If you are planning a vacation one year from now and have already calculated the total cost, but you need to accumulate a specific sum within the next year, you may consider investing in a risk-free instrument to ensure capital protection. Bank Fixed Deposits (FDs) are not suitable due to potential withdrawal charges in uncertain circumstances. The ideal option that meets all your requirements is in the money market. The money market is a segment of the Indian financial markets that primarily deals with short-term instruments. Financial institutions, including mutual funds, insurance companies, NBFCs, banks often tap the money market to meet their short-term financing needs. The money market includes instruments such as treasury bills, cash management bills, commercial papers and certificates of deposits. By investing in the money market, you can secure your funds and achieve your financial goal for the upcoming vacation. Treasury bills stand as one of the most popular and secure options in the money market segment. These short-term debt instruments issued by the Indian government hold a special place in the hearts of risk-averse investors. T-Bills offer an attractive combination of low risk and reasonable returns, making them an excellent choice for those looking to preserve capital while earning modest interest income. Welcome to the beginner’s guide to treasury bills, where we will explore the fundamentals of investing in these short-term debt instruments.
Treasury Bills, commonly referred to as T-Bills, are short-term debt instruments issued by the central government to meet its short-term financing requirements. It is crucial to note that the state government lacks authorization to issue treasury bills, as this prerogative rests solely with the central government. These instruments come with maturities ranging from 91 days, 182 days and 364 days. T-Bills are essentially zero-coupon securities i.e. they are issued at a discount to their face value and investors earn the difference between the issue price and face value as income. The 91-days T-bill is issued weekly, while the 182-days and 364-days T-bills are issued fortnightly. As of May 2023, the total outstanding amount of T-Bills in India stands at Rs 9.4 trillion, according to CCIL India.
When the government needs funds for short-term expenses, it auctions treasury bills through the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The auction process determines the cut-off yield, which becomes the discount rate for all successful bidders. Successful bidders pay the discounted price upfront to the RBI and receive the face value of the T-Bill upon maturity. The investor’s return is determined by the difference between the face value of the Treasury Bill and its discounted price.
For example, if a 91-day T-Bill with a face value of Rs. 100 is issued at a discount price of Rs. 98, the investor will receive Rs. 2 at the end of the 91-day maturity period. The Rs. 2 difference is the interest earned.
T-Bills are made available through auctions conducted by the RBI, which are announced beforehand. These auctions allow for both competitive and non-competitive bids. Competitive bids are submitted by participants willing to purchase securities at a specified price. Non-competitive bidding, on the other hand, allows individuals to invest in T-Bills at the weighted average yield of the auction. Investors can place bids for T-Bills through RBI’s E-Kuber platform and this method is particularly beneficial for retail investors who prefer a straightforward approach. T-Bills are readily tradable on the secondary market, accessible through exchanges, various online bond trading platforms, or even RBI retail direct. In case of online bond platforms, all you need is a demat account, along with completing the necessary KYC verification and fulfilling the required formalities. Additionally, for RBI retail direct, you will be required to open a Subsidiary General Ledger (SGL) account with RBI. Once these steps are completed, you can choose any of the abovementioned routes to invest in T-Bills. The minimum investment order value for Treasury Bills is ₹10,000 and investors can invest in multiples of ₹10,000 thereafter. Profits earned through T-Bills are subject to short-term capital gains (STCG) tax at rates applicable according to the income tax slab.
Safety and Security: T-Bills are considered one of the safest investment options available since they are backed by the Indian government’s creditworthiness. The risk of default is negligible, making them ideal for risk-averse investors.
Liquidity: T-Bills are highly liquid instruments. Investors can sell them on the secondary market before maturity to realize their investments. Moreover, banks and financial institutions are willing to buy back T-Bills, providing ease of exit.
Short-Term Investment Horizon: T-Bills are particularly suitable for those with short-term financial goals, such as saving for a holiday or building an emergency fund.
Diversification: Including T-Bills in an investment portfolio can enhance diversification, reducing the overall risk exposure.
Interest Rate Risk: Although T-Bills are short-term instruments, they are not entirely immune to interest rate fluctuations. If an investor needs to sell T-Bills before maturity, they may face the risk of receiving a price lower than the purchase price due to changes in interest rates.
Inflation Risk: T-Bills offer a fixed return and if the rate of inflation surpasses the return, the investor’s purchasing power may erode.
Reinvestment Risk: For investors who rely on the income from T-Bills, reinvesting the proceeds at prevailing interest rates at the time of maturity could be a challenge, especially if rates have fallen.
Treasury bills are a cornerstone of the fixed-income asset class in the Indian financial market. Issued by the Indian government, T-bills are short-term and low-risk debt instruments. They serve as an excellent avenue for the government to meet their short-term needs, while also providing investors with safety, liquidity and reasonable returns. By understanding the benefits and risks associated with T-Bills, investors can make informed decisions and potentially include them in their investment portfolios to achieve their financial goals.
A. Treasury bills meaning refers to short-term debt instruments issued by the government, offering an avenue for investors to invest securely and earn returns based on the difference between the discounted price and the face value upon maturity.
A. Treasury bills offer competitive returns compared to traditional savings accounts and fixed deposits. The returns vary based on the auction yield, prevailing interest rates and the chosen maturity period. Before investing, it is essential to understand the treasury bills definition, which refers to short-term debt instruments issued by the government with maturities of 91 days, 182 days and 364 days.
A. Yes, T-Bills are highly liquid instruments. Investors can sell them on the secondary market before maturity to realize their investments. Banks and financial institutions are also willing to buy back T-Bills, providing ease of exit.
A. While treasury bills are considered low-risk, they are not entirely immune to interest rate fluctuations. If an investor needs to sell T-Bills before maturity, they may face the risk of receiving a price lower than the purchase price due to an increase in interest rates. Investors must carefully assess treasury bills risk before making investment decisions.
A. Treasury bills can serve various financial planning purposes, such as building emergency funds, achieving short-term financial goals, preserving capital and mitigating risks in an investment portfolio. Understanding the treasury bills benefits can help investors make informed decisions for their financial goals.
A. Yes, foreign investors can participate in the T-Bill auctions under the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) specified guidelines and through eligible channels like the Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) route.
Disclaimer: Investments in debt securities/ municipal debt securities/ securitised debt instruments are subject to risks including delay and/ or default in payment. Read all the offer related documents carefully.
