There are three main credit ratings agencies which hold a lot of clout with their ratings. These are Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch.
As well as providing other ratings, these agencies give ratings for bonds.
So how do these bond credit ratings work?
Let's take a closer look…
The main categories of bond credit ratings
There are two main categories that bonds fall i... ››› more
If you have looked into bonds, you've probably come across a yield curve.
So what exactly is a yield curve? And what are yield curves for?
Read on to find out…
What is a yield curve?
A yield curve is a chart showing the interest rates offered on the bonds of a borrower against its maturity dates.
When you buy bonds, you lend money to the issuer of the bond. In return for this,... ››› more
Investing in bonds offers you a number of advantages.
If you hold higher risk investments like stocks, buying bonds lowers your overall investment risk.
If you're looking for a regular income from your investments, bonds tick this box too.
And if you want to invest your money for a specific period of time, bonds are perfect.
So if you want to invest in bonds, how do you do so?
There... ››› more
If you want to put some cash away for the long-term, look at RSA Retail Savings Bonds.
Buying these bonds has a number of advantages.
So what exactly are RSA Retail Savings Bonds? And why should you buy them?
Read on to find out…
RSA Retail Savings Bonds explained
When you buy RSA Retail Savings Bonds, you’re lending money to the South African government. In return for this l... ››› more
Much of the emphasis of your investment portfolio may be on the stocks you pick. But there's a crucial asset class you should also include.
This asset class is bonds. As a fixed-interest investment, it comes with a number of benefits.
So what are these benefits? And how can you invest in bonds?
Read on to find out…
Why you should invest in bonds
By investing in bonds you can be... ››› more
Including bonds in your investment portfolio helps to add some stability and lower its overall risk. Plus, you'll have regular interest payments to look forward to.
So what's the best way to invest in bonds? Should you buy into bonds directly or through a bond fund?
Let's take a closer look…
The pros and cons of investing directly in bonds
You can invest directly in bonds through ... ››› more
Investing in bonds may not offer you the level of potential gains of investing in stocks, but they play an important role in your portfolio.
So what are bonds? Why should you invest in them? And how can you invest in bonds?
Read on to find out…
What are bonds?
Bonds are fixed-interest securities. When you buy bonds, you’re lending the issuer money. In return for this loan, you... ››› more
When you buy bonds, you loan money to a government or corporation.
In return for this loan, you receive interest payments twice a year until the end of the term of the bond.
There are certain definitions that you need to understand when it comes to buying bonds.
Let's take a closer look at what these terms are and how they work in relation to bonds…
The basics of bonds
Here are... ››› more
When you buy bonds, you lend the bond issuer money. In return for this ‘loan,' the bond issuer pays you interest until the bond matures.
There are two main types of bonds you can buy: Corporate bonds and government bonds.
So what's the difference between these types of bonds?
Read on to find out…
What are bonds?
Bonds are known as fixed-income securities. This is because for ... ››› more
Investing in bonds is generally a safer investment option to investing in shares. But this doesn't mean they don't come with risks.
If you're looking to buy into different bonds, how can you compare them?
One way to do it is to use the yield spread.
Read on to find out more…
What is the yield spread?
The yield spread is the difference in interest rates (yields) offered by diffe... ››› more
If you're looking for an investment opportunity with lower risk than investing in shares, bonds are worth considering. They're also a good addition to your portfolio to lower your overall investment risk.
So if you want to buy bonds, what are your options?
There are five main ways you can gain exposure to bonds.
Read on to find out what these are…
How to invest in bonds
#1: B... ››› more
Bonds are a low-risk investment option. They have a number of uses depending on what your investment goals are.
So what role can bonds play in your financial future?
Let's take a closer look…
Why investing in bonds can be a wise decision
There can be a variety of reasons for investing in bonds. It depends on your circumstances, and your investment and financial goals.
To see ho... ››› more
If you want to have low-risk investments in bonds, one thing you need to consider is whether your investment returns are at least keeping up with inflation.
If they aren't, then you're actually losing money.
So if you want to invest in inflation-linked bonds, what are your options?
Let's take a closer look at two of them…
Keep up with inflation with inflation-linked RSA Retail Sav... ››› more
If you're looking for a stable investment that pays you an income, you can't look past bonds.
If you want to invest in bonds, you have two main options: You can invest in a bond unit trust or you can invest in bonds directly.
So which route is best for you?
Read on to uncover the pros and cons of investing in bond funds and directly…
Investing in bonds: The pros and cons of unit t... ››› more
You may want to invest in bonds as they provide you with an income and reduce the risk of your portfolio.
So are there optimum times to invest in bonds and bond funds?
It worthwhile considering what's going on with interest rates and inflation. These two economic factors can have an effect on the price of bonds.
Let's take a closer look…
The relationship between interest rates and... ››› more
If you're looking for income and a low-risk investment option, bonds could be for you.
But what if you want to widen your horizon from the shores of South Africa? How easy is it to invest in offshore bonds?
It has never been easier. Read on to find out more…
Investing in international bonds
If you opt to invest in South African bonds, you’re limited to government bonds and South... ››› more
Investing in shares has its advantages. There's the potential to make bumper returns as the stock market soars, but with this comes the real risk that the market will crash, taking your shares with it.
What can you do to overcome this?
One option is to have a portion of your portfolio in bonds. This will offset some of the higher risks associated with the stock market. And you have the added... ››› more
When you think about investing, the first thing that may spring to mind is stocks. But that isn't the only vehicle to invest in.
You can look to fixed-interest instruments like bonds.
So what are bonds? And what are the advantages of having exposure to bonds in your investment portfolio?
Read on to find out…
What are bonds?
Bonds are a way for governments and big companies to r... ››› more
Bonds come with a lower risk factor than investing in shares. If you like the idea of taking on less risk and receiving a regular income, bonds could be perfect for you.
But bonds are sensitive to interest rates. They perform in the opposite direction to rates. So you need a strategy to help you overcome this. And that's where a bond ladder comes in.
So how can you build one? Read on to find... ››› more
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