How to Invest in Convertible Bonds: Types, Advantages, and Definition (2024)

What are Convertible Bonds?

A convertible bond is a good source of fixed-income. The investors get interest payment until the bonds are converted in equity shares. It is comparatively safe and provides higher yields than common stock.

Types of Convertible Bonds

  • Vanilla Convertible
    The vanilla convertible bond is issued with a conversion price which is the price that the underlying stock must achieve for making the conversion profitable. The issue of the convertibles is in higher prices that are much higher than the underlying stock price. If the bond is converted, the unpaid accrued interest of the investor stands forfeited. Because of this, investors usually wait until entitled to the next interest payment before converting the bond into stock.
  • Embedded Options
    Convertibles have a call and put option embedded over it. A call option provides the right to the issuer to vigorously redeem the bonds before maturity for a pre-fixed price. The call date is often staggered across many years after the issue date. Call options do not appeal to investors, who need additional yield above the yields on basic convertibles or vanilla. Put options provide the investor the authority to sell the bond back to the issuer at an agreeable price. This creates a floor price on the bond which appeals to investors and thus lowers the desired yield on the bond. Many convertible bonds provide both options.
  • Mandatory Convertible
    The mandatory convertible bonds are issued by the companies with a particular conversion date. The bonds are required to be converted by the investors to the underlying stock no further than this date. These bonds often have relatively short tenures.
  • Exchangeable Bonds
    The exchangeable bonds come up with a special trait where the underlying bond and the stock are from different issuers. Exchangeable bonds do possess all the other traits of convertible bonds.
  • Contingent Convertibles
    These bonds must achieve a price above the conversion price before they get converted. The required price is often some fixed percentage above the conversion price, and the stock must trade at the required price for a pre-defined price before conversions are permitted.
  • Foreign Currency Convertible Bond
    The denominations of these convertibles are in a currency other than the denominations used in the issuer’s country. This characteristic would make the bond more preferable, because interest payments would not be based on the exchange rate fluctuations that result in fewer dollars per thousands of rupees.

How to Invest in Convertible Bonds: Types, Advantages, and Definition (1)

Features of Convertible Bonds

  • The conversion from the bond to stock can be done at certain times during the bond's life and is usually at the discretion of the bondholder.
  • A convertible bond provides the investor the option to convert the value of the outstanding bond into equity of the borrowing firm, on pre-specified terms.
  • Exercising this option leads to redemption of the bond prior to maturity, and its replacement with equity.

Why Invest in Convertible Bonds?

Investing in convertible bonds can be a good decision for many investors. You earn a fixed interest until maturity on your investment in convertible bonds. You also enjoy the stock value appreciation benefit.

How to Invest in Convertible Bonds: Types, Advantages, and Definition (2)

Advantages of Investing in Convertible Bonds

How to Invest in Convertible Bonds: Types, Advantages, and Definition (3)

Higher Yields

Convertible Bonds in India is generally considered for higher yields. The Convertible bonds yields in comparison to common stocks is high. Also, it provides a fixed income in the form of interest.

How to Invest in Convertible Bonds: Types, Advantages, and Definition (4)

Risk Level

The level of risk involved in convertible BondsIndia is less. In case the issuing company is required to go for liquidation, the bondholders are given the first preference. This, minimizes the risk of default and guarantees your investment to a certain level.

How to Invest in Convertible Bonds: Types, Advantages, and Definition (5)

Dual Benefits

An investor holding a convertible bond gets dual benefits. Apart from earning a fixed interest income as a bondholder he or she can get the bonds converted into equity shares if the company performs well.

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How to Invest in Convertible Bonds: Types, Advantages, and Definition (6)

Advantages of Investing in Convertible Bonds

How to Invest in Convertible Bonds: Types, Advantages, and Definition (7)

Higher Yields

Convertible Bonds in India is generally considered for higher yields. The Convertible bonds yields in comparison to common stocks is high. Also, it provides a fixed income in the form of interest.

How to Invest in Convertible Bonds: Types, Advantages, and Definition (8)

Risk Level

The level of risk involved in convertible BondsIndia is less. In case the issuing company is required to go for liquidation, the bondholders are given the first preference. This, minimizes the risk of default and guarantees your investment to a certain level.

How to Invest in Convertible Bonds: Types, Advantages, and Definition (9)

Dual Benefits

An investor holding a convertible bond gets dual benefits. Apart from earning a fixed interest income as a bondholder he or she can get the bonds converted into equity shares if the company performs well.

How to Invest in Convertible Bonds: Types, Advantages, and Definition (10) How to Invest in Convertible Bonds: Types, Advantages, and Definition (11)

Who Should Invest in Convertible Bonds?

Investing in Convertible Bonds is a good option for investors looking for fixed interest rate and the flexibility to convert the bonds into equity at the time the company starts performing well. The default risk in Convertible debt is minimal.

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How to Invest in Convertible Bonds: Types, Advantages, and Definition (12)

Frequently Asked Questions

A convertible bond is a corporate debt security and a source for a fixed income. It provides periodic returns until it is converted into equity shares.

The key convertible bonds types are Vanilla convertible bonds, Mandatory convertibles, and Reverse convertibles.

Investing in convertible bonds is relatively safe. An investor gets the option to get the purchased bonds converted into equity shares.

No, private organisations cannot issue convertible bonds.

Companies issuing Convertible Bonds get the advantage of Tax benefit and low interest payments.

Individual Convertible Bonds should be bought through a professional broker or convertible bond expert at BondsIndia.

The point at which the conversion option becomes worthless and the lowest value to which a bond can drop is known as the floor value of the convertible bond.

How to Invest in Convertible Bonds: Types, Advantages, and Definition (2024)

FAQs

What are the advantages of convertible bonds? ›

By this logic, the convertible bond allows the issuer to sell common stock indirectly at a price higher than the current price. From the buyer's perspective, the convertible bond is attractive because it offers the opportunity to obtain the potentially large return associated with stocks but with the safety of a bond.

What is the type of convertible bond? ›

Vanilla Convertible Bond: This is the most common type of convertible bond. It has a fixed coupon rate and a fixed conversion ratio. Mandatory Convertible Bond: This type of convertible bond has a predetermined conversion date and a fixed conversion ratio.

How to buy a convertible bond? ›

Many brokerages don't offer them as a direct investment because they tend to be a bit more complicated than other types of bonds. You may only be able to purchase convertible bonds through a financial advisor or investment advisor that specifically offers these types of fixed-income investments.

When to invest in convertible bonds? ›

When overall market volatility increases, convertible bonds tend to do better because all of their associated defense mechanisms kick in.

Are convertible bonds good investments? ›

Convertible bonds are designed to give investors the opportunity to participate in a rising market and offer protection when equities are sinking. Historically, their returns tend to be higher than corporate bonds, according to Morningstar Direct data. This even though they offer a lower interest rate.

What are the disadvantages of convertible bonds? ›

However, convertible bonds also have some disadvantages for investors. One of them is that they usually have a lower coupon rate than regular bonds, which means they sacrifice some current income for the conversion option.

Are convertible bonds debt or equity? ›

Like other bonds, convertible bonds are considered debt. In exchange for the use of investor funds, the company agrees to pay the investor a set rate of interest referred to as the coupon rate. Unlike other bonds, convertibles also give the holder the right to convert the bond into shares of stock.

What happens when a convertible bond matures? ›

The maturity date is the date on which the convertible note must be repaid, either in cash or through conversion into equity. The convertible note ceases to exist beyond the maturity date, though both parties may agree that the note may be rolled into a new security.

What is the main reason for issuing convertible bonds? ›

Convertible bonds are corporate bonds that can be exchanged for common stock in the issuing company. Companies issue convertible bonds to lower the coupon rate on debt and to delay dilution.

How to make money with convertible bonds? ›

If the stock price has decreased since the bond's issue date, the investor can hold the bond until maturity and get paid the face value. If the stock price increases significantly, the investor can convert the bond to stock and either hold or sell the stock at their discretion.

Are convertible bonds tax free? ›

Purchase. The purchase of convertible debt is not a taxable event to the holder unless he transfers appreciated or depreciated property in exchange for the debt. Similarly, the issuer's receipt of proceeds from issuing convertible debt is not a taxable event.

What is a convertible bond for dummies? ›

Convertible bonds are a type of hybrid debt security that gives the bondholder the option to convert the bonds into shares of the issuer's common stock. This blend of debt and equity characteristics offers benefits to both investors and issuers.

What is the biggest risk in convertible bonds? ›

Dilution of Ownership: One of the biggest risks of convertible bonds for issuers is dilution of ownership. When investors convert their bonds into equity, they receive new shares in the company, which increases the number of outstanding shares.

Why do investors like convertible bonds? ›

Investors are often attracted to convertibles' reduced vulnerability to interest rate moves. The equity characteristics of convertible bonds have made them less susceptible to rising interest rates than non-convertible bonds.

What is one disadvantage of investing in convertible bonds? ›

Other disadvantages mirror those of utilizing straight debt, although convertible bonds do entail a greater risk of bankruptcy than preferred or common stocks, and the shorter the maturity, the greater the risk.

What are the pros and cons of convertible securities? ›

The advantages of convertible bonds include income generation, capital appreciation potential, and downside protection. However, they may have lower interest rates compared to non-convertible bonds, and their market value may be affected by fluctuations in interest rates and the underlying stock price.

What are the benefits of a convertible note? ›

Convertible note financings are simpler to document from a legal perspective. This means that they are generally less expensive from a legal perspective and that the rounds can be closed more quickly.

What are the advantages of convertible stocks? ›

Convertibles offer yields plus a low-cost call option

Credit sensitive convertibles exhibit less equity sensitivity and more bond-like characteristics such as higher yields, higher conversion premium, and less downside risk relative to the common stock.

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