Bonds and Fixed Income

Address your income needs

Whether you want to mitigate market volatility, preserve your investment, generate income from your portfolio, or all three, we offer a wide range of fixed-income investments that can address your needs.

At PSS, you can count on advice and guidance from fixed income specialists as well as low, straightforward pricing.

Enjoy High Spreads and Low commissions

Digital dealer auctions that take place between the leading bond-liquidity providing companies generate higher spreads for engaging online.

PSS offers

Fixed Income Specialists
Whether you prefer to invest on your own or would like assistance, PSS offers guidance to help you meet your goals. Choose one-on-one help or attend a local workshop to find the right fixed income investments and strategies for your portfolio.
Straightforward, easy-to-understand pricing
At PSS, you’ll know the up-front transaction costs of buying and selling bonds. And unlike many brokers, we itemize bond costs, so you know exactly what you’re paying—trade confirmations clearly identify transaction fees and commissions.

*PSS reserves the right to act as principal on any fixed income transaction, public offering or securities transaction. When PSS acts as principal, the bond price includes our transaction fee (outlined above) and may also include a markup that reflects the bid-ask spread and is not subject to a minimum or maximum. When trading as principal, PSS may also be holding the security in its own account prior to selling it to you and, therefore, may make (or lose) money depending on whether the price of the security has risen or fallen while PSS has held it. When PSS acts as agent, a commission will be charged on the transaction.

Advantages of fixed-income investing

Whether your goal is to diversify your investments, save for the future, receive dependable income, or minimize taxes, fixed income investments may have a place in your portfolio.
Preserve
wealth
While fixed-income prices may fluctuate, you can rely on receiving the full-face amount when your investment matures, subject to credit risk.
Diversify your
portfolio
Diversifying your investments across asset classes may result in less risk exposure for your overall portfolio.
Generate
income
Fixed-income investments may provide a steady stream of monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual income to help supplement your income or help fund your retirement.
Manage interest
rate risk
Creating a ladder through staggered maturities can potentially help you manage interest rate risk in both rising and falling environments and experience less exposure to interest rate volatility.

Basics of Bond Market

At PSS, you can count on advice and guidance from fixed income specialists as well as low, straightforward pricing.

What is the definition of a bond?

Bonds are fixed-income securities that are issued by corporations and governments to raise capital. The bond issuer borrows capital from the bondholder and pays fixed amounts to bondholders with a fixed (or variable) interest rate for a specified period.

What are key terms in bond trading?

Yield

The annual rate of return of a bond (assuming all payments are not delayed).

Face Value

The initial amount of money invested in the bond.

Maturity date

The date when the principal must be paid to the bondholder as the bond expires.

Coupon Rate

The interest that the bond issuer pays to the bondholder.

What are Par, Premium, and Discount Bonds?

Par: Coupon rate = Yield

Premium: Coupon rate > Yield
Investors will pay a premium (higher price) for a bond that offers a higher coupon rate than the average market.

Discount: Coupon rate < Yield
Investors will pay a discount (lower price) for a bond that offers a lower coupon rate than the average market.

Examples of Bond Trading
Company A issues five-year bonds on January 1, 2018. These bonds are Kr100 each and pay 5%. The yield (YTM) is 6%.

  • What is the yield?
    The yield to maturity (YTM) is 6%.
  • How much is the face value?
    The principal is Kr100.
  • What is the maturity date?
    January 1, 2023 (the maturity date is in five years from the issue date).
  • What is the coupon rate?
    The coupon rate is 5%.

Company B issues two-year bond on March 1, 2018. These bonds are Kr500 each and pay 6%, with the first payment made six months after the issue date. The YTM is 6%.

  • Which dates will the bondholder receive coupon payment?
    September 1, 2018
    March 1, 2019
    September 1, 2019
    March 1, 2020
  • How much is the payment on each date?
    September 1, 2018: Kr500 * (6%/2) = Kr15
    March 1, 2019: Kr500 * (6%/2) = Kr15
    September 1, 2019: Kr500 * (6%/2) = Kr15
    March 1, 2020: Kr500 * (6%/2) + Kr500 = Kr515

*Note: 6%/2 because the coupon rate is annual but is paid semi-annually (divide by two because it is paid twice per year).
*Note: Last payment includes the principal amount.

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    Be sure to make appointment before you visit our branch for online trading service as not all branches have a financial service specialist.