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Understanding bonds

Bonds is one of the three main asset classes besides stock (equity) and cash equivalents. Bond is considered fixed income security where bond issuer is in debt to the bond holder and is obliged to pay him an interest. It can be understood as a form of a loan where holder of the bond is creditor, issuer of the bond is borrower and coupon is interest that he pays. Issuers of the bonds are companies, municipalities, states and governments which used funds obtained through bonds to finance long term investments and current expenditures. Bondholders are debt holders that have priority over stockholders but are ranked behind secured creditors in case of insolvency. Bonds have maturity date when the principal is due to be paid and interest rate that can be fixed or variable. Principal is face value of the bond, actual amount that is on the bond which will be paid to the holder at the maturity date. Fixed rates remain the same through the set period while variable rates fluctuate o...

What you need to know about preferred stock?

Preferred stock, also know as preferred or preference shares is one of the main types of stock besides common shares. It is considered that preferred stock is a hybrid security that combines properties of debt (fixed dividends) and equity (potential to raise in price). They are distinct from common shares because they don't have voting rights but have higher claim on company's assets and earnings. Terms of preferred stock are described in issuing document; they can be issued under any set of terms that is compliant to laws and regulations. Preference in dividends is what distinguish preferred  from common stock. Board of directors makes decision whether or not company will pay dividends to its shareholders. Dividends are specified as percentage of the par value or as a fixed amount. Common shareholders can receive dividends only if preferred shareholders are already paid in full if board decides to pay them dividends in the first place. This makes them similar to bonds...

What is common stock?

A stock is a type of security that signifies peace of ownership in a corporation an represents a claim on a part of the corporation's assets and earnings. There two main types of shares: common shares and preferred shares. There are clear distinction between two types of shares, primarily based on voting rights and dividend payments. Common shares are also know as ordinary shares, voting shares or equity shares. First ever common stock was established in 1602 by Dutch East India Company and introduced on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange.  During initial public offering company offers shares for sale and in that way sells part of the company in order to raise capital. Underwriter helps company to determine type and pricing of offered securities. After IPO company's shares become publicly traded and company can issue new stock. Percentage of shareholders' ownership is determined by the number of shares in his possession, which are some percentage of total number of out...

Chapter 11

Bankruptcy happens when business is unable to pay its debts and creditors. Business can file with federal bankruptcy court  for protection, usually under chapter 7 or chapter 11. In the United States bankruptcy is governed by federal law commonly referred to as the "Bankruptcy Code". Bankruptcy cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and federal law govern procedure in bankruptcy cases but state laws are often applied to determine how bankruptcy affect property rights and debtors. Two major types of bankruptcy are Chapter 7 and Chapter 11. Chapter 7 happens when company ceases all of its operation and goes completely out of business. A trustee is appointed to sell (liquidate) company's assets in order to pay off its debt. Debts are payed off according  to absolute priority. It is rule that secured claims are paid before junior claims are paid. In that order secured creditors are paid first, then bondholders and in the end shareholders. In other words, invest...