What Is Coupon Bond?

A coupon bond, also known as a bearer bond or bond coupon, is a debt contract that includes coupons that represent half-yearly interest payments. The issuer keeps no records of the purchasers of coupon bonds, and the purchaser's name is not inscribed on any form of certificate. Bondholders receive these coupons between the time the bond is issued and the time it matures.

Here are more details on the concept of coupon bond. 
 

What Is Coupon Bond?

Coupon bonds are typically a form of bond that is used to make fixed interest rate payments. These fixed interest rate payments are also known as coupons that need to be paid off at a frequency that is predetermined by the participating parties. 

Basically, the person who is holding the coupon bond will receive a fixed payment. This payment will act as a stipulated fixed interest rate that is the sum of the coupon rate multiplied by the period factor and the bond’s nominal value. 

The payment needs will start from its issuance date and end at the time of maturity. Experts suggest that bonds with better coupon rates allow investors to make better yields on their investments in the financial market. 

Let us help you understand the concept of coupon bond with an example-

For example- In case you have been issued a bond that has a face value of $2,000 with its annual coupon rate being 10%. This states that every year, you are bound to receive an amount equivalent to 10% of the bond price. In this case, you will receive $200 annually until the date of maturity. On the date of maturity, you will receive the entire bond price along with the coupon value, here, $2,200. 
 

Understanding Coupons

Once you’ve understood coupon bond meaning, it is time to understand coupons more closely. 

A coupon payment or a coupon rate is the annual interest rate that pays off the bond. It is denoted as a face value percentage and paid until maturity from the date of issuance. Let us take an example- 

A $2,000 bond includes an 8% coupon which pays nearly $160 annually. This means that when these interests occur on a semi-annual note, the investor can obtain $80 two times in a year. 

Remember that bonds are allowed to be traded with other financial investors before their date of maturity arrives. This means the market value is entitled to fluctuation while the current yield typically diverges from the nominal yield. 

In a synopsis, anyone who wants to learn about the coupon rate must add up the total of each coupon put together. These are the coupons that are paid on an annual basis, dividing the entire amount by the face value pertaining to the bond. 
 

How Does A Coupon Bond Work?

When the bond is issued, this is when the coupon rate pertaining to the face value of the bond is specified. So, the person who is issuing the bond accepts the idea of making semi-annual or annual payments of interest equivalent to the investor’s coupon rate. All of these payments continue to occur until the time of maturity. 

Let’s take an example to help you understand the coupon bond definition even better-

Amazon started the latest three-year bond that includes a $200 face value. The annual coupon rate is 6% of the face value of the bond in the discussion. As such, Amazon is likely to pay off $12 as a yearly interest to its set investors. 

This is for the bonds that were bought by them. This means that after three years, when the maturity of the bond occurs, Amazon will be on the verge of its last payment regarding the same. As a result, Amazon has to pay off the bond’s face value to the investor as well. 
 

Coupon Bond Pricing

We have already discussed above how it is important for anyone to learn about its pricing thoroughly before they start to invest in these bonds. This will help them to leverage it for their profit purposes at maximum. Knowing the pricing factors can also assist in receiving a higher rate of return when in need. 

The formula for determining its pricing is as follows- 

Price of Coupon Bond=   C + C + … + C + Face Value 
                                        _____ _____ _____ _______
    
                                          1+ i (1+i)2 (1+i)n (1+i)n 
Here- 

●    C denotes the coupon rate 
●    I denotes interest rate
●    N denotes the number of payments
 

Who Should Invest In This Type Of Bonds?

Generally, bearer bonds are a good source for investors to make payments at the time of maturity. At the maturity of the bond, the interest is paid off to them. But the time that it takes to arrive at the date of maturity relies on both short and long-term investments. 

Generally, the short-term bearers are referred to as bills. But if the coupon bond is for a longer period of time, preferably over a decade, the investor can receive interest payments after nearly two decades. 

So, if you are hoping to receive a steady source of income, we recommend coupon bonds are not for you. But if you are a family with systematic investment plans, you could opt for it in need. Coupon bonds are a great investment for those who are looking for an after-retirement vacation or a getaway. 

You can also opt for bearer bonds in case you are looking to transfer your wealth to an heir. A coupon bond can be a fairly incredible choice when looking to escalate your income over a span of time. 
 

Conclusion

This guide is a rescue for all those looking to learn about coupon bonds in detail. It talks about how it works, who can invest in these bonds, and how to calculate its price too. So, the next time you wish to invest in these bonds, you need not think twice about it. But if you think you need a more vivid description of certain aspects of this bond, seeking assistance from a financial advisor can be a wise call. 

Today, even the largest majority of investors consider coupon bonds to make healthy investments. You can do it too.