How To Buy Apple Bonds
Learning how to buy bonds is an essential part of your education as an investor. A well-diversified portfolio should always strike a balance between stocks and bonds, helping you ride out volatility while still capturing growth along the way.
how to buy apple bonds
Buying individual bonds offers unique challenges. In addition to a wide range of moving parts inherent in each bond, the primary market can be difficult to access for all but the wealthiest investors. Meanwhile, the secondary market has less transparent pricing than primary issues.
The easiest way to buy bonds is to invest in bond mutual funds or bond exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Funds own large, diversified fixed-income portfolios comprising hundreds or even thousands of bonds.
Buying individual bonds via your brokerage account is more complicated. Typically online brokers offer access to bond secondary markets, which means that availability and prices wholly depend on existing holders looking to sell.
Yes, Apple offers bonds. The company has a history of issuing a variety of bonds to help fund various aspects of its business."}},"@type": "Question","name": "When should you buy stocks vs. bonds?","acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer","text": "Generally speaking, stocks are better suited for those who are comfortable with risk. Bonds tend to be very safe and typically offer relatively low returns compared to the stock market."]}]}] .cls-1fill:#999.cls-6fill:#6d6e71 Skip to contentThe BalanceSearchSearchPlease fill out this field.SearchSearchPlease fill out this field.BudgetingBudgeting Budgeting Calculator Financial Planning Managing Your Debt Best Budgeting Apps View All InvestingInvesting Find an Advisor Stocks Retirement Planning Cryptocurrency Best Online Stock Brokers Best Investment Apps View All MortgagesMortgages Homeowner Guide First-Time Homebuyers Home Financing Managing Your Loan Mortgage Refinancing Using Your Home Equity Today's Mortgage Rates View All EconomicsEconomics US Economy Economic Terms Unemployment Fiscal Policy Monetary Policy View All BankingBanking Banking Basics Compound Interest Calculator Best Savings Account Interest Rates Best CD Rates Best Banks for Checking Accounts Best Personal Loans Best Auto Loan Rates View All Small BusinessSmall Business Entrepreneurship Business Banking Business Financing Business Taxes Business Tools Becoming an Owner Operations & Success View All Career PlanningCareer Planning Finding a Job Getting a Raise Work Benefits Top Jobs Cover Letters Resumes View All MoreMore Credit Cards Insurance Taxes Credit Reports & Scores Loans Personal Stories About UsAbout Us The Balance Financial Review Board Diversity & Inclusion Pledge View All Follow Us
Budgeting Budgeting Calculator Financial Planning Managing Your Debt Best Budgeting Apps Investing Find an Advisor Stocks Retirement Planning Cryptocurrency Best Online Stock Brokers Best Investment Apps Mortgages Homeowner Guide First-Time Homebuyers Home Financing Managing Your Loan Mortgage Refinancing Using Your Home Equity Today's Mortgage Rates Economics US Economy Economic Terms Unemployment Fiscal Policy Monetary Policy Banking Banking Basics Compound Interest Calculator Best Savings Account Interest Rates Best CD Rates Best Banks for Checking Accounts Best Personal Loans Best Auto Loan Rates Small Business Entrepreneurship Business Banking Business Financing Business Taxes Business Tools Becoming an Owner Operations & Success Career Planning Finding a Job Getting a Raise Work Benefits Top Jobs Cover Letters Resumes More Credit Cards Insurance Taxes Credit Reports & Scores Loans Financial Terms Dictionary About Us The Balance Financial Review Board Diversity & Inclusion Pledge InvestingAssets & MarketsBondsApple Stock vs. Apple Bonds: Which Is the Better Buy?ByThomas KennyUpdated on October 21, 2022Reviewed byJeFreda R. Brown Reviewed byJeFreda R. Brown Facebook Instagram Twitter JeFreda R. Brown is a financial consultant, Certified Financial Education Instructor, and researcher who has assisted thousands of clients over a more than two-decade career. She is the CEO of Xaris Financial Enterprises and a course facilitator for Cornell University.learn about our financial review boardIn This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleAAPL Stock vs. Apple Bonds: Which Is Better?The Bottom LineFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Photo: Simon Ritzmann / Getty Images
The range of corporate bonds issued each year allows investors to tailor a bond portfolio around their specific needs. The various types of corporate bonds offer different risk levels, as well as varying yields and payment schedules.
Fixed-rate couponsThe most common form of corporate bond is one that has a stated coupon that remains fixed throughout the bond's life. It represents the annual interest rate, usually paid in two installments every six months, although some bonds pay annually, quarterly, or monthly. The payment amount is calculated as a percentage of the par value, regardless of the purchase price or current market value. With corporate bonds, one bond represents $1,000 par value, so a 5% fixed-rate coupon will pay $50 per bond annually ($1,000 5%). The payment cycle is not necessarily aligned to the calendar year; it begins on the "Dated Date," which is either on or soon after the bond's issue date, and ends on the bond's maturity date, when the final coupon and return of principal payment are paid.
Investment grade vs. non-investment grade (high yield)Corporate bonds are generally rated by one or more of the three primary ratings agencies: Standard & Poor's, Moody's, and Fitch. These firms base their ratings on the bond issuer's financial health and likely ability to make interest payments and return the bondholders' principal. Rated bonds fall into one of two categories: investment grade or non-investment grade (also known as high yield). Investment grade bonds are considered to be lower risk and, therefore, generally pay lower interest rates than non-investment grade bonds, though some are more highly rated than others within the category. Non-investment grade bonds are considered to be higher risk or speculative investments. The higher yield reflects an increased risk of default. A company's financial health can change, and when it does, its bonds' ratings may change as well. So an investment grade bond could become non-investment grade over time and vice versa.
Zero-couponZero-coupon corporate bonds are issued at a discount from face value (par), with the full value, including imputed interest, paid at maturity. Interest is taxable, even though no actual payments are made. Prices of zero-coupon bonds tend to be more volatile than bonds that make regular interest payments.
Callable and puttableThe issuer of a callable corporate bond maintains the right to redeem the security on a set date prior to maturity and pay back the bond's owner either par (full) value or a percentage of par value. The call schedule lists the precise call dates of when an issuer may choose to pay back the bonds and the price at which they will do so. The callable price is generally expressed as a percent of par value, but other all-price quotation methods exist.
Variable- and adjustable-rateVariable- and adjustable-rate corporate bonds are similar to floating-rate bonds, except that coupons are tied to a long-term interest rate benchmark and are typically only reset annually.
Convertible bonds*Convertible bonds can be exchanged for a specified amount of the common stock of the issuing company, although provisions generally restrict when a conversion can take place. While these bonds offer the potential for appreciation of the underlying security, prices may be susceptible to stock market fluctuations.
ChoiceThe range of corporate bonds issued each year allows investors to tailor a bond portfolio around specific needs. Investors should, however, consider that each issuer has its own unique risk profile.
Secondary marketAn active secondary market exists for many corporate bonds, which creates liquidity for investors. Investors need to remember that some issues can be thinly traded, which may impact pricing and may pose a challenge when selling.
New issuesCustomers are able to access new issue corporate bonds through the CorporateNotes ProgramSM. Each week a limited number of new issue corporate bonds are available for purchase at par, in minimum denominations of $1,000, without additional mark-up.
RatingsMost corporate bonds are rated by at least one of the major rating agencies. Fidelity offers both investment grade and non-investment grade bonds, which are classified according to their rating. When considering an investment in corporate bonds, remember that higher potential returns are typically associated with greater risk.
YieldsCorporate bonds are among the highest yielding fixed income securities. In fact, the yield differential over Treasuries may be great enough to outpace inflation over the long term. Because interest is fully taxable, buyers should evaluate their tax situations before investing. 041b061a72