Leverage and gearing are financial terms that refer to the use of debt by a company to increase investment exposure and potential returns. These terms are often used interchangeably; however, regional preferences exist. In British English and European finance, the term “gearing” is more common, while American finance typically uses “leverage.” Leverage refers to the…
Capital structure is the combination of debt and equity used by a company to finance its operations and growth. It is a core component of a company’s financial strategy, determining the optimal mix of debt and equity to fund business activities. Striking the right balance between these components impacts costs, risks, and growth potential. A…
Duration is a key financial metric used to measure a bond’s sensitivity to interest rate changes, also reflecting the risk of retirement liabilities. In investing, duration represents the number of years required to recover a bond’s true cost, calculated based on the present value of all future coupon and principal payments. Key Properties of Duration…
The Current Yield on a bond represents the percentage return an investor can expect to earn over the next year if they purchase the bond at its current market price. It provides a snapshot of the bond’s income-generating potential relative to its market value. Formula for Current Yield The current yield is calculated using the…
(This article explains the method of calculating the value of a coupon bond factors in the annual or semi-annual coupon payment and the par value of the bond.) Bond valuation is the process by which an investor estimates the theoretical fair value, or intrinsic worth, of a bond. Like any security or capital investment, a…
Definition of Optionality in Bonds Optionality in bonds refers to the option-like features embedded within certain bonds. These features, known as embedded options, provide either the bond issuer or the bondholder with specific rights, though not obligations, to take certain actions in the future. What Are Embedded Options in Bonds? Embedded options are integral components…
A bond is a debt instrument issued by a company or the government to raise capital by borrowing from investors. Bond investors are debt holders (lenders/creditors), while the bond issuer is obligated to pay bondholders interest (the coupon) at a predetermined rate and repay the principal on the maturity date. Like bank deposit receipts, bond…
Bonds: A bond is a debt instrument issued by a company or the government to raise capital by borrowing from investors. The investors in bonds are debt holders (lenders/creditors). The bond issuer is obliged to pay bondholders interest (the coupon) at a pre-decided rate and to repay the principal on a due date known as…
What is Debt? Debt refers to an amount of money borrowed by one party from another. It typically involves a borrower who owes money to a lender. While the terms “loan” and “debt” are often used interchangeably, a loan is a specific type of debt with defined repayment terms. Common Forms of Debt Types of…
(This post explicates the difference between coupon rate and yield to maturity) Bonds: A bond is a debt instrument issued by a company or the Government to raise capital by way of borrowing from the investors. The investors in the bonds are debt holders (lenders/creditors). The issuer of bonds is obliged to pay bondholders the…