Lecture Title: Bond Fundamentals and Valuation Part 2
Lecturer: David Zynda, Eller College of Management, University of ArizonaThis lecture delves into the intricacies of bond investments, essential for understanding the fixed-income market's structure and dynamics.
U.S. Treasury Obligations:
Significance: These instruments represent a cornerstone in the U.S. dollar fixed-income market, reflecting the government's credit reliability.
Taxation: Subject to federal taxation, providing interest income that fuels government spending, while being exempt from state and local taxes.
Categories:
T-Bills: Short-term instruments with maturities of less than 1 year, issued at a discount to par value.
Treasury Notes: Medium-term securities with maturities ranging upward to 10 years, offering semiannual interest payments.
Treasury Bonds: Long-term securities with maturities exceeding 10 years, providing regular interest payments until maturity.
TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities):
Inflation Protection: Principal and interest payments are adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), providing a hedge against inflation.
Adjustment Lag: Comes with a three-month lag on indexing values, which can affect cash flow timing.
Use Case: Ideal for investors seeking to lock in real rates of return, particularly in inflationary environments, helping to preserve purchasing power.
Example Analysis: If inflation rises by 1.5%,
Face Value Adjustment: Original face value of $1,000 increases to $1,015.
Coupon Payment Change: Original coupon payment adjusts from $17.50 (3.5% of $1,000) to $17.76, reflecting the increased principal.
Real Rate of Return: Maintains a real rate of return of 3.5% post-inflation adjustment, enhancing investment security.
Market Size: JGBs represent the second largest government bond market globally, showcasing Japan's economic strength.
Quality: Highly rated in terms of credit quality, comparable to U.S. Treasuries, and known for high liquidity, making them attractive to investors.
Maturity Segments:
Medium-term: Ranging from 2 to 4 years, appealing for investors seeking moderate risk and return.
Long-term: Typically maturing after 10 years, suitable for those seeking long-lasting investments.
Super-long: Offering maturities from 15 to 20 years, often in private placements to manage specific institutional investment strategies.
Sovereign Bonds: Commonly referred to as "gilts," these bonds are essential to financing U.K. government activities.
Maturity Types:
Short Gilts: Maturities of less than 5 years, appealing for short-term investments.
Medium Gilts: Maturing between 5 to 15 years, balancing yield and risk.
Long Gilts: Exceeding 15 years, providing stable interest income over an extended period.
Market Characteristics: Known for their high liquidity and guaranteed payment by the British government, these securities trade on the London Stock Exchange with semiannual interest payments, making them a popular choice among conservative investors.
Market Composition: Bonds issued by significant economies such as Germany, France, and Italy, contributing to a robust collective market.
Currency: All bonds are denominated in euros, reflecting the economic ties within the Eurozone and allowing diversified investment options across member countries.
Included Agencies:
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac: Important for maintaining a liquid secondary market for residential mortgages, aiding in housing market stability.
Ginnie Mae: A government agency that guarantees mortgage-backed securities issued to promote affordable housing.
Other Agencies: Support initiatives in agriculture and education (e.g., Farmer Mac and Sallie Mae) fostering economic growth and accessibility.
Perception: These bonds are regarded for their high safety, similar to Treasuries, yet subject to varying state/local taxes, depending on jurisdiction.
Types: Composed of General Obligation (GO) bonds and revenue bonds, each serving different funding needs and investor profiles.
Tax Status: Interest payments are typically exempt from federal income tax, enhancing their attractiveness to investors in higher tax brackets.
Equivalent Taxable Yield (ETY):
Formula: ETY = ( \frac{i}{1 - t} ), where ( i ) is the yield of municipal obligations and ( t ) is the marginal tax rate.
Importance: This calculation helps investors compare tax-exempt municipal yields to taxable investments effectively.
Maturities: Corporate bonds generally range from 5 to 40 years, catering to various investor time horizons.
Callable Bonds: Often feature deferred call protection, allowing issuers to refinance under favorable conditions without penalizing investors before a set period.
Example Comparison:
Oracle's bond: 3.95% coupon, maturing 2051, trades at 73.88% of par (indicating a discount).
Amgen's bond: 5.25% coupon, maturing 2030, trades at 101% of par (indicating a premium).
Yield Relation:
Yield > Coupon Rate: Indicates a discount bond, appealing for investors looking for lower purchase prices.
Yield < Coupon Rate: Classifies as a premium bond, generally preferable for safety seekers.
Types Include:
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (CMOs)
Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS)
Asset-Backed Securities (ABS)
Certificates for Automobile Receivables (CARs)
Collateralized Debt Obligations (CDOs)
Structure: These securities are typically packaged loans sold to investors, where payments are passed through from borrowers, adding layers of complexity and risk assessment.
Variable-rate Notes: Feature coupon rates that adjust periodically based on referenced market indexes like LIBOR or SOFR, adapting to market conditions.
Redemption Features: Often redeemable at par after predetermined periods boosting liquidity and attractiveness for investors looking for flexible investment options.
Characteristics: Provide no interim interest payments, instead promising a single principal payment at maturity, appealing for long-term investment strategies.
Pricing Mechanism: The valuation is based on the present value of the principal, with tax implications on implied interest accrued over the investment period.
Alternate Names: Commonly referred to as junk bonds or speculative bonds, these securities are rated below BBB, reflecting higher risk.
Emergence in the 1980s: Fueled by firms needing alternative avenues for financing, introducing a new realm of investment opportunities.
Institutional Investors: Often held by mutual funds and pension funds seeking higher returns despite increased risk, diversifying their portfolios accordingly.
Types Include:
Yankee Bonds: U.S. dollar-denominated securities issued by foreign firms within the U.S. market.
Samurai Bonds: Yen-denominated securities issued by non-Japanese firms within Japan, catering to local investor appetites.
Bulldog Bonds: British Pound-denominated securities issued by non-UK firms, allowing access to the UK capital market.
Eurobonds: Denominated in one currency (usually that of the issuer), sold in multiple international markets, facilitating cross-border investment strategies.