What are bonds? Today we will tell you in detail about this investment instrument

In our financial world, bonds are one of the most common investment instruments. In essence, they are securities issued by a company or government to raise funds for a specific type of activity, so there are different types of bonds, such as the currently popular military bonds. When you buy a bond, you are actually lending money to the issuer for a certain period of time. In other words, your money is lent to the state or a company for a certain period of time for a specific type of activity, for which you receive a percentage of profit.

One of the most important advantages of bonds is their stability and reliability. 
They usually have a fixed yield, meaning you will receive a steady interest on your investment. This makes them attractive to investors looking for a stable and conservative return. Given the yield of bonds, they can be classified as a low-risk investment for the purpose of safely storing your capital.

However, there are some risks of bonds. 
One of them is the risk of non-payment. For government bonds, this probability is very low, but there is always a certain risk that the company or the government will not be able to repay the money or pay interest. Also, bonds may be less liquid than other financial instruments, which means that they can be sold at a less favorable price. Such risks usually relate to little-known bonds from issuers with questionable credibility.

As for the yield, it can vary depending on the type, because there are many options for bonds: government bonds, corporate bonds, municipal bonds, and others. Each of these types has its own characteristics and risks. Usually, the higher the risk, the higher the yield. Thus, investors can choose bonds depending on their financial goals and the level of risk they are willing to accept.

An interesting piece of information is that bonds can also be redeemable or exchangeable. Callable bonds give the issuer the option to redeem the bonds before maturity, which provides more flexibility in managing cash flows. Exchangeable bonds allow the bonds to be exchanged for the issuer's shares under certain conditions.

It is also important to consider the currency in which the bond is invested, and it is important to take into account the inflation rate of a particular currency when investing.

In general, bonds are an important tool for the development of the capital market, providing an opportunity to attract financing and investment. They are beneficial for investors looking for stability, but require caution and risk analysis before investing, just like all other investment instruments.
Some time ago, Ukrainian military bonds were in the news, issued to raise funds for the military sector. This is a special type of bond that allows citizens and investors to finance defense and national security.

Again, roughly speaking, you lend money to the state, which uses it for military and defense purposes, and you get a % of the profit for it.

Such bonds can be issued for different terms, with different interest rates and payment terms. Investors who purchase military bonds receive income in the form of interest on their investment. Terms and yield levels vary, and you should check the current values.

It is important to add that such bonds also carry the risk of not being paid.

Why is priority given to US bonds?

1. They are safe. The United States has a stable economy with a high rating, so its bonds are considered one of the safest.
2. Liquid market. US bonds are easy to buy and sell in the market in large volumes. 
3. Stability. These bonds have already proven themselves as stable investment instruments. US bonds are backed by the government, which increases confidence in them.

Speaking of bonds, it is worth mentioning what a yield curve is:

A yield curve is an indicator graph that shows the relationship between interest rates and bond maturities.

Typically, the curve is upward sloping when long-term bonds offer higher yields than short-term bonds. When investors expect a decline in low interest rates in the future, demand for long-term bonds increases, which leads to a decrease in their yields, while short-term bonds become less attractive, which leads to an increase in their yields. When short-term bonds yield more than long-term bonds, the curve inverts. The inversion is important because it signals a potential recession. Each of the seven recessions was accompanied by an inverted yield curve.

Therefore, the indicator is of great importance to investors, banks, and economic analysts, as an inverted yield curve can indicate economic instability and low growth expectations. Banks, of course, depend on the difference between short-term and long-term interest rates to make money, and an inversion could reduce their profitability and limit lending, which could negatively impact economic growth and potential.