Puttable Bonds Explained: A Flexible Tool for Smarter Investing

When you invest in bonds, flexibility is often limited. Once invested, you usually have to hold the bond until maturity or rely on market conditions to exit, which can be challenging when interest rates or personal needs change.

Puttable bonds address this limitation by offering predefined exit options. They allow investors to redeem bonds on specific dates before maturity, adding flexibility to fixed-income investing while helping manage interest rate and liquidity concerns.

In this article, we explore the meaning of puttable bonds and how they work as a flexible tool for smarter fixed-income investing. We also focus on the benefits and risks of puttable bonds and discuss their suitability. 

What Are Puttable Bonds?

Puttable bonds are a type of fixed-income security that give investors the option to sell the bond back to its issuer before maturity at pre-set prices. This added flexibility helps reduce interest rate risk and provides an exit option if market conditions become unfavourable.

The meaning of puttable bonds becomes clearer when you consider the following key characteristics:

• Put option: Allows you to sell the bond back before maturity at a predetermined price
• Coupon payments: Regular interest payouts (usually at a lower rate than non-puttable bonds)
• Maturity date: The bond matures on a fixed future date if the put is not exercised
• Put dates: Specific dates or intervals when the put option can be exercised
• Put price: Redemption value, often set at or close to face value
• Lower yield: Flexibility in bonds with put option is offered in exchange for relatively lower returns

How Do Puttable Bonds Work: Understanding This Flexible Investment Option

Puttable bonds work like regular bonds with an embedded “put option” that favours the investor. You receive fixed interest payments and have the option to redeem the bond before maturity.

Here’s how the process typically works:

• Issuance: You buy a puttable bond with a fixed coupon rate and maturity date.
• Interest payments: The issuer pays interest at regular intervals.
• Put dates: On predefined dates or intervals, you may choose to redeem puttable bonds early at the pre-set price.
• Decision point: If interest rates rise or the creditworthiness of the issuer declines, you can exercise the put option. Otherwise, you may continue holding the bond till maturity.

Benefits of Puttable Bonds

The key benefits of puttable bonds are listed below:

• Investors Flexibility

One of the key benefits of puttable bonds is flexibility. These flexible investment options allow you to exit early. This flexibility allows you to reallocate funds towards better investment opportunities if market conditions change.

• Protection Against Interest Rate Fluctuations

The put option in puttable bonds helps reduce the interest rate risk associated with fixed-income investments. If market interest rates rise, you can redeem the bond and reinvest at higher rates instead of holding a lower-yielding fixed-income instrument.

• Improved Liquidity and Cash Access

Puttable bonds offer planned liquidity through defined put dates. Instead of waiting until maturity, you can access your capital earlier, making these bonds a flexible investment option for investors who may need funds at short notice.

Risks and Limitations Associated With Puttable Bonds

While puttable bonds offer flexibility, it is important to understand that they do come with certain risks as well:

• Lower Yield Compared to Standard Bonds

Puttable bonds generally offer lower interest rates than non-puttable bonds. That’s because issuers reduce coupon rates to compensate for the put option.

• Limited Redemption Windows

Typically, investors can redeem bonds with put options early only on specific put dates. If you miss these windows, you must continue holding the bond until the next eligible date or maturity. This compromises the flexibility of this investment option.

• Limited Availability and Market Depth

Puttable bonds are less common in the Indian bond market. Limited supply and lower secondary market activity can make it harder to find suitable puttable bonds or exit through market sales.

• Higher Purchase Price

Puttable bonds often trade at a higher price than comparable standard bonds. This premium reflects the value of the embedded put option, meaning you pay extra upfront in exchange for added flexibility and downside protection.

Who Can Consider Puttable Bonds?

Investing in puttable bonds may suit the following:

• Investors seeking flexibility in fixed-income investments, along with predictable income
• Those cautious about rising interest rates
• Investors who value planned exit options
• Portfolios focused on stability over higher yields
• Those looking to diversify their portfolio with fixed-income assets while hedging against interest rate risks and credit risks

Puttable Bonds: A Smart Option For Strategic Flexibility

Puttable bonds offer a unique advantage in fixed-income investing by allowing you to smartly adapt to market shifts. You can choose to exit puttable bonds on predetermined dates: 

• If interest rates rise
• Credit rating of the issuer declines
• Or, you simply need liquidity 

While returns from puttable bonds may be lower, the flexibility to redeem your investment in unfavourable conditions makes them a practical choice for fixed-income portfolios.

If you are exploring fixed-income instruments, you can learn more about them on the GoldenPi platform. You can also start building your portfolio in just a few easy steps!

FAQs on Puttable Bonds

What is the difference between puttable bonds and callable bonds?

The main difference between puttable bonds and callable bonds lies in who controls early redemption. Puttable bonds allow investors to redeem bonds early, protecting against rising interest rates. 

Callable bonds, on the other hand, give issuers the right to redeem bonds early, usually when interest rates fall, benefiting the issuer.

What is meant by a put option bond?

A put option bond is simply a bond that grants the bondholder the right to sell the bond back to the issuer at a pre-set price before maturity. Typically, this put option can only be used at predetermined intervals or on specific put dates. 

How does the redemption feature in puttable bonds benefit investors?

The early redemption feature (put option) allows investors to exit puttable bonds before maturity. Investors can consider redeeming their investment if interest rates rise or issuer risk increases. 

This may reduce the interest rate downside, since bondholders can reinvesting funds at potentially higher rates without waiting for maturity.

Can puttable bonds be sold in the secondary market?

Yes, puttable bonds can be bought and sold in the secondary market like regular bonds. Their market price depends on interest rates and time to the put date, though the put option provides an additional exit route.

Are puttable bonds safe?

Puttable bonds offer better flexibility and risk control than standard bonds, but safety still depends on the issuer’s credit quality. Government-backed or highly rated issuers generally carry lower risk compared to weaker corporate issuers.

Disclaimer: 

This information is for general information purposes only. GoldenPi makes no guarantee on the accuracy of the data provided here; the information displayed is subject to change and is provided on an as-is basis. Nothing contained herein is intended to or shall be deemed to be investment advice, implied or otherwise. Investments in debt securities/ municipal debt securities/ securitised debt instruments are subject to risks including delay and/ or default in payment. Read all the offer related documents carefully.

Bonds or non-convertible debentures (NCDs) are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India and other government authorities. GoldenPi Securities Private Limited is a registered debt broker and acts as a distributor and not as a manufacturer of the product.