Investing in Bonds: An Ultimate Guide for UK Investors in 2022

In this article, we'll take a look at the basics of investing in bonds, including what they are, how they work, and the various  bond classifications that are available. We'll also discuss the risks and rewards associated with bond investing, and provide some tips on how to get started.

What are bonds?

Bonds are debt securities that are issued by corporations and governments to raise capital. When you purchase a bond, you are lending money to the issuer, who agrees to pay you back the principal plus interest over a specified period of time.

Bonds are essentially loan agreements between investors and borrowers. The borrower could be a government, a corporation, or any other entity that needs to raise money. In exchange for loaning the money, the investor receives regular payments (known as coupons) until the bond matures, at which point the principal is returned.

Register

How do bonds work?

When a bond is issued, its terms are outlined in a contract known as an indenture. This document specifies the interest rate, maturity date, and other important details about the bond. The issuer is then obligated to make regular interest payments to bondholders until they mature, at which point the principal is returned.

Bond prices are determined by a number of factors, including the creditworthiness of the issuer, the coupon rate, and the prevailing interest rates in the market. When they rise, bond prices usually fall, and vice versa. This happens because when rates go up, new bonds are issued at higher rates, making existing bonds less attractive to investors.

What are the different bond classifications?

Bonds typically fall into three broad categories: corporate bonds, municipal bonds, and government bonds. Less well-known are investment bonds, which are broken down into offshore (international bonds), and onshore (UK) investment bonds. We will enumerate each below. 

Corporate bonds

Corporate bonds are authorised and regulated by private companies to raise capital for expansion, acquisitions, or other purposes. They typically offer a high yield, but they also carry more risk due to the probability that the issuer may default on the loan. Before issuance, bonds will be assigned a rating by one of the major credit rating agencies, such as Standard & Poor's or Moody's, which indicates the risk involved. Bond ratings range from AAA, indicating a very low risk of default, to D, indicating a high risk as the issuing party is no longer able to fulfill their debt obligations.

Government bonds

Government bonds are authorised and regulated by the federal government to finance its operations. In the US, they are also known as Treasuries or T-Bonds. They typically don’t offer a high yield, but they are also considered to be the safest since there is little risk of default within such countries as the UK or the US. They issued by countries in emerging markets may offer higher yields, but they also come with a higher risk of default. They are considered long term investments with maturities that typically range from 10 to 30 years.

Municipal bonds

Municipal bonds are issued by state and local governments to finance infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, and schools. They generally offer a high yield like corporate bonds, but they may be exempt from federal, state, and local taxes, making them an attractive option for investors in high tax brackets. 

They are typically considered to be safe investments, as the issuing entity is backed by the full faith and credit of the government. However, they are still subject to certain risks, such as the possibility of default if the issuing government is unable to generate enough revenue to meet its obligations or changes in tax policy.

Offshore (International) investment bonds

Offshore investment bonds, sometimes called international investment bonds, are issued by companies outside of the UK and enable individuals to grow their savings and investments tax-free. 

They offer high levels of investor protection while providing a range of asset and investment options. Offshore bonds are typically for medium to long term investments and investors can withdraw up to 5% from their bonds for up to 20 years without a UK tax charge. Additional taxes may be levied depending on your income level and whether you decide to bring the funds into the UK.  

Onshore (UK) investment bonds

Onshore UK investment bonds are related to assets, investments, and business activity within the UK. They are non-income producing investments and thus are treated differently than other UK-based investments. This means that investors will not have Capital Gains Tax or basic rate Income Tax liability on bond gains. Like offshore investment bonds, they make a great medium to long term investment and you can withdraw up to 5% of funds added annually without paying an immediate tax. 

Would you like to learn more about the Best Ways to Invest Money in 2022? Watch our video below:

Features of investment bonds

Bonds are unique long term investment vehicles that offer several features and benefits that are not found in other types of investments.

Some of these features include:

1. Safety — Bonds are often seen as one of the safest types of investments, as they offer a fixed interest rate and are backed by the full faith and credit of the issuing entity. Compared to stocks, which can fluctuate wildly in value, they tend to be much more stable.
   Liquidity — Bonds are also typically highly liquid, meaning they can be easily sold or converted into cash. Bond liquidity is influenced by the size of the market, the type of bond, the issuer, and seller pressure. Liquidity may dry up and prices may fall sharply when a collection of bond owners attempt to sell their bonds at the same time.
2. Diversification — Bonds can also be used to diversify an investment portfolio, as they tend to behave differently than stocks. This means that they can provide a measure of protection against losses in other parts of an investor's portfolio. 

Among other things investors should consider are the following: 

1. Requirements for investors — To invest in bonds, investors typically need to have a brokerage account. Some may be available for purchase directly from the issuer, but this is generally not the case for other classes. 
2. Investment terms — The key terms associated with bonds include the principal, maturity date, coupon rate, and yield. The principal is the amount of money that was originally loaned by the bondholder. It is also known as the face value or par value. The maturity date is the date on which it will mature, and the issuer will repay the principal to the bondholder. The coupon is related to the interest rates that will be paid to the bondholder at regular intervals and the yield is the effective return.
3. Tax requirements — Interest payments on bonds are typically taxable at the federal level, but they may also be subject to state and local taxes. In addition, capital gains from the sale of bonds may also be subject to taxation. The tax treatment of bonds can vary depending on the type of bond, the issuer, and the investor's tax bracket. 

Changes that can trigger taxes

Bonds pay if you do everything right. To get out of your investment then it’s vital to understand how your actions trigger various tax laws. Below are two important triggers to take into account. 

5% tax-deferred allowance

The 5% tax-deferred allowance is a tax law that enables investors to withdraw up to 5% of their investment into a bond annually without having to pay any immediate taxes until they recapture their original investment. Exceeding this alliance will result in a gain. Any unused funds carry over to the next year. 

Assigning bonds

When an investor assigns their bond to a beneficiary, that beneficiary is treated as though they have always been the owner. This allows said beneficiaries to cash in the bond at their tax rate. Deeds can typically be given to minors because they cannot be directly assigned as beneficiaries.   

Benefits of investment bonds

Investment bonds offer several benefits that make them an attractive investment option for investors looking to manage systematic risk. As mentioned above, bonds tend to be much more stable than stocks, which makes them an ideal investment for risk-averse investors or investors nearing retirement. 

In addition, bonds offer diversification benefits, as they often react differently than stocks to economic conditions. This means that they can provide a measure of protection against losses in other parts of an investor's portfolio.

Bonds also offer liquidity benefits, as they can usually be sold or converted into cash quickly. This is particularly useful for investors who may need to access their capital to be put to use elsewhere. Bonds may also reduce an investor's tax burden, as some kinds of bonds offer tax-advantaged status. 

Finally, bonds typically offer higher returns than savings accounts and other types of fixed-income investments. For example, the average yield on a 10-year UK government bond is currently about 2.12% as of April 2022, while the average yield on a savings account is less than 0.5%

Risks of investment bonds

Investment bonds also come with several risks that investors should be aware of before investing. The most significant risk is that bond prices will fall with higher interest rates. This is because when they go up, bond prices usually go down as investors can get a higher return by investing in a new bond with a higher coupon rate. 

As a result, the price of the older bond will typically fall to make it more attractive to new investors. Another risk to consider is credit risk, which is the risk that the issuer of a bond will default on its payments. This is generally more of a concern with corporate bonds than government bonds, as corporations are more likely to experience financial difficulties than governments.

There is also an inflationary risk to consider, which is the risk that the purchasing power of the interest payments will be eroded by inflation, as many parts of the world are currently experiencing. 

Finally, the bond market generally lacks the level of transparency seen in the stock market. This is because there is no central exchange where bonds are traded and pricing information is not as readily available. As a result, it can be more difficult for investors to find good deals on bonds relative to the stock market. This lack of transparency can make it easier for Wall Street firms and large institutions to take advantage of retail investors.

How to buy bonds

Investors can purchase bonds directly from the issuer or through a broker. For example, EU bonds can be purchased directly from the European Commission on their website. When purchasing them directly from an issuer, it is important to be aware of any minimum investment requirements that may be in place.

When buying them through a broker, investors will typically have to pay a commission. full-service brokers will provide advice and guidance to their clients, while discount brokers simply execute trades on behalf of their clients.

Municipal bonds can also be purchased directly from the issuer, which is typically a state or local government. Corporate bonds are usually only available through brokers. For example, investors seeking to add green investment bonds to their portfolios can visit its website, and select a Prudential investment bond that fits their needs.

Investors can also purchase a bond fund through an exchange-traded fund (ETF), which is a type of investment fund that tracks a basket of assets and is traded like a stock on the stock market. These ETFs offer exposure to a wide variety of euro-denominated investment-grade bonds and can be purchased through a broker.

Would you like to know is P2P lending a safe investment? Watch our video below:

Final thoughts: are bonds a good investment in 2022?

Bonds have traditionally been a good investment option for investors looking to manage systematic risk. As mentioned above, bonds tend to be much more stable than stocks, which makes them an ideal investment for risk-averse investors. In addition, bonds offer diversification benefits, as they often react differently than stocks to economic conditions. This means that they can provide a measure of protection against losses in other parts of an investor's portfolio.

However, it is important to remember that bonds come with risks, the most significant of which is interest rate risk. This is the risk that bond prices will fall as interest rates rise. With the governments signaling three to four interest rate hikes in 2022, this is a significant risk that bond investors need to be aware of. 

The current low interest rate environment means that many bonds are yielding less than 2%, which may not be enough to keep up with inflation. For these reasons, it is important for investors to carefully consider their investment objectives and risk tolerance before investing in bonds.

Want to join our community? Click the button below:

Register

1 - According to the data provided by Vanguard Investments, September 2021 
The information in this article is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and cannot be considered investment advice.