Zero coupon bonds

What is a zero coupon bond?

A zero coupon bond is a bond that does not make interest payments. 

This type of bond is issued at a discount to its maturity value and is redeemed at the maturity value, generating a return for the investor. 

UK Treasury bills are an example of a zero coupon bond. 

Zero coupon bonds can be issued by governments, municipalities, and companies. 

More terms

Quantitative easing

Find out what quantitative easing is and how central banks use this monetary measure to encourage economic growth.
Read more

Wall Street

A street in New York that became a figure of speech for the financial markets of the US.
Read more

Net Asset Value (NAV)

The value of a company's assets relative to the number of shares it has.
Read more

Coupon

Also called a dividend, this is the fixed annual interest paid to gilt holders. It’s usually paid in two equal, semi-annual instalments and expressed as a percentage of the nominal value of the gilt.
Read more

Yield curve

A graphical representation of interest rates over time
Read more

Total Return

This is the measurement of a fund’s performance in a specific period.
Read more

Time Value of Money

The concept that money you have now is more valuable than the same sum in the future.
Read more

Junk Bond

A form of debt investment that carries higher risk because of the likelihood that the issuer will default.
Read more

Synthetic ETFs

An ETF that that reproduces the return of an index through the use of swaps.
Read more

You’re just minutes away from commission-free investing

When you invest, your capital is at risk