Investing in Fixed Income Securities in Indian Markets

Fixed-income securities play a crucial role in the Indian financial market by offering stable returns to investors while providing funding avenues for corporations and the government. Let's explore the key concepts with relevant Indian examples.

A. Debt Market and Its Need in Financing Structure of Corporates and Government

The debt market is a financial market where debt instruments like bonds, debentures, and treasury bills are traded. It is an essential part of the financial system as it enables corporates and the government to raise funds at lower costs compared to equity financing.

Why is the Debt Market Needed?

  1. For Corporates: Companies need funds for expansion, working capital, and infrastructure development. Borrowing through bonds or debentures is a cost-effective alternative to bank loans.

  2. For Government: The government raises funds to bridge fiscal deficits, finance infrastructure projects, and manage public expenditure.

Example in India

  • Corporate Debt: Reliance Industries issues Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) to raise funds for expansion.

  • Government Debt: The Government of India issues Treasury Bills (T-Bills) and Government Securities (G-Secs) to finance its spending.

B. Bond Market Ecosystem

The bond market ecosystem includes:

  1. Issuers – Government (RBI on behalf of the Government of India) and corporations issue bonds.

  2. Investors – Banks, mutual funds, insurance companies, pension funds, and retail investors participate.

  3. Intermediaries – SEBI, stock exchanges (NSE, BSE), depositories (NSDL, CDSL), and rating agencies (CRISIL, ICRA).

  4. Regulators – Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulates the government securities market, while SEBI oversees corporate bonds.

Example in India

  • Platforms for Bond Trading: NSE’s ‘NDS-OM’ for government securities and BSE BOND for corporate bonds.

C. Risks Associated with Fixed Income Securities

Fixed-income investments are not risk-free. Key risks include:

  1. Credit Risk: The risk that the issuer will default on interest or principal payments.

    • Example: IL&FS default in 2018 affected mutual funds that invested in its debt.

  2. Interest Rate Risk: When interest rates rise, bond prices fall.

    • Example: RBI hikes repo rates → G-Sec prices drop.

  3. Inflation Risk: High inflation erodes the purchasing power of fixed-income returns.

  4. Liquidity Risk: Difficulty in selling bonds in the secondary market.

    • Example: Lower-rated corporate bonds may have fewer buyers.

  5. Reinvestment Risk: Risk of reinvesting at lower rates when interest rates decline.

D. Pricing of Bond

The price of a bond is determined by discounting its future cash flows (coupon payments + principal) to the present using the prevailing market interest rate.

Formula:

P=∑C(1+r)t+F(1+r)TP = \sum \frac{C}{(1+r)^t} + \frac{F}{(1+r)^T}P=∑(1+r)tC​+(1+r)TF​

Where:

  • PPP = Price of the bond

  • CCC = Coupon payment

  • rrr = Discount rate (yield)

  • FFF = Face value

  • TTT = Maturity period

Example

A 10-year bond with a face value of ₹1,000 and a coupon rate of 8% will be priced based on prevailing interest rates. If rates rise, the bond price falls.

E. Traditional Yield Measures

  1. Current Yield (CY) = (Annual Coupon Payment / Current Price) × 100

  2. Yield to Maturity (YTM) = The total return if the bond is held until maturity.

  3. Yield to Call (YTC) = The return if the bond is called before maturity.

Example

  • Bond Price: ₹950

  • Coupon Payment: ₹80

  • CY = (80 / 950) × 100 = 8.42%

  • YTM would consider both coupon and capital gains.

F. Concept of Yield Curve

A yield curve plots the yield of bonds against their maturity.

Types of Yield Curves

  1. Normal Yield Curve: Long-term yields > Short-term yields (indicates economic growth).

  2. Inverted Yield Curve: Long-term yields < Short-term yields (signals recession).

  3. Flat Yield Curve: Yields are similar across all maturities.

Example in India

  • Upward Sloping Curve (2022): RBI hikes short-term rates, long-term yields rise moderately.

G. Concept of Duration

Duration measures a bond's sensitivity to interest rate changes.

Types of Duration

  1. Macaulay Duration: Weighted average time to receive bond cash flows.

  2. Modified Duration: Measures price sensitivity to interest rate changes.

Example

If a bond has a duration of 5 years, a 1% increase in interest rates will decrease its price by approximately 5%.

H. Introduction to Money Market

The money market deals with short-term instruments (maturity < 1 year).

Key Instruments

  1. Treasury Bills (T-Bills) – Issued by the RBI (91-day, 182-day, 364-day).

  2. Commercial Papers (CPs) – Issued by corporates to meet short-term needs.

  3. Certificates of Deposit (CDs) – Issued by banks.

  4. Call Money Market – Short-term borrowing/lending among banks.

Example

  • A 91-day T-Bill issued at ₹98.5 has an implicit yield of 6.1% p.a..

I. Introduction to Government Debt Market

The government debt market consists of instruments issued by the central and state governments.

Types of Government Securities (G-Secs)

  1. Treasury Bills (T-Bills)

  2. Dated Securities (Bonds with maturities of 5-40 years)

  3. State Development Loans (SDLs)

Example

  • The 10-year G-Sec (IN102023) is a benchmark bond used for pricing other debt instruments.

J. Introduction to Corporate Debt Market

The corporate bond market allows businesses to raise long-term capital.

Types of Corporate Bonds

  1. Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs)

  2. Convertible Debentures (CDs)

  3. Perpetual Bonds

  4. Green Bonds (for ESG financing)

Example

  • HDFC issues NCDs at 7.5% interest to finance its lending operations.

K. Small Saving Instruments

Small savings schemes are government-backed, offering safe and attractive returns.

Popular Schemes

  1. Public Provident Fund (PPF) – 15-year scheme, tax-free interest.

  2. National Savings Certificate (NSC) – 5-year lock-in, tax benefits.

  3. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) – For girl child education.

  4. Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) – Doubles investment in a fixed period.

  5. Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS) – High interest for retirees.

Example

  • PPF (7.1%) offers compounded returns and tax benefits under Section 80C.

Conclusion

Fixed-income securities provide stability, predictable returns, and diversification for investors. While government securities offer safety, corporate bonds can provide higher yields with added risk. Small savings schemes cater to retail investors seeking secure investments.