While debt investments are considered less exciting than equity investments, they are also one of the safest choices for the investor. These investments are secured by collateral (such as a property), which provides protection from default. Furthermore, investors should choose debt investments carefully. Some important factors to consider include the loan-to-value ratio, the liquidity of collateral, and the seniority of the debt.
In recent years, banks have cut rates on fixed-income products, and investors are looking for alternatives. When considering a debt investment, safety, tax implications, and return potential are all important considerations. For example, short-term bond funds may offer better rates than intermediate-term bond funds. However, these types of debt investments also carry higher risks, which should be considered carefully.
Interest payments are the primary source of income for debt investments, but there are also a number of speculative debt instruments that trade in the secondary market, and these can lead to capital gains or losses. For example, a bond with a face value of $1,000 will mature in a few days. However, the market price of the bond will fluctuate based on interest rates and the credit rating of the issuer. Because of this, investors should choose debt investments according to their investment strategy.
Debt investments are similar to term loans in that they require regular repayments, unlike dividends, which are discretionary and require approval by a company’s board. Furthermore, the repayment schedule of debt investments makes them a good choice for passive income strategies.
