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Bonds vs. Debentures: Know the Difference

Shumaila Saeed
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Bonds are debt securities backed by the issuer's credit or assets, while debentures are unsecured debt instruments relying solely on the issuer's creditworthiness.
Bonds vs. Debentures

Key Differences

Bonds are often secured by the issuer's assets or collateral, providing a safety net for investors. Debentures, however, are unsecured loans that rely on the creditworthiness and reputation of the issuer, without specific collateral.
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Nov 21, 2023
Generally, bonds carry a lower risk due to their secured nature, often resulting in lower interest rates. Debentures, being unsecured, typically carry a higher risk, which is compensated for with higher interest rates.
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Bonds are issued by both governments and corporations for various financing purposes. Debentures are primarily issued by corporations, and are a common way for companies to raise capital without pledging specific assets.
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Nov 21, 2023
Investor confidence in bonds is often influenced by the tangible backing and the issuer's financial health. In contrast, investor confidence in debentures heavily relies on the issuer's credit rating, as it indicates the issuer's ability to repay the debt.
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In the market, bonds are perceived as a relatively safer investment compared to debentures. Debentures are often used by established companies with strong credit histories to quickly raise capital.
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Comparison Chart

Security

Often secured by assets
Unsecured
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Risk

Lower risk due to security
Higher risk due to lack of collateral
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Nov 21, 2023

Interest Rates

Generally lower
Typically higher
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Issuer Types

Governments and corporations
Primarily corporations
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Investor Confidence

Based on backing and financial health
Based on credit rating
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Bonds and Debentures Definitions

Bonds

Debt securities issued by entities to raise capital.
The government issued bonds to finance new infrastructure projects.
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Nov 17, 2023

Debentures

Have no collateral backing, unlike secured bonds.
The debentures issued carried more risk as they had no asset backing.
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Bonds

Mature after a set period, returning the principal amount.
The 10-year bonds will mature next year, returning the principal to investors.
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Debentures

Can be convertible into company stock.
The convertible debentures offer the option to convert into company shares.
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Bonds

Can be traded on the secondary market.
I traded some of my bonds on the secondary market for a profit.
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Debentures

Unsecured debt instruments relying on creditworthiness.
The company issued debentures to raise funds without collateral.
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Bonds

Often backed by the issuer’s credit or assets.
Corporate bonds backed by the company's assets attracted many investors.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023

Debentures

Commonly used by corporations for financing.
The tech firm issued debentures to finance its expansion plans.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 17, 2023

Bonds

Have a fixed interest rate for the loan duration.
My investment portfolio includes municipal bonds with a fixed interest rate.
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Nov 17, 2023

Debentures

Typically offer higher interest rates.
Investors were attracted to the high-interest rates of the corporate debentures.
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Nov 17, 2023

Bonds

Plural of bond
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Oct 19, 2023

Debentures

A certificate or voucher acknowledging a debt.
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Bonds

Imprisonment, captivity
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Debentures

An unsecured bond issued by a civil or governmental corporation or agency and backed only by the credit standing of the issuer.
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Bonds

The condition of goods in a bonded warehouse until duty is paid
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Debentures

A customhouse certificate providing for the payment of a drawback.
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Debentures

Plural of debenture
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Repeatedly Asked Queries

Are debentures unsecured?

Yes, debentures are unsecured and rely on the issuer's creditworthiness.
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Nov 21, 2023

Why do debentures offer higher interest rates?

Debentures offer higher rates to compensate for their higher risk.
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What are debentures?

Debentures are unsecured debt instruments issued primarily by corporations.
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Are debentures considered riskier?

Yes, debentures are riskier due to the lack of specific collateral.
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Are bonds secured?

Yes, bonds are often secured by the issuer’s assets or credit.
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Shumaila Saeed
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What are bonds?

Bonds are debt securities issued to raise capital, often secured by assets.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023

Do bonds have lower interest rates?

Generally, bonds have lower interest rates due to their secured nature.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023

Are debentures primarily issued by corporations?

Yes, corporations primarily issue debentures for financing.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023

What is the risk level of bonds?

Bonds typically have a lower risk due to their backing.
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Nov 21, 2023

What underpins confidence in debentures?

Confidence in debentures is primarily based on the issuer's creditworthiness.
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What influences investor confidence in bonds?

Investor confidence in bonds is influenced by the issuer's assets and financial health.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 21, 2023

Can debentures be converted into stock?

Some debentures can be convertible into company stock.
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Are there different types of bonds?

Yes, there are various types, including government, municipal, and corporate bonds.
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Nov 21, 2023

Can governments issue bonds?

Yes, governments issue bonds to finance various projects.
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Do bonds return the principal amount?

Yes, bonds return the principal amount upon maturity.
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What is a bond’s maturity period?

Bonds have a set maturity period, which can range from short to long-term.
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Can bonds be traded?

Yes, bonds can be traded on the secondary market.
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How does the market perceive bonds?

Bonds are perceived as safer investments in the market.
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Nov 21, 2023

How are debentures perceived by investors?

Investors view debentures as riskier, often relying on the issuer's credit rating.
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How do corporations use debentures?

Corporations use debentures to raise capital without pledging assets.
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About Author
Shumaila Saeed
Written by
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

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