All bonds are debt securities issued by organizations to raise capital for various purposes. When you buy a bond, you lend your money to the entity that issues it. In return for the loan of your funds, the issuer agrees to pay you interest and ultimately to return the face value (principal) when the bond matures or is called, at a specified date in the future known as the "maturity date" or "call date."

High-yield bonds are issued by organizations that do not qualify for "investment-grade" ratings by one of the leading credit rating agencies-Moody's Investors Service, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and Fitch Ratings. Credit rating agencies evaluate issuers and assign ratings based on their opinions of the issuer's ability to pay interest and principal as scheduled. Those issuers with a greater risk of default-not paying interest or principal in a timely manner-are rated below investment grade. These issuers must pay a higher interest rate to attract investors to buy their bonds and to compensate them for the risks associated with investing in organizations of lower credit quality. Organizations that issue high-yield debt include many different types of U.S. corporations, certain U.S. banks, various foreign governments and a few foreign corporations.

Back To Fixed Income | Back to Investment Products