What are the types of bonds?
Curious about Bonds
There are many types of bonds, including:
1. Corporate bonds: These are issued by corporations to raise capital. They pay a fixed interest rate and have varying levels of credit risk depending on the issuing company's financial strength.
2. Government bonds: These are issued by governments to finance their operations or fund infrastructure projects. They typically pay a lower interest rate than corporate bonds but are considered less risky.
3. Municipal bonds: These are issued by state and local governments to finance public projects such as schools, highways, and hospitals. They are exempt from federal taxes and sometimes state and local taxes.
4. Treasury bonds: These are issued by the U.S. government to fund its operations and pay for projects. They are considered the safest type of bond because they are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
5. Agency bonds: These are issued by governmentsponsored entities such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to finance mortgages and other activities.
6. Highyield bonds: Also known as junk bonds, these are issued by companies with lower credit ratings and higher risk of default. They pay a higher interest rate to compensate for the increased risk.
7. International bonds: These are issued by foreign governments and corporations and are denominated in foreign currencies. They may offer higher interest rates but also involve currency risk.
8. Zerocoupon bonds: These are bonds that do not pay periodic interest but are issued at a discount to their face value. The investor receives the full face value at maturity.