Various terms are used in the financial market, and understanding them is crucial to making informed decisions. When it comes to the bond market, the same rule applies. One term that you can often hear in this market is the consideration amount. It is significant for both investors and bond issuers.
Defining Consideration Amount
Whenever one makes an investment or purchases an asset, a particular amount must be paid. For investment, the term ‘principal’ is used to define the amount that one invests. Likewise, investors must pay a certain amount of capital to earn the ownership of a bond. From an investment standpoint, this amount is called the principal investment amount. In the bond market, it is also referred to as a consideration amount, as in, an amount the investor must consider to spend for acquiring the bond.
The investment amount generates interest at regular intervals for the maturity period, and once the bond matures, the principal amount is returned to the investor.
For secondary market trades, the consideration amount includes the bond’s face value, accrued interest, and associated costs (if any).
How is the Consideration Amount Decided?
A bond is issued at a face value decided by the bond issuing entity, be it a government or a company. There are two sides to understanding here.
- A government or a company issues bonds for various reasons, including but not limited to fund operations and development projects. So, the bond is issued based on the capital requirement of the issuer.
- The bond’s face value depends on various market factors and conditions.
Factors Influencing the Consideration Amount
Investors can buy a bond directly from the bond issuer in the primary market or from the first bondholder in the secondary market. The following factors can influence the consideration amount in the markets.
Market Interest Rates
If the interest rates in the market increase and surpass the interest rate offered by a bond, the price of the bond will decrease as it will generate lower returns than the market average. On the other hand, if the market rates drop, the bond will generate higher rates than the average market rates, and its value will increase.
Credit Ratings
The higher the credit rating, the greater the safety. Naturally, bonds with top-most credit ratings will be prioritised by investors, especially for anyone looking for low-risk investors. Since the demand for bonds with high credit ratings is high, their prices might be on the higher end as well.
Importance of Consideration Amount
The following factors make the consideration amount significant:
- It helps investors evaluate their investment budget and move accordingly.
- It helps estimate the probable returns on investment.
Wrapping Up!
The concept of consideration amount gives investors an idea of their total investment cost and scope of returns. It can be the fundamental base for financial planning and investment decisions for both primary and secondary market investors.
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FAQs About What is the Consideration Amount?
1. How does interest accumulated affect the consideration amount?
If the secondary market trade occurs between two coupon payment dates, the buyer must also pay the interest accumulated till the date of the transaction to the previous bondholder. So, the consideration amount includes the bond price as well as the accrued interest.
2. Are the settlement amount and consideration amount the same?
Consideration amount and settlement amount communicate the same meaning for secondary market transactions. It is the amount to be paid to the existing bondholder by the buyer.
3. Can falling market rates influence the consideration amount?
If the market rates fall below the interest rate offered by the bond, it will generate higher interest than new bonds issued at the market rate and become more lucrative.
