What are bonds? And how do bonds work?

Bonds are seldom as sexy as those wild-ride shares, but they’re reliable money-makers. Learn about bonds and how to match them to your personal investing style.

There are a whole bunch of different types of investing one could experiment with. They vary in risk and should typically match your personal investing style. Bonds are great because they provide investors with a stable and consistent income. Learn about the pros and cons of bonds and how they actually work.

What is a bond?

A bond is a debt investment in which an investor loans money to a corporate entity or government. The funds are borrowed for a defined period of time at either a variable or fixed interest rate. If you want a guaranteed money-maker, bonds are a much safer option than most. There are many times of bonds, however, and each type has a different risk level.

Unlike stocks, which are equity instruments, bonds are debt instruments. When bonds are first issued by the company, the investor/lender typically gives the company $1,000 and the company promises to pay the investor/lender a certain interest rate every year (called the Coupon Rate), AND, repay the $1,000 loan when the bond matures (called the Maturity Date). For example, GE could issue a 30 year bond with a 5% coupon.

The investor/lender gives GE $1,000 and every year the lender receives $50 from GE, and at the end of 30 years the investor/ lender gets his $1,000 back. Bonds differ from stocks in that they have a stated earnings rate and will provide a regular cash flow, in the form of the coupon payments to the bondholders.

This cash flow contributes to the value and price of the bond and affects the true yield (earnings rate) bondholders receive. There are no such promises associated with common stock ownership.

After a bond has been issued directly by the company, the bond then trades on the exchanges. As supply and demand forces start to take effect the price of the bond changes from its initial $1,000 face value. On the date the GE bond was issued, a 5% return was acceptable given the risk of GE. But if interest rates go up and that 5% return becomes unacceptable, the price of the GE bond will drop below $1,000 so that the effective yield will be higher than the 5% Coupon Rate. Conversely, if interest rates in general go down, then that 5% GE Coupon Rate starts looking attractive and investors will bid the price of the bond back above $1,000. When a bond trades above its face value it is said to be trading at a premium; when a bond trades below its face value it is said to be trading at a discount. Understanding the difference between your coupon payments and the true yield of a bond is critical if you ever trade bonds.

Pros and Cons of Bonds

As with (almost) all things, there exist both pros and cons when it comes to investing in bonds.

Pros

  • Bonds are a fairly safe investment and are created to give you, the investor, regularly pre-scheduled payments
  • In case the company fails to pay the promised payments, you have them by the um, tail. You’ll be one of the first to receive compensation for the loss if the company’s assets are liquidated
  • Even if interest rates go down, you’re still guaranteed (by law) to receive the higher rate
  • Even though selling a bond is not as easy and fast as selling stocks on the stock market, there is a market where you can sell it if you really want to (old school – like calling up your broker and asking him or her to find you a buyer)

Cons

  • Tax, Tax, Tax. Interest payments from bonds are taxed higher than any other investment income. It’s based on the tax rate that you pay on your regular income, it does have the potential to be quite high based on your earnings
  • If interest rates go up, you’ll be tied to the lower interest rates. This means that if you’re currently receiving 4%, and the market interest rates go up to 6%, you are still locked into the pre-arranged 4%
  • While the return is fixed, it is limited. You could make much more money if you invested in something riskier, like stocks or ETFs
  • Most bonds pay interest semi annually (twice a year), and some bonds don’t pay any interest until the end (zero-coupon bonds). This isn’t a good thing if you’re looking for something that pays you money more frequently.

How do bonds work?

Companies often issue bonds directly to investors when they’re looking to finance new projects or refinance existing debts instead of obtaining loans from a bank. A bond is issued along with a contract that states the interest rate and when the loaned funds are to be returned.

There are two ways to make money on bonds:

Interest payments

In most cases, you’ll get regular fixed interest payments while you hold the bond. Some bonds do have floating rates fluctuate over time. On the bond’s maturity date, you’ll get back the face value.

Selling a bond for more than you paid

Bond prices tend to go up as interest payments go down. Should this happen, money can still be made by selling your bond before it matures. You’ll get more than you paid for it, and you’ll keep the interest you’ve made up until the time you sell it.

Who should invest in bonds?

Investing in bonds isn’t for everybody. While many experts agree that at least some of your portfolio should be made up of bonds, there are certain types of investors who fit the mold a little better.

You would be more likely to invest in bonds:

  1. If you are a relatively conservative investor.

Bonds are considered to be a safer alternative to stocks in the short term. They are less volatile, meaning there will be less swings.

  1. If you feel the stock market is too risky and you want to make sure all your eggs aren’t in the same basket

Stocks tend to outperform bonds over time. Though in the short-term, bear markets could cause your stock investments to lose value. However, as the graph below indicates, Bonds have typically been more stable than any other asset.

  1. If you cared more about generating income from your investments rather than appreciation.

Bonds pay a regular interest rate (income) but usually do not go up in value as much as stocks, ETFs or mutual funds do.

  1. If you are a retiree

Investors in retirement have a shorter investment horizon. Therefore, you will care more about income generation and safety.


The Best Stock Newsletters as of June 29, 2025

Ranking of Top Stock Newsletters Based on Last 3 Years of Stock Picks

We are paid subscribers to dozens of stock newsletters. We actively track every recommendation from all of these services, calculate performance, and share the results of the top performing stock newsletters whose subscriptions fees are under $500. The main metric to look for is "Excess Return" which is their return above that of the S&P500. So, based on last 3 years ending June 29, 2025:

RankStock NewsletterStock
Picks
Average
Return
Excess
Return
Percent
Profitable
Max %
Return
1.Seeking Alpha logo
Alpha Picks
7663%40%73%969%
Summary: 2 picks/month based on Seeking Alpha's Quant Rating; Retail Price is $499/yr. See details in our Alpha Picks Review.July, 2025 Promotion:
Save $100
2.Moby logo tiny
Moby.co
30843.3%12.3%74%1764%
Summary: 60-150 stock picks per year, segmented by industry; Retail Price is $199/yr. Read our Moby Review.July, 2025 Promotion:Next pick free!
3.Motley Fool logo
Stock Advisor
7241.2%6.9%78%258%
Summary: 2 picks/month and 2 Best Buy Stocks lists focusing on high growth potential stocks over 5 years; Retail Price is $199/yr.
Read our Motley Fool Review.
July, 2025 Promotion: Get $100 Off
4.Zacks logo
Value Investor
3917.5%6.1%38%410%
Summary: 10-25 stock picks per year based on Zacks' Quant Rating; Retail Price is $495/yr. Read our Zacks Review.July, 2025 PROMOTION:$1, then $495/yr
5.Motley Fool logo
Rule Breakers
6640.0%4.7%61%311%
Summary: 2 picks/month focusing on disruptive technology and business models; Lifetime average return of 355% vs S&P500's 149% since 2005; Now part of Motley Fool Epic. Read our Motley Fool Epic Review.Current Promotion: Save $200
6.TipRanks logo
TipRanks SmartInvestor
12110.6%3.7%55%340%
Summary: About 1 pick/week focusing on short term trades; Lifetime average return of 355% vs S&P500's 149% since 2015. Retail Price is $379/yr. Read our TipRanks Review.Current Promotion: Save $180
7.TheStreet logo
Action Alerts Plus
39420.0%3.4%57%220%
Summary: 100-150 trades per year, lots of buying and selling and short term trades. Read our Jim Cramer Review.Current Promotion: None
8.Motley Fool logo
Stock Advisor Canada
3632.3%0.5%69%378%
Summary: 1 pick/month from the Toronto stock exchange; Retail Price is CD$199/yr. Read our Motley Fool Canada Stock Advisor Review.July, 2025 Promotion: Save $100
Top Ranking Stock Newsletters based on their last 3 years of stock picks' performance through May 31, 2025 as compared to S&P500. S&P500's return is based on average return of S&P500 from date each stock pick is released. NOTE: To get these results you must buy equal dollar amounts of each pick on the date the stock pick is released. Investor Business Daily Top 50 based on performance of FFTY ETF.
Build your wealth faster with best stock picks: See our new June 29, 2025 ranking of the Best Stock Newsletters.

The Best U.S. Brokerages as of June 30, 2025

Ranking of Top U.S. Stock Brokerages Based on Fees, Features, and Sign-Up Bonuses

We are experienced users of dozens of stock trading platforms. We stay up to date on these platforms' service offerings, subscription fees, trade commissions, and welcome bonuses. The brokerages listed below are for U.S.-based investors, and are ranked in order of overall value received after taking advantage of their sign-up and/or referral offers.

Rank Brokerage Fees Features Sign-Up Bonus Read Our Review
1. robinhood-review Robinhood $0 ✅ U.S. stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptos
✅ Now 23 million users
✅ Cash mgt account and credit card
Free stock up to $200 with new account, plus up to $1,500 more in free stock from referrals Robinhood Review
2. Moomoo $0 ✅ Free Level 2 Nasdaq quotes
✅ Access to U.S. and Hong Kong markets
✅ Educational tools
60 free stocks with $5k deposit; or 25 free stocks with $2k deposit Moomoo Review
3. Interactive Brokers $0 ✅ Access 150+ global stock exchanges
✅ IBKR Lite & Pro tiers for all
✅ SmartRouting™ and deep analytics
Refer a Friend and Get $200 Interactive Brokers Review
4. Robinhood Gold $5 ✅ 4% APY on cash
✅ 3% IRA match
✅ Level II data
✅ No interest on first $1,000 of margin
 Save with Annual Fee Robinhood Gold Review
5. M1 Finance

$3 monthly

10k in assets

✅ Automated investing “Pies”
✅ Banking & low-interest loans
✅ No trading fees with scheduled trades
$75-$500 Tiered Sign-up bonus M1 Finance Review
6. Webull $0 ✅ Extended-hours trading
✅ Great charts and screeners
✅ Commission-free options trading
$10 and a 30-day complimentary subscription to Webull premium;
$200-$30,0000 Tiered Sign up bonus
Webull Review
7. Public $0 ✅ Fractional shares
✅ No payment for order flow model
✅ “Alpha” tool with earnings calls
$100-$10,000 Tiered Cash Account Transfer Bonus Public Review
8. Composer $32 a month ✅ Invest in automated strategies
✅ Build custom strategies easily
✅ IRAs
$49 per successful referral with no limit on the number of referrals Composer Review
9. Stash

Growth $3;

+ $9 Month

✅ Stock-Back® debit card rewards in fractional shares
✅ Auto-invest and budgeting tools
✅ Curated theme portfolios
$5 when you invest $5 Stash Review
10. Acorns

Bronze $3; Silver $6; Gold $12 a month

✅ Automated investing portfolios
✅ ESG curated portfolios
✅ Acorns Early Invest for Kids' Accounts
Get a $20 bonus when you start saving & investing Acorns Review
11. Etoro $0 ✅ CopyTrading™ to follow top traders
✅ Trade U.S. stocks, ETFs, and crypto
✅ Trades with themed portfolios
$10 Crypto Sign-Up Bonus Etoro Review
12. Cash App $0 ✅ U.S. stocks and bitcoin; $1 minimum
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Up to $200 in free overdraft coverage and earn 4% on cash Cash App Review
Fees, features, sign-up bonuses, and referral bonuses are accurate as of May 31, 2025. All information listed above is subject to change.

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