Financial Terms / junk bond

Investing in Risky Junk Bonds

Junk bonds are a high-risk, high-reward investment option, providing a market indicator for the overall financial health of companies, start-ups, and those in financial distress.

Formula

JNK = Total Cost of Bond/Total Face Value of Bond

How do I calculate the junk bond?

Junk bonds are a high-risk investment, and it is important to calculate them carefully. To do this, take the total cost of the bond and divide it by the total face value of the bond. The result is the yield of the bond. For example, if the total cost of the bond is $1,000 and the face value of the bond is $2,000, the yield of the bond is 0.5. To help calculate junk bonds, many investors use spreadsheet programs like Sourcetable. 

What is a high-yield bond?

A high-yield bond is a corporate bond that has a higher yield than other bonds in the same class. It is also commonly referred to as a "junk bond" because of its higher risk.

Why are these bonds called "junk"?

These bonds are called "junk" because they are considered to be riskier investments than other bonds, and the potential reward is greater. The higher yield indicates a higher risk of default.

What is the formula for calculating the yield of a bond?

The formula for calculating the yield of a bond is Yield = Interest / Price, where interest is the coupon payment and price is the price of the bond.

Key Points

How do I calculate junk bond?
JNK = Total Cost of Bond/Total Face Value of Bond
High Yield
Junk bonds are high-yielding securities, meaning they offer investors a higher return potential than traditional bonds.
Higher Risk
The higher yield associated with junk bonds is a result of the higher risk associated with the investment. These bonds are issued by companies with less-than-stellar credit ratings, so there is a greater chance of default.
Speculative Investment
Junk bonds are considered speculative investments because of the higher risk associated with them. Investors should be aware of the potential for default when investing in junk bonds.
Investment Strategy
Investors should consider their long-term goals when deciding whether or not to invest in junk bonds. Generally, these bonds should be part of a diversified portfolio and not used as a primary investment strategy.

Make Better Decisions
With Data

Analyze data, automate reports and create live dashboards
for all your business applications, without code. Get unlimited access free for 14 days.