July 2021

Investment Grade Corporate Bonds

By Laxman Sonale July 20, 2021

Hello friends, in today’s article we see Investment Grade Corporate Bonds and their specific standard for bond investment ( criteria 3, 4 & 5) from chapter 9 of the Security Analysis book. so let’s see one by one criterion

Previous Chapter 8

Specific Standard for Bond Investment continued ( criteria 3, 4, and 5):-Investment Grade Corporate Bonds

In this chapter we see the three types of criteria and what told by the New York statute and Benjamin Graham what advice us. so let’s start with this

Criteria 3: Provision of Issues :-Investment Grade Corporate Bonds

In these provision means, what are the Characteristics of Bonds, and what condition that affect the interest rate and what happens effect of maturity on bond character and their price.

so those things come in bond Indenture that come also inn this means provision of issues

and What is the seniority of bond, and what are their mortgage debenture, so this all comes in the provision of issues.

Those are the New York Statute, that we talk earlier,

so they only allow mortgage secure bonds from public utility groups and not allowed debentures.

so debentures are allowed only for railways but not a public utility.

On this point, the author says, ” Unsecured bond issues of any groups without any reason, reject them is not right, whatever the lien on the company, so nothing happen.”

The debenture is also one type of liens like unsecured debt, and junior lien, and above this, the mortgage bond is also present. (Investment Grade Corporate Bonds)

then the author says, ” those are investors they are more attachment with maturity debt. so those are short maturity”

they are safer Because your maturity comes near, and those are long maturity people they are a risky bond investment.

but the author says, ” this type of thinking is very wrong”

Because, of that, so those are short maturity, they have to refinance and the company needs good cash to repay for those are short maturity that comes as an obligation to the company.

or if they have strong financial and good earning power, then they can issue new bonds and raise the fund.

so some companies do issue short maturity because they don’t have a good credit rating to issue long-term maturity bonds. (Investment Grade Corporate Bonds)

so this type of company, most of the time gets the trouble for investors.

then author discusses some examples in that author takes the short and long issue of the same bond.

For Examples.

In 1932,

the Bond is First 5s, this bond short maturity in 1934 and long term maturity in 1944.

so in this bond, only maturity difference occurs all rating and coupon rates are the same.

First 5s means, they are first in seniority of bonds, and 5s means 5% coupon rate, if 5s instead that 6s means 6% coupon rate.

Debenture means, they are unsecured

So Due to 1934 means, maturity in 1934

Due to 1944 means, maturity in 1944

I hope basic terminology you understand

let’s come with examples

so those short bonds which mature in 1934, their price is $96.5, and those 1944 long term mature bond price is $35.

means those are mature in 1934, they, you can buy on $96.5 and those are mature in 1944 their price, so you can buy is $35. (Investment Grade Corporate Bonds)

so what happened in 1934, the company pay off the short-term maturity bonds by the company.

so those issue of 1944, their price increases up to $91.

so this long-term bond ( 1944) is a good opportunity because in this principle profit we get.

the author gives another example

Secured 6.5s, and their maturity in 1933 and secured 6.5s, their maturity for the long term in 1935.

The price of the short-maturity bond is $94 and

Long maturity bond price is $43

so this both issues, company payoff at maturity

so in this also long term issue is a good opportunity to investment

because you get the cheap price of a long-term maturity bond.

Other issues

In 1938 First 5s bond, price is $99.88 and they mature in 1944

First 5s bond, for long term maturity in 1954 bond price is $45

so both are default in 1939, before his maturity. (Investment Grade Corporate Bonds)

those are price is $99.88 decrease to $36

and the price of long term maturity bonds decreases to $20

so those are very expensive and short term maturity bonds, their price is highly falling than long term maturity bonds.

so like this author gives the two and three examples

the author also says, ” Is this is not meaning to buy maturity bond that is cheap and long term bond, just because they are cheap.”

so seeing Safety is important, if safety standards, we have to satisfy, if the company does not satisfy with the safety standard, then we don’t have to buy that bond, because we are not benefiting and taking the risk of losing principal.

this is all come in criteria 3

so let’s see criteria 4

Criteria 4: Record of interest and Dividend payments :-Investment Grade Corporate Bonds

so start with as per the New York Statutes

The bonds of state say, ” those are bond, they don’t have to be default in a single year of a 10-year lifespan
The Municipalities says, ” Not default for previous 25 years.”
The bond of Railroads says, ” Not defaulted for previous 6 years”
The bond of Public Utilities says, ” not defaulted for previous 8 years”

So after this new york statute rules, then the author says, ” suppose there are new municipalities establish, then according to them then, don’t get the finance, and they can’t wait for 25 years, so those are new states, they can’t wait for 10 years if they follow the rules of New York statutes. means, they don’t get finance.”

So those default in 10 years or 25 years, then they don’t get the finance if we follow the new york statutes.

Then for this, The author says, ” This is the different stringent rule, so what is a solution or so for this, buy the high coupon rate bond, then you have the risk of principal loss. (Investment Grade Corporate Bonds)

So the author says, “this is not a good idea just like before say so many times”

so right way is the author says, ” you have to stringent your own standard because those happen failure in 25 years of companies part to compensate with them your stringent standard.”

Like see this thing,

the city or state what if they rehabilitate, their and reduce the expenditure and increases the Tax rate to collect maximum revenue and also minimize the debt and reorganization of corporate in companies.

so this thing you have to see to invest in their bonds,

So then you ask for a higher yield is not because you have a loss of principle instead that to satisfy yourself.

So before is bad, and I take high yield, so this listening looks, weird.

but the author says, that

so let’s talk about dividend Record

Dividend Record:

Dividend record is company pay the dividend record before 5 years, in past.

so the myth is that those are companies that pay the dividend, they are strong companies

so this looks logically good, because if the company has money, then only they pay the dividend.

So the company has money and they issue a bond, and bond investment is also good.

so then the author says, ” company pays the dividend regularly, then we only know that companies financial strength is good, but those are bondholder,

they don’t have any direct benefit instead that they got the loss because, companies resources are used by the common stockholder, and companies cash is payable to the stockholder,

so in future, some difficulties come, then companies don’t have the cash to pay for bondholders.

so this thing, you can know from companies balance sheet that company is sound, so that necessary to pay a dividend, so they have money to pay dividend bu they not paying, so this thing is better than paying a dividend.

so in dividend-paying companies have this advantage is, if company cancel the dividend, then we know companies in the future have some difficulties so that line company concern the dividend because, their problem in future performance. (Investment Grade Corporate Bonds)

But, in this have difficulty is if some company perform bad and condition is weak bu they pay the dividend because, their credit rating is going low so this is very dangerous things, we have to stay attentive on that.

so summary of dividend criteria is those companies pay the dividend, they have some condition, we have to see that condition, and what benefited to the bondholder, then only you have to invest in that companies bond.

so let’s talk about criteria 5

Criteria 5: Relation of Earnings to interest requirement

This is also, interest coverage ratio, and this is also interest earing multiple)

to this is important, so this called as Margin of safety.

So what say New York Statutes

Railroad ( Mortage bonds):

on this, the New York Statute says, 1.5X of earning interest charges in past 6 years out 5 individuals year.

so means, In the past 6 years, in 5 years the interest coverage ratio is 1.5X

The recent year is important and there are the first year and remaining 5 years in that any 4 years.

so those are debentures or income bonds of railroads. (Investment Grade Corporate Bonds)
(on income bond we can talk later when we talk about the preferred stock)

so in this multiple is 2X in the latest year ( previous first year) and in past 5 years in that 4 years of any four years.

Those are Public utilities:- their earning is 2X in past 5 years average of interest charges

so we talk about in railroads of individuals year of past years,

but in public utility, we take an average of years.

So get the value of interest coverage ratio, you have to know about three things

* 3 things to consider for interest coverage ratio:

so for this author give the three things that help you to consider interest coverage ratio, so let’s see

Methods of computation of interest coverage ratio
amount of courage required
The period required for the test ( time period)

so let’s see the Method of computation of interest coverage ratio: in this author give three methods that people used in previous past time, and also suggest which is best

a) Prior deduction method

b) Commutative deduction method

c) Total deductions method aka. Overall methods

so all methods discussed while taking examples

a) Prior deduction Method

Suppose A company, $10 million worth of First Mortage 5% bond, and Debentures worth $5 million.

and companies average earning is $1,400,000

so the company have to pay interest on the first mortgage is 5% of $10 million is equal to $500,000

so coverage ratio is = $1,400,000/$500,000 = 2.8X

and remain is = $1,400,000 – $500,000 = $900,000

so those are junior debentures for this they have to pay 6% on $ 5 million of debenture

so interest on 6% = $300,000

so coverage ratio = $900,000 / $300,000 = 3X

The stupid thing is

those are senior bonds their coverage ratio is 2.8X and those are junior bonds and their coverage ratio is 3X

it means that junior issue is more protected than senior issues. (Investment Grade Corporate Bonds)

So these things are very stupid,

Because obviously those are senior bonds they have more protection than the junior bond and they got first money when the company is failing. but in that not happen like that so

this method is a useless method and misleading method, but so many companies use this ratio in past and they fool the investor and investors also do stupid things and don’t think about this and they only see quantitative but not see qualitative.

So people forgot the figure and people go in calculation and say, this value is original whatever they come.

They forget also, whatever value comes, they are not checked for is sensible or not.

b) Commutative Deduction method:

In these, those are the first mortgage, and they are the same as above mentioned

because, on that method, no one is superior

so the ratio is for the First 5s = 2.8X is coverage ratio ( calculate above)

so come for a debenture,

for debenture, in this method, First of all, you have to pay first mortgages

so $800,000 , total interest charges

so debenture 6% ratio = $1,400,000/ $500,000 + $300,000 =1.75X

so this method is good, than the first method, because, it looks sensible

but the author says, ” we have to use the third method i.e. Over all method or total reduction method.”

This means whatever, you buy ( senior or junior) total debt safety is required.

so for both ( first and debenture 6s also)

for this, you have to add junior and senior interest charged i.e. $500,000 + $300,000

then ratio is = $1,400,000/ 800,000 = 1.75X

for both

because, if junior lien default, then, his effect also happens on senior in coming future.

If you buy senior issues ( mortgage bonds), they can also use this method

Add junior and senior interest charge for ratio

if you consider your own interest expense then you get more than good things and have added in advantage

but don’t use that rule. (Investment Grade Corporate Bonds)

so for total, this rule and added advantages

now let’s talk about other points

2) Amount of coverage required:

in this author give the specif coverage ratio for each and every category

for public utility ratio is = 1.75X
for railroads ratio is = 2X
for industrials ratio is = 3X

so this ratio author gives from his experience and their practices and also see companies history in depression also.

3) Period Required for Test:

So New York Statutes says, you have to take a period of five years and also says, for utility take an average of five years and for railroads take an independent year of 4 in past and immediate precious year not in taht.

so for this author says, 7 years period is better than 5 years period

and we can also modify it by increasing or decreasing year by seeing previous year performance

Suppose, we invest in 1940, in that time you can take 7 years, but year 1933 is in depression so for this, you can take only 6 years, by modifying according to the situation and that is very helpful.

If you invest in 1934 or 1935, so in this time, you can’t help with 7 years period, because in that 3 years in the depression, so for this you have to take 10 or 12 years of the time period to unusual things is average out the depression time freme. (Investment Grade Corporate Bonds)

so in this, you have two kind situation

in the first situation, you can take the actual earning in depression(whatever come -ve) year for interest coverage ratio, but interest coverage ratio is come very less, so for this author says, ” take the Zero earning of those years that are in a depression instead that taking whatever is coming.

and consider time period for 12 years and take their average and after that found the ratio ( coverage ratio)

so this author recommends, instead of separate,

the author says, after this all, we have to see other points also

” We have to see what are the average trends and minimum figure and also the current figure.”

so suppose earning profit increases means, a rising trend is going, then this is good and current showing figure is also good, then better and you get the good margin on that then also better in a rising trend.

If earning Trend is Unfavorable ( downward trend,) then you don’t have to accept until the first thing is the earning ratio is required maximum.

The second thing is the earning trend is downward, then you have to confirm that this trend is temporary ( instead is not only I think so it’s not like this reason) you have to good conviction reason why goes high this trend.

so these are all things we have to conclude while investing in bonds.

What is a bond? and their specific standard for bond

By Laxman Sonale July 17, 2021

hello friends, in today’s, article, we see the specific standard for bond investment from chapter 8 of the security analysis book and also what is a bond, how we invest in them, and what are the problems come while investing in bonds.

Previous Chapter 7

Principle 4: Definite standard of safety must be applied:-What is a bond

In principle 4, we talk about those states, they have their own laws and rules on those that are saving banks that can invest in specific areas.

they have to satisfy their criteria of states

So the author (Benjamin graham and David dodd’s) use the New York Status, because, he thinks it’s a good point to start.

After that, whatever its criteria, the author criticism them and if need to neglect them or reject them also and they modified them if required.

So there are 7 criteria prescribed by New York Statutes:

In the Coming 4 chapters we explain the 7 criteria in this, we see only two criteria.

So firstly the author explains, what the new york statute says, and what author explains his own view if they are right or wrong

General criteria prescribed by New York Statute:-(what is a bond)

Nature and location of business or government business
Size of enterprise, or the Issues
Terms of the issues
Record of solvency and dividend payments
Relation of earnings to interest requirement
Relation of the value of property to funded debt
Relation of stock capitalization to funded debt.

Criteria 1: Nature and Location

1 ) New York Statute says, ” You can invest in U.S. government bond, state bonds, municipal bond”

but You can not invest in foreign government and foreign corporation bonds.

2) You can invest in Railroad, gas, and telephone industry, b

but you can not invest in street railway and water companies and also in debentures of public utilities.

3) You can invest in the first mortgage on a real estate bond,

but you can not invest in all industrial bonds and also financial companies’ bonds, investment trust, and credit concern companies also.

so for this author give some problems with New York statutes

Problems with New York Statute on Criteria 1:

1 ) In any industry, we can’t invest, so this is not talking about practically way because, in the industry also, there are some companies that perform well in bad times also and we can select them.

If we neglect whole industry segment then, what remain only railroads and public utility and government bond according to the New York Statutes.

So it’s happening, if we can’t find good then don’t go for bad.

so this is like we are doing narrow and it’s not right, so we can include the industrial also.

2) Water companies neglect the public utility by the New York Statutes and don’t give a good reason and other states include the water company and we also include them.

3) In 1938, One commitment that happens in the banking sector is in that they do the consortium of banks can waive as many rules as it sees fit, and they decide which criteria can remain and eliminate and also do modifications according to them by doing a simple variation.

so for this, the author says, ” Until now there is not any problem of consortium bank, but happen problem in future.”

so we don’t have to take tension because, nowadays, no consortium bank, that told us to do this or that.

4) Foreign government restriction is a good restriction according to the author, because, the foreign government pays or does not pay. If they don’t pay you, so you can’t force them to pay and you can’t take their asset, and revenue source,

the author gives examples of some countries that full fill the obligation and some more countries that don’t fulfill the obligations.

like those fulfill obligation country are Canada, Holland, and Switzerland, etc.

after that, the author talks about foreign company bond investment.

So many cases, present there, those fulfill the obligation by a foreign company but not that time government doesn’t fulfill it.

but sometimes the company is able to pay but the government restricts them.

So sometimes exchange is restricted on the company by the government.

so the foreign company has the ability to pay but they can’t pay, because the government does not allow it.

Criteria 2: Size of company

The author says those are a small company that is very much vulnerable at unexpected changes.

so those are big companies, they can go easily and unexpected harsh condition goes easily. means, they can pass easily in dangerous situations also.

Because, they have good relation with bank and they have lots of resources, that deals with that situation.

so New York statute, what say, about this criterion is

In railroad, in that much amount of mine is spread over the area, and in municipal bonds, that much amount of population is required and in public utility, they say different types of criteria, but in this point that much is not important, if you want to know about them then, buy a book by clicking above image of book.

So come here directly and what author reconnects

The author says, ” buy municipality bonds when the population is 10 thousand or by public utility when gross revenue is about $2 million and on the railroad, the gross revenue is $3 million

and lastly, in the industrial, the gross revenue is $5 million.

Industrial is not included in New York statute, because they don’t say, to b buy or avoid them

and author says, ” invest in industrial also.”

So large size does not mean to have safety

so it’s may happen those are the largest companies that are the weakest company.

if they have maximum debt.

So large size criteria are not affected in this municipality, railroad, and public utility,

so small and large both are the same.

but in industrial, have an effect, those are large size, they are more stable than small size.

So this is all about the two criteria for specific standards for bond investment.

How to invest in bonds from security analysis book

By Laxman Sonale July 11, 2021

Hello friends, in today’s, article, we see how to invest in bonds, from chapter 7 of Security analysis. while investing in bonds, you can consider some principles of that, in we see the two principles( second and third) of investing in bonds, from chapter 7 of security analysis.

so let’s see one by one steps of investing in bonds.

Previous Chapter 6 on Investment bonds

The Selection of Fixed-Value Investments Second and Third principles:-How to invest in bonds

This explains the two principles of investing in bonds.

so let’s see one by one

Principle 2: Bonds should be bought on a depression basis.

In Good conditions, every bond performs the great, but when depression comes, then we know which bond is strong or weak.

So in depression, the bond will be safe or not

on these two views come forwards

Two Views:

The character of Industry e.g. Water, electricity
Amount of protection e.g. Steel, automobiles companies

so you have a question What is the means of Character of the industry?

it means, Company comes in those industries, that industry has some immunity in depression condition.

for example, Light companies, Water supply companies, the telephone company. (How to invest in bonds)

and another question, What are the means of Amount of Protection?

it means, having a good Margin of Safety

means, Margin of Safety is high as much as that can not affect depression also.

In bond Context, the Margin of Safety is the Interest Coverage ratio ( times interest earned, Earning multiples)

so in this chapter whenever word comes coverage ratio, that means earning multiple, interest coverage ratio.

The Amount of Protection required those companies like steel companies, Automobiles, etc.

You need a maximum amount of protection because they fluctuate more.

So The author ay,s ” Those companies are good companies that perform well in depression also.”

The author says, ” Character of Industry is more important than the Amount of Protection because those companies perform good in depression, then minimum safety is considered as good.

Because In depression Maximum safety is also eroded.

So the author also, says, ” Not any industry is resistance to the depression, so the quest on is how much difference occurs in that industry’s company.”

That much percentage of the company is stable in depression as compared to competitors, then we can get maximum protection also. (How to invest in bonds)

This means the Minimum coverage ratio is sufficient for us

So if Maximum unstable company, then that much amount of earning multiple then, we ask for a good margin of safety.

If in some companies the Instability is more then, don’t buy this companies bond, whatever the maximum coverage ratio.

so Coverage ratio calculated formulae are

Coverage ratio = Earning before interest Tax / Interest expense ( interest charges)

Suppose a company pays $1 interest on a bond, and company earnings are $10 so then the coverage ratio is 10.

or Earning multiple 10.

Means, How much multiple companies generate the earning on an interest basis. so the company does a maximum coverage ratio then the company is safe and they give the regular payment of bonds.

The character of Industry reflects the difference in stability and required coverage ratio.

so the author says, there are three types of company, we can classify

Public Utility
Railroads
Industrials

These are different, because, these companies have different stability

1 ) Public utility is stable, and the railroad is less stable than public utility and Industrials is very less stable than Railroads.

So in these three types, we required different coverage ratios, that much minimum required to buy that company, so that’s why they are different. (How to invest in bonds)

So Public Utilityis more stable, so for this less Coverage ratio is sufficient

The railroad is only stable, then they required more coverage ratio, than a public utility.

Industrial companies required a maximum coverage ratio than railroad companies because they are unstable.

Then, The author talks about industries, why bonds collapse in depression

so which companies bond collapse in depression,

so let’s talk about public utility.

Reasons for bond Collapses during the depression:

Public Utility was failed not because earnings disappeared, but because of Excessive debt on companies. so Interest charges were maximum and the coverage ratio is very less, that debt was not handled the small fluctuations, those companies do not have maximum debt, and their coverage ratio is maximum and they perform well in depression also.
Railroads: In railroad stability of Earning was overrated and margin of safety also decreases because insufficient in depression. So the author says, ” People have to observe before, for example, Country grow in 1920 but railroad, companies did not increase the earnings, so this is clear that industry was weak. so this reason, Investors have to increases the margin of safety criteria minimum requirements. In railroads cases, those people getting the same minimum requirement criteria of margin of safety and they know after they failed in depression.
Industrial: in industries, the sudden disappearance of earnings even for companies with a high Margin of Safety and also doubt on business survive or not in this depression. so in this, the author says, How much margin of safety whatever let’s consider 50, then in depression companies have problem with operation cost, then all are going erode. (How to invest in bonds)

the author observed that the large size companies, that do a good deal in depression time, then small companies so small and mediocre companies do very bad in depression.

so in big companies in their problem is, large-size companies present very little. and their debt outstanding is not more because they retire the bond issues.

So is that not means, if you don’t get the good company, then buy bad companies bonds.

Public says, ” those are secondary companies, how they get capital, if you only buy large companies bonds and finance them, so this activity affect the small and mid-size companies.”

so for this, the author says, ” We don’t take their responsibility and save them while sacrificing our capital, so in this type of securities not take in this type of securities not come in Class I of Fixed-value type investment.

If they want funds from us, then they have to give us a good chance of making profits on principal money, if we have principle loss risk.

So on bond financing, people view as following

Bond issues, when supposing as weakness of the company and that’s why bond issued.
The company doesn’t issue stocks, that why issues bonds.

that’s both are generally accepted views of people.

so from this, we get the message is only weak companies have to issue the bond.

so for this message, the author says, ” If only a weak company issues the bond, then we don’t have to buy that bond.”

then the author told, their view on Bond Financing

if a Business is profitable, then they get the profits while issuing bonds, because business profits give an infinite percentage and only little percentage have to pay on bonds, means fixed payment and whole profit of that company. If we are stockholders, then only we can participate in profits.
So bond issues, the benefit is very cheaply you raise the capital

so let’s understand with examples, (How to invest in bonds)

Suppose loan is 2, 3% and you make the 20 and 30%, then you can easily ready to take a loan, so just like that of the company also.

the company gets the bond for 4,5% and they make 50 or 60% profits.

After that, the author talks about unsound practices that are followed in the industry.

1 ) Railroad company issues bonds because their earning is poor and then stock, sales fluctuate, then the author says,” don’t buy this type of Bonds.

2) Some strong companies, issue bonds to pay the debt. so during this activity management problem is solved, but shareholders’ problems increases and their dilution starts, and companies free from debt.

So from this principle 2

we learn two things

If we don’t get good companies bond, then don’t go for bad companies bond so this is no good reason then don’t buy, if not available.
The industrial segment buys the bond of those that have the dominant size and have a good margin of safety ( means earning multiple has maximum.)

so let’s talk about principles 3

Principle 3: Unsound to sacrifice for yield

means, if some companies bonds, have risk to lose principle, but company give you high coupon rate and give you high yield but you can lose principal money.

so buying this type of bond is not good.

Because there is no relation between yield and risk.

Because, that the risk of loss is indefinite and no one is predicting and you can’t says, while seeing that past to handle risk. (How to invest in bonds)

Just like Life insurance, fire insurance in that you can see the previous data and people’s mortality rate and doing actual computation and from that, we can say, about the relation of risk and yeild.

but in this we can’t says about risk and yeild relation.

because in this the loss is not defined uniformly they are concentrated at particular intervals, like depression everyone gets lost.

And the author says, ” while accepting principle lose, instead of high coupon rate just like become an insurance company.

In an insurance company, you pay the premium and if you have lost like, fire in the house some life-death, so then you get the payment from another side.

you can say like principles because you pay the premium on that.

so if lose events happen then only you get the money.

So in this situation, you become the insurance company and the company pays you a premium on a risky bond, and they take your principle money first, and then they give you a premium on each 6 month interval time.

and if you have lost, then forgot the principles money.

so the author says, ” this is not a good idea, because those are individual then, can’t distribute money like an insurance company. if they distribute like an insurance company but when college, they lose everything in depression. (How to invest in bonds)

so that’ why not good idea

then the author says, ” If you have to take the principle to lose risk, then you can’t offset by the high coupon rate instead of that, offset of risk, you have to get a good chance on that principles to get good profits.

For example, ‘ if you buy bond then buy very much at a discount of par value.

so in this, you have profits possibility and also have lost possibility.

both have a chance or instead that but the conversion bond that converts in stocks, in future.

For example, if you invest $100, and you can lose $100, so in this situation, you have to be possible is that $100 becomes $1000, then only benefited, if not benefited.

Then the author says, ” while selecting bond how people select and how we have to select.

How people select bonds:

So they start with a first-lien bond( senior security) and they think, this is very safe and after that, they see the taking risk of the percentage that increases yield.

so this is not the right way

because the first lien, you think it’s safe.

so the author says, ” The right way to select”

The company has to satisfy the minimum standard of safety, after that, we consider which have to choose.

If the lowest seniority (highest yield) bond is not secure and the minimum required of safety not satisfy, then you don’t have to see that company bond and issues failing to meet the minimum required should be disqualified.

means don’t buy that company bonds.

so you have to see from the bottom of the bonds hierarchy and overall debt of the company are satisfy the minimum requirement. (How to invest in bonds)

if they do, then you have to see above of bond seniority for additional safety and you have sacarifying yield.

so we have to do like this, not like people way.

so this is all about how to invest in bonds from chapter 7 of the security analysis book

Investment bonds from security analysis chapter 6

By Laxman Sonale July 6, 2021

Hello friends, in today’s, article we see the investment bond from chapter 6 of the security analysis book is The Selection of Fixed-value Investment. In this chapter, the authors give the perfect theory of The selection of investment bonds ( Fixed-value).

In the previous chapter, we see the classification of securities, so there are three classes of Securities. let’s recap, Class I, has the safety on principle money and has a steady income. Class II, they are divided into two types.

Type A: is have principle safety and has the conversion feature to make the possibility of profit.

Type B: In this, you can lose principle and you get lots of profits on Principles.

Class III, is about Common stocks.

so from this Part-2 of this book is begin, in this part-2 also have the five chapter so let’s start

So Part-2 is whole about the Class I securities ( fixed-value investment)

The Selection of Fixed-Value Investment: (Investment bonds)

So we talked about in the previous chapter is that we should classify securities on the basis of characters rather than on the basis of title.

In Fixed-Value type Include: (Investment bonds)

1) High-Grade straight bonds and Preferred stocks

2) High-Grade Privileged Issues.

3) Common Stocks having guarantee or Preferred status.

So It’s not fixed is that the fixed value type is only investment bonds as financial instruments.

This whole thing depends on its characteristic for they qualify for Fixed-Value Issues.

So most of the bonds are frequently associated with safety by the peoples, but they have to say like that Instead of safety is Associated with Limited return.

there was safe or not is the whole thing depends on company strength and earning power.

So let’s see what difference between bonds and preferred stocks.

Bondholders have the first claim on companies earnings and company make them promises of payment in regular interval of time. (Investment bonds)
So Preferred stocks also have claims but don’t have any promised with regular interest payments. So director decides to give dividends or not to the preferred stocks. there is neither priority nor Promise is assurance that of the safety of Principles.
this depends on the company’s strength to fulfill the company obligation., so this thing is only known from the Balance sheet of companies previous year records and his execution plan and future perspective about the company.
so from them, you know your issue is safe or not.

so the bond selection is just not like search and acceptance, it’s like a process of exclusion and rejection.

The author gives the four Principles of Selection of Fixed Value-type Securities (Investment bonds)

4 principles for selection of Fixed-Value Types Securities:

1) Safety does not depend on how many senior issues, means not by Specific lien, so lien like are the seniority of bond-like 1,2,3,4, preferred stocks and lastly common stocks.

So just like that those who hire high seniority, they have a maximum priority claim on companies asset.

The author here, try to say, ” Safety does not depend on seniority (whatever their rank) but they depend on those companies ae issue this bonds, that company have the strength to defeat their obligation.”

2) This Ability of the company to pay the interest payment. for checking this, we have to consider depression time, instead of that good time(prosperity time).

Because any mediocre company do well in prosperity time and fulfill the obligation of the company

3) If there is no safety of bonds, then given them a high coupon rate and compensation is not possible (worth it)

4) The selection of all bonds for investment purposes should be subject to rules of Exclusion and to specific quantitative tests corresponding to those prescribed by status to govern investment of saving bonds.

means the bond selection is like the government make the investment like that we have to make and our purpose is simply to make the interval of time regular income. (Investment bonds)

So in this chapter, we see only Principle 1

Principle I: Safety is not Measured by Lien, but by the ability to Pay.

So in these, there are two views on safety points.

Two views:

1) character and supposed value of the property on which bonds hold a lien,( First people think like safety

is measure by how much asset is a mortgage against that issue. so depends on seniority, so those who have the first lien against him, keep mortgage of asset means if the company is not paying their interest of first-lien seniority bond, this first lien seniority bondholder take the asset of the company under him.

so whatever is property value on that we have to buy,

So this type of people thinking on bond or senior lien

2) Strength and Soundness of obligor Enterprises ( means the safety depends on enterprises strength, so the company can pay their bills not depends on asset value.)

So in the first view, we think, they are claiming against on property.

In the Second view bond is a claim against the business. (Investment bonds)

So in this which is right,

Now you think, if the company can’t pay, then bondholders take over the companies assets and sell them and pay for themselves.

but this is not happening, so in this, there are three types of problems.

Three problems with the first view:

1 ) When businesses fail, then properties values also shrink. so companies value depends on companies earning power. If a company fails then fixed asset value also goes down.

so understanding this point the author gives the examples

Cardboard all Florida railway company, this company first mortgage is going down from 25 million to 250K dollar when the company is failing.

so the value of companies is going down when businesses fail.

the second problem is

2) You(bondholder) get the legal right with bonds, legal like You can sell the property of company, but you can’t enforce them when the company failed.

Because Court does not allow you for this.

So those are a junior lien, what they get if first lien holder sells the property and distribute themself because, the business value goes down, that why only first-lien can get money, so no money for second or third lien holder, so that’s why the court does not allow for this. (Investment bonds)

the third problem is

3) If you are allowed to take over the property by the court, so in this situation also take the lots of time and spend much money for advocate and other expense, and takes lots of delays occurred to solve the problem.

Bondholders’ motive is to avoid trouble not to found in trouble and how to goes from that troubles.

So from these principles what we learn

the first thing we learn is

Corollaries from Principle-I:

1) So there is no difference between senior or junior lien: If a company is strong then its debentures(unsecured debt) also strongs.

This debenture is a junior form of debt.

If the company strong then, their debenture also wonderful as like a first-lien bond.

So the author says, ” Strong companies debenture is better than the weak companies first lien.”

The second thing we learn is

2) Buy the highest yield: means those are a sound company or strong company, this type of company bonds, we can buy the junior bond for highest yield and you get the highest yield on that bond.

so regarding safety is all of them, not only for the first-lien bond and not for the last one lien.

This thinking present only in theory but not in practice mode, people only buy the low yield bond with the first-lien category.

The author tries to say, ” If companies junior bond is not safe then, their senior bond is also not safe so we don’t need to buy their first-lien bond.”

If a company is weak so its high-grade bond is also not safe, means if their high-grade bond is also like the low-grade bond value. (Investment bonds)

The third thing we learn is

3) If junior bonds yield and senior bond yield have the maximum difference then buy the Junior bond, If there is no difference in senior bond and junior bond, this type buy the senior bond, without taking any risk.

So buying senior bonds, they have to the protection but the yield is same, just use common sense.

What to buy in any situation, for this author give the examples

Suppose a junior lien of company X and the First mortgage bond of Company Y.

So in these two cases come forward, if we prefer the junior lien bond than the senior lien mortgage bond.

Company X has adequate protection of total debt and the yield of junior lien bond is substantially higher than that of company Y senior lien bond.
Buy junior lien not a senior lien, If suppose, there is not any difference between junior yield and senior yield, but the total debt protection company is more than company Y, so we can buy the junior lien.

so protection is more than those are fixed charged on bonds, which means, the Interest coverage ratio of Company X is more than the Company Y.

We can prefer the junior lien of Company X whatever not have the maximum difference between in yield.

so lastly the author says for the understanding bond. so this is the exception to the above-mentioned rules)

lastly, says the author, “Investors are not involved in this issues because they are far beyond the competence of investors and investors have to stick with this rules is the strong company has strong bonds.”

whatever we learn and use common sense to buy the junior and senior bond.

So this is all about the Investment bond from chapter 6 of security analysis.