A bond is a debt security providing a guaranteed return to an investor in the form of interest payments. Non-guaranteed bonds are issued by companies, municipalities, or other qualified entities and offer a return based on the creditworthiness of the issuer and the bonds market price. Bondholders of non-guaranteed bonds are relying on the issuer’s ability to pay back the principle and interest when due as opposed to a guaranteed bond which is backed by another party.
Investors typically purchase bonds as a way to diversify their portfolio and have peace of mind that their principal and interest are more likely to be paid back. However, in the case of non-guaranteed bonds, investors must be comfortable taking on the risk of potential default.
If non-guaranteed bonds are backed by the creditworthiness of the issuing group, then investors must decide for themselves if their risk tolerance extends to their investing in these types of bonds. A credit rating of the issuer helps determine the likelihood of repayment of principle and interest at specified dates.
The benefit of non-guaranteed bonds can be that the issuer is likely to offer a higher interest rate or coupon for taking on the risk. This higher interest rate or coupon can be attractive to investors who are willing to accept the risk.
For investors looking to invest in non-guaranteed bonds, there are certain criteria that should be met. The issuer should have a track record and reputation of making good on debt obligations in the past. It is also important to research the issuer’s financial condition to ensure they have the ability to make payments. Finally, investors must decide if they are willing to face the risks associated with investing in non-guaranteed bonds.
Non-guaranteed bonds can offer higher returns than guaranteed bonds due to the risk taken on by the investor. However, before investing in a non-guaranteed bond, investors should evaluate the issuer’s creditworthiness, consider the financial condition of the issuer, and decide if the additional return is worth it. Ultimately, investors must determine what risk they are comfortable with taking.