#Essential
Value-at-risk (VaR)
Risk is one of those ideas every investor talks about, but few are comfortable putting a number to. Losses feel abstract until markets move sharply and portfolios react in ways that were not fully anticipated. Over time, this gap between knowing risk exists and measuring it led to the development of value at risk. Value […]
What are 54EC Bonds or Capital Gain Bonds
What are 54EC Bonds or Capital Gain Bonds 54EC or Capital Gain Bonds are investments in bonds that help you save tax. Capital Gain Bonds have been designed specifically to encourage people to invest in long-term infrastructure projects led by government-owned PSUs and in return offer investors a tax saving mechanism. The name is derived […]
What are Commercial Papers?
Introduction Businesses often find themselves needing quick, short-term funding to keep things running smoothly, whether it’s managing daily operations, buying inventory, or bridging gaps between receivables and payables. In these situations, having immediate access to funds is crucial. One effective tool for meeting these short-term financial needs is commercial paper. In this article, we’ll break […]
What Are Contingent Convertible Bonds and How Do They Work?
A bond usually pays interest and returns the principal on maturity. But some bonds can change their form when the issuing bank runs into financial trouble. Contingent Convertible Bonds, commonly called CoCo bonds, are built for such situations. They can absorb losses by converting into shares or by reducing the amount owed to investors. Key […]
What are Corporate Bonds? Meaning, Types, Features & How to Invest in India
A corporate bond is a type of debt security issued by a corporation to raise capital. Investors who purchase a corporate bond lend money to the company for a specified period and receive periodic interest payments. At the end of the bond term, the company repays the bond’s principal. As of March 31, 2024, the […]
What Are Credit Rating Agencies?
Introduction Investing in bonds or debt instruments involves evaluating the creditworthiness of issuers—a task that can feel daunting without the right guidance. This is where credit rating agencies step in, offering a trustworthy way to assess the financial trustworthiness of entities issuing debt. In India, these agencies are vital to the financial ecosystem, empowering investors […]
What is a Debt Mutual Fund? Meaning, Types & How to Invest
Most Indian investors either park money in fixed deposits or dive headfirst into equity. There is a whole middle ground they are missing, and it is called debt funds. Not boring. Not risk-free either. Just widely misunderstood. Consider a retired government officer from Nagpur who kept his entire life savings in an SBI savings account […]
What Are Floating Rate Bonds?
Bonds are debt instruments that loan money to their issuers. It is a type of borrowing where the issuer borrows funds at an interest rate that is either fixed or variable. A government, a bank, or a corporation may issue a bond. Bonds can be issued either at fixed rates or at floating rates. Here, […]
What are Fully Accessible Route (FAR) bonds
Introduction In a landmark development for India’s debt market, on June 28, 2024, JP Morgan added 29 Indian government securities under the FAR program to its highly regarded Emerging Market Bond Index (EMBI). This development is expected to enhance foreign investor participation and attract substantial inflows into the Indian bond market. The decision marks India’s […]