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Eurobonds are a type of bond that is issued in a currency other than the issuer's local currency. This allows investors from different countries to invest in the bond.
They are typically denominated in a major currency like the US dollar or euro, making them attractive to investors looking for a stable investment opportunity.
Eurobonds can be issued by companies or governments, and they offer a fixed rate of return to investors. The interest rate is usually higher than that of traditional bonds, making them more appealing to investors seeking higher returns.
Investing in eurobonds can provide a hedge against inflation and currency fluctuations, as the returns are typically denominated in a stable currency.
What is a Eurobond?
A Eurobond is a debt instrument denominated in a currency other than the home currency of the country or market in which it is issued. This means it's a way for organizations to raise capital in a different currency.
Eurobonds are often grouped together by the currency in which they are denominated, such as eurodollar or Euro-yen bonds.
These bonds are usually issued by an international syndicate of financial institutions on behalf of the borrower, which may underwrite the bond, guaranteeing its purchase.
A Eurobond's bond currency is different from the local currency of the country where it is issued. For example, a Japanese company can issue bonds in dollars, rather than its own currency, yen, in Japan.
International Bond Categories
International Bond Categories offer a range of options for issuers and investors. There are three main types of international bonds, including Global bonds, Brady bonds, and Eurobonds.
Eurobonds are particularly interesting because they can be issued in a currency that's not the issuer's home currency. For example, a US-based company can issue Eurobonds in China in British pounds.
Global bonds and Eurobonds share some similarities, but Global bonds have some extra features. Global bonds can be issued and traded in the currency of the issuer's country or the country where it's issued.
Here are the three main categories of international bonds:
- Global bonds
- Brady bonds
- Eurobonds
Eurobonds are attractive to investors because they often have small par values or face values, making them a low-cost investment. They're also highly liquid, meaning they can be bought and sold easily.
Benefits and Risks
Eurobonds offer a range of benefits to issuers, including flexibility to choose the country of issuance based on regulatory landscape, interest rates, and market depth. This flexibility can help issuers avoid currency risks and access a huge range of bond maturity periods.
For investors, Eurobonds provide exposure to foreign investments while staying in their own country, making them a great way to diversify portfolios. They are also cheap, highly liquid, and can be converted into cash within one fiscal year.
The benefits to issuers and investors are numerous, including flexibility, diversification, and low costs. Here are some of the key benefits:
- Flexibility to choose a favorable country to originate bonds and currency
- Avoidance of currency risk or forex risk by using Eurobonds
- Access to a huge range of bond maturity periods
- International bond trade despite being issued in a certain country that broadens potential investor base
- Exposure to foreign investments while staying in their own country
- Low costs and high liquidity
However, it's worth noting that there are also risks associated with international bonds, including higher trading costs, sovereign risks, and currency risks.
Benefits of Investing in Bonds
Investing in bonds can be a great way to diversify your portfolio and earn a steady return on your investment. One of the key benefits of investing in bonds is that they are generally considered to be a low-risk investment.
Eurobonds, in particular, offer a range of benefits to investors. These bonds are denominated in a foreign currency and issued in a country outside of the currency's home country.
Eurobonds are highly liquid, meaning they can be easily bought and sold. This is because they are often denominated in a widely traded currency, such as the US dollar or euro.
Investors can also benefit from the flexibility of eurobonds, which can be issued in a variety of currencies and with different maturity periods. This allows investors to choose the investment that best suits their needs.
Eurobonds are also relatively cheap, with small face values that make them an affordable investment option. This is because the par value of a eurobond is typically small, making it easier for investors to get started.
Here are some of the key benefits of investing in eurobonds:
- Exposure to foreign investments while staying in your own country
- Low cost, making it an affordable investment option
- High liquidity, making it easy to buy and sell
- Diversification of your portfolio, spreading out the risks
Risks of
Risks of international bonds and eurobonds are worth considering. Currency risk is a major concern, as unfavourable exchange rates can affect the value of your investment.
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Investors can hedge against currency risk through currency futures contracts or options, but these also carry their own risks that require research. Trading costs for international bonds are higher and require a broker.
You'll be exposed to sovereign risks, which include political, economic, and other risks faced by the country. This means you'll be taking on the risks of each state you invest in.
Currency fluctuations can affect eurobonds, despite the lack of currency risk being eliminated.
How it Works
Eurobonds can be issued by a wide range of participants, including banks, corporations, international organizations, and governments.
The issuer contacts a lead manager bank to issue its bonds, which may invite other banks to join in forming a managing group to negotiate bond terms and oversee bond issuance.
The managing group sells the bonds to an underwriter, who buys the bonds at a low price and takes the risk that they won't be sold on the market for a higher price.
In the primary market, the underwriter sells the bonds to a selling group, which arranges them with investors.
The bonds are then traded in the secondary market, where they can be exchanged over-the-counter in major markets like London, Frankfurt, Zurich, and Amsterdam.
How a Bond is Issued
A Eurobond is issued when a borrower, such as a bank, corporation, or government, contacts a bank to raise funds by selling bonds. This bank is known as the lead manager and may invite other banks to join it in forming a managing group.
The managing group will negotiate bond terms and oversee bond issuance, selling the bonds to an underwriter at a low price. The underwriter takes the risk that the bonds won't be sold on the market for a higher price.
The primary market for Eurobonds is made up of syndicated businesses and their investor clients, while the secondary market is where bonds are resold to general investors.
Typically, financial institutions like investment banks issue bonds on behalf of the borrower, guaranteeing to sell the entire bond issue in the primary market during the initial debt offering process.
The primary reason for issuing Eurobonds is a need for foreign currency capital, and the bonds usually offer a fixed interest rate to investors.
Electronic Form
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In the electronic form, virtually all eurobonds now trade in dematerialized electronic book-entry form.
This means that physical bonds are no longer necessary, and instead, they're held and traded within one of the clearing systems.
Euroclear and Clearstream are the most common clearing systems used for eurobonds.
Coupons are paid electronically via these clearing systems to the holder of the eurobond, or their nominee account.
This process makes it easy and efficient to manage eurobonds, eliminating the need for physical storage and handling.
Sources
- https://www.quanloop.com/en/insights/eurobonds-or-external-bonds-what-are-the-benefits-of-investing-in-eurobonds/
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/eurobond.asp
- https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/fixed-income/eurobond/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurobond_(external_bond)
- https://thismatter.com/money/bonds/types/eurobonds.htm
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