Corporate bonds update

Bond prices have been battered in 2022 because of the rapid rise of interest rates. The bonds most affected are those with long tenor (further maturity) dates.

The main advantage of corporate bonds over unit trust bonds is that most corporate bonds have a maturity date or a call redemption date. It provides assurance for the investor that even if the price of bond drops, it will eventually return to par at the end of its tenor. Long term bond investors caught by the rise of interest rates should just ride it out, as the market eventually will return to mean, or the bonds gets redeemed, whichever comes earlier.

Here are some SGD corporate bond prices that shows the current color of the market. All these bonds can be supercharged (marginable). Note that prices are with commission already included.

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OTC Bond Opportunities (July)

Since Feb 2018, bonds and reits have fallen and have not recovered to Feb highs. With interest rates rising, they have fallen out of investor’s favour. Yet recently, many SREITS are now making 20 day highs, outperforming most SGX stocks. Like wise bonds have recovered slightly after long tenor bonds were beaten down.

I sold ASTREA IV S$242M4.35%B280614 (RMRB.SI) retail bond at 1.05 last friday. Nothing wrong with this bond, in fact, I like this bond (seeĀ http://wealthlions.com/2018/06/astrea-iv-4-35-retail-bonds/). 5% is more than one year’s coupon. The money can be channeled elsewhere.

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