Bonds are debt securities that represent a loan made by an investor to a borrower, typically a corporation, government, or other organization. When you buy a bond, you are essentially lending your money to the issuer in exchange for periodic interest payments (known as coupon payments) and the return of the bond's face value (known as the principal) when the bond matures.

Here are some key points to understand about bonds:

1. Issuer: The entity or organization that issues the bond is known as the issuer. Common types of bond issuers include:

   • Corporate Bonds: Issued by corporations to raise capital for various purposes, such as expansion, acquisitions, or debt refinancing.
   • Government Bonds: Issued by governments at different levels (e.g., U.S. Treasury bonds, municipal bonds) to finance public projects and operations.
   • Municipal Bonds: Issued by state and local governments or municipalities to fund public projects like schools, highways, and infrastructure.
   • Agency Bonds: Issued by government-sponsored entities (e.g., Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac) to support specific sectors, like housing.

2. Face Value: The face value (or par value) of a bond is the amount that the issuer promises to repay the bondholder when the bond matures. It is typically $1,000 per bond, but it can vary.

3. Coupon Rate: The coupon rate is the annual interest rate paid to bondholders. It is usually expressed as a percentage of the bond's face value. For example, a bond with a $1,000 face value and a 5% coupon rate would pay $50 in interest annually ($1,000 * 0.05).

4. Coupon Payments: Bondholders receive periodic interest payments (coupon payments) at fixed intervals, such as annually, semi-annually, or quarterly, depending on the bond's terms.

5. Maturity Date: The maturity date is the date on which the issuer is obligated to repay the bond's face value to the bondholder. Bonds can have short-term maturities (e.g., a few months) or long-term maturities (e.g., 10, 20, or 30 years).

6. Yield: The yield is the effective annual return on a bond, taking into account its current market price, coupon payments, and the face value. The yield may differ from the coupon rate if the bond is bought or sold at a price other than its face value.

7. Market Price: Bonds can be bought and sold on the secondary market, where their prices can fluctuate based on factors like interest rates, economic conditions, and issuer creditworthiness. If the market price is higher than the face value, the bond is said to be trading at a premium; if it's lower, it's trading at a discount.

8. Credit Rating: Bonds are assigned credit ratings by credit rating agencies (e.g., Moody's, Standard & Poor's) to assess their creditworthiness. Higher-rated bonds are considered lower risk and typically offer lower yields, while lower-rated bonds may have higher yields but are associated with greater credit risk.

9. Callable and Non-Callable Bonds: Some bonds are callable, which means the issuer has the option to redeem (call) the bonds before their maturity date. Callable bonds often have higher coupon rates to compensate investors for this risk. Non-callable bonds cannot be redeemed by the issuer before maturity.

10. Use of Proceeds: The money raised through bond issuance can be used for various purposes, including financing capital projects, paying off existing debt, or supporting ongoing operations.

Bonds are considered relatively safer investments compared to stocks because they offer fixed income and a defined maturity date. However, bond prices can be affected by changes in interest rates, inflation, and the financial health of the issuer. Investors choose bonds as part of their portfolio for income generation, capital preservation, and diversification. The choice of bonds depends on an investor's risk tolerance, investment goals, and market conditions.