What is a bond?

A bond is a type of investment instrument issued by the government, state-owned enterprises, or private companies on the capital market. The bond issuer borrows a certain amount of money (face value) from investors and commits to repay it with interest after a specified period, regardless of whether the issuer has made a profit.

Common terms related to bonds:

  • Face Value: The principal amount of the bond, which is repaid to investors at maturity.

  • Coupon Rate: The annual interest rate paid by the bond.

  • Maturity Date: The date when the bond expires, and the issuer repays the principal along with the interest payments to investors.

  • Bond Issuer: Refers to the government, state-owned, or private companies that issue bonds to raise capital.

Characteristics of bonds:

  • Debt instrument: By holding bonds, investors become lenders.

  • Fixed income: Investors receive regular interest payments.

  • Lower risk: Bonds generally have less risk compared to stocks.

In short, bonds are financial tools that allow organizations to raise funds while providing investors with relatively low-risk, steady income.

As of the second half of 2024, the average annual interest rate on corporate bonds in Mongolia’s open bond market is 17.8%, while on the over-the-counter market, it is 19.8%.