What are the risks of bonds?

📘 Briefly Explained

For private investors, bonds primarily carry **price risk**: when market interest rates rise, the prices of existing bonds fall, which can lead to losses if sold prematurely. There is also **credit risk**, meaning the risk that the issuer becomes insolvent and fails to make interest or principal payments. For bonds with long maturities, **inflation risk** is particularly high, as fixed interest payments can be eroded in real terms by rising prices. **Currency risk** is also relevant: investing in foreign currency bonds means exchange rate fluctuations can reduce returns. Finally, investors should consider **liquidity risk**, as some bonds can only be sold with difficulty or at unfavorable terms.

🔍 Why This Matters

Bonds are subject to price risk because rising market interest rates lead to falling bond prices, causing losses if sold early. There is also issuer risk, i.e., the danger that the debtor becomes insolvent and interest or principal payments default. This is relevant for private investors because bonds are often considered a safe alternative to stocks, but depending on the issuer’s creditworthiness, they can carry significant loss risks. Inflation also poses a risk, as fixed interest payments can reduce real purchasing power when prices rise.

📈 Key Points

Bonds carry **credit risk** (default risk), meaning the issuer may fail to make interest payments or repay the principal. **Interest rate risk** leads to price losses when market interest rates rise, especially for long-term bonds. **Inflation risk** reduces real returns if inflation exceeds the nominal interest rate. For foreign currency bonds, there is **currency risk** if the foreign currency depreciates against the home currency. Additionally, **liquidity risk** can occur if a bond cannot be sold quickly at a fair price. Early repayment (call risk) can also alter the expected maturity and return.

🧠 What Investors Should Watch For

Bonds are subject to **credit risk** (default risk): if the issuer defaults, there is a risk of total capital loss. **Interest rate risk** is the greatest practical risk: when market interest rates rise, the prices of existing bonds fall, leading to losses if sold early. For long maturities (e.g., 10+ years), this price decline is particularly severe. Additionally, there is **inflation risk**: fixed interest income loses real purchasing power when inflation rises. For private investors, this means: bonds are not a risk-free „safe product“ but an instrument with clear price and default risks, only sensible within an overall strategy and with staggered maturities.

📝 결론

Bonds carry the risk of the issuer defaulting, where interest or principal payments may be partially or fully missed. Rising market interest rates cause price losses for existing bonds, as their fixed interest becomes less attractive. If sold before maturity, a capital loss can occur. Additionally, high inflation reduces real returns if the nominal interest rate does not keep pace with the inflation rate. Foreign currency bonds also carry currency risk, which can reduce the repayment amount due to exchange rate fluctuations.