Debt Instruments and Bond Basics

In this section

• Understanding Debt Securities
  Understand debt securities as issuer obligations and investor claims on principal, interest, and repayment terms.
• Bond Features That Matter
  Learn the bond terms and categories investors use to compare structure, income, and issuer type.
  • Par Value, Coupon Rate, and Maturity
    Learn the core bond terms that determine principal repayment, income stream, and time horizon.
  • Major Types of Bonds
    Compare government, corporate, and municipal bonds by issuer, risk profile, and common investor use.
• How Bonds Are Issued and Traded
  Follow bonds from primary issuance through secondary-market trading and the roles of underwriters and brokers.
• Key Risks of Debt Instruments
  Understand the main risks of debt investing, including rate, credit, and inflation exposure.