OUT OF THIS WORLD BONDS

Markets provide various kinds of bonds, but some of the lesser-known and more distinct bonds can counter potential problems that can emerge in an investment portfolio. The following are three of the less popular bonds with corresponding terms and indentures.

Brady Bonds

Brady bonds are US dollar-denominated bond issued by the governments of developing nations. With Brady bonds, illiquid and nonperforming debt by financial institutions can be converted into sustainable, performing debt. The terms are negotiated by both sides, enabling financial institutions to replace nonperforming asset in the balance sheets. Brady bonds also have an initial guarantee on their principal through the purchase of US Treasury zero-coupon bonds held in escrow by the US Treasury. How does it work? Brady bond replaces the ditched asset as a new one because it has a lower than 100% face value. It can be used to diversify risk internationally while shielding the portfolio from concerns arising from fluctuations.

CDOs and Tranches

A collateralized debt obligation is a structured financial product pooling cash flow-generating assets together, which are repackaged into discrete tranches to sell it to investors. CDO issuers can split the interest cash flow and principal cash flow into two different and independent credit products. In some cases, tranches are divided into even more smaller tranches according to its credit ratings. Appraising tranches is complex. For consumer-backed loans, specifically mortgages, prepayment rate on the loan is predictable based on current interest rates and economic conditions. For instance, tranches are helpful in creating portfolio in a conservatively managed fund as it can protect and maintain capital while accruing small gain. The fund could obtain highly rated, principal-only tranche and a lower rated, interest-only tranche to reach the objectives.

Lottery Bonds

This government bond offers a chance to be randomly redeemed at a value greater than par value. But some of lottery bonds do not pay interest and are not protected against inflation, compensating investors with a considerable higher redemption value. But it encourages saving. On the other hand, those who pay interest seem like ordinary fixed-rate bonds, allowing buyers to redeem it for more than its face value. Savings bonds are frequently gifted to children by their parents, giving them an opportunity to be familiar with finance at an age when they won’t understand its other aspects.