In finance, a bond is a debt security, in which the issuer owes the holders a debt and is obliged to repay the principal and interest (the coupon). Other stipulations may also be attached to the bond issue, such as the obligation for the issuer to provide certain information to the bond holder, or limitations on the behavior of the issuer. Bonds are generally issued for a fixed term (the maturity) longer than one year.

A bond is just a loan, but in the form of a security, although terminology used is rather different. The issuer is equivalent to the borrower, the bond holder to the lender and the coupon to the interest. Bonds enable the issuer to finance long-term investments with external funds.

Debt securities with a maturity shorter than one year are typically bills, Certificate of deposit or commercial paper, and considered money market instruments.

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FT.com - Equities

Basel curbs sees Lloyds lead retreat
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:14:04 -0000
Lloyds Banking Group was Thursday's biggest faller as financial stocks led the FTSE 100 to its sharpest drop in three weeks
Downgrade weighs on Greek banks
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:03:25 -0000
The financial sector was weaker in Europe, leading to a negative day for bourses across the continent
Short View: Betting on emerging markets
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:04:06 -0000
This year, individuals have been shifting money out of US stocks and into emerging market equities on a scale not seen before. And, guess what? They have made the right bet, says Aline van Duyn
US stocks slide on employment worries
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:51:18 -0000
US stocks fell after a disappointing outlook from FedEx added to concerns over unemployment
Basel was faulty
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:55:48 -0000
Shake-up proposals give few hard numbers but first impressions are of a punitive regime
US jobless claims show unexpected rise
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:23:53 -0000
The number of Americans claiming jobless benefits has risen for the second week running as the US economy continues to wrestle with persistent unemployment

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