corporate bond investors earn only interest and get back their principal. This doesn’t change even if the stock prices rise. In case of financial trouble, the companies are legally obligated to pay principal and interest on bonds. However, they may choose not to pay dividends to shareholders in such cases.
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Disclaimer: Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme-related documents carefully.
This article has been prepared on the basis of internal data, publicly available information and other sources believed to be reliable. The information contained in this article is for general purposes only and not a complete disclosure of every material fact. It should not be construed as investment advice to any party. The article does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of the information and disclaims all liabilities, losses and damages arising out of the use of this information. Readers shall be fully liable/responsible for any decision taken on the basis of this article.
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