Debt Capital Markets (DCM)Surface Transport & Logistics
What Are Debt Capital Markets?
Debt capital markets (DCM), also known as fixed-income markets, are a low-risk, capital market where investors are lenders to a company in exchange for debt securities. These markets are also used by companies to finance themselves through debt, which helps diversify their funding.
Why Invest in Debt Capital Markets?
Debt securities provide an income stream (hence the name “fixed-income”) as well as capital preservation (in most cases) for investors. The level of risk measured against the level of reward is something that all investors take into account when making investment decisions, and different investors have different risk tolerances. Some investors like the concept of high risk / high reward and seek out opportunities in the equity capital markets. However, for those looking for a lower risk, fixed-income investment, debt securities in the debt capital markets are usually more attractive.
challenge
Debt Securities
Debt securities are promises that a company makes to lenders in exchange for funding – such as bonds, treasuries, money market instruments, etc. They are generally offered with the addition of interest rates, which do not change and are dependent on the perceived ability of the borrower to repay their debt. For example, if the borrower does not seem to have the ability to repay, then the interest rate on a debt security will be higher; the opposite occurs if the borrower possesses such ability.
How does one go about acquiring debt securities? The two major ways of obtaining debt securities are either through the primary market or the secondary market. The primary market is where governments and companies directly issue their bonds. The secondary market is where individuals who have already received their bond certificates go to resell the bond for either a higher or lower price, depending on supply and demand.
Classifications
Classifications of Bonds
Remember that bonds are a type of security sold by debt capital markets teams. Bonds consist of a wide range of different securities, with different risk-return profiles and characteristics.
Here is a list of the more common bonds, with a general explanation of their characteristics:
- Investment-grade bonds: These bonds make up most of the market and carry low risk and low interest rates. They are generally used to raise money for funding working capital and regular business operations.
- High-yield bonds: Remember that yield also means interest. Therefore, these are the high-interest bonds. They are also the most dangerous types because these are generally issued by companies that may not meet their payment obligations.
- Government bonds: Governments also sell bonds to investors to fund their operations. Perhaps you know them by their US name, which is Treasuries. These are generally safer than corporate bonds, but the terms of these bonds are still reliant on how the market evaluates their creditworthiness. Generally speaking, however, government bonds are backed by the full faith of the government and are of high creditworthiness.
- Emerging markets bonds: These are issued by developing countries, usually by their government. These countries generally have increased political and economic pressures meaning that their credit ratings are usually lower, resulting in higher yield.
- Municipal bonds: The US has the biggest market for these types of bonds. These are issued by a variety of government bodies, such as cities, school districts, and counties.
Difference
Difference Between DCM and Equity Capital Markets (ECM)
The major difference between DCM and ECM is the type of investing activity that occurs. In DCM, investors are lending money to companies. In ECM, investors are purchasing a portion of ownership in a company. These two different investing activities yield two very different levels of risks and rewards. With debt securities, investors are offered a fixed coupon rate, which is why the market is sometimes referred to as the fixed-income market, and because of this, it has a lower return on investment when compared to equities.
However, a higher expected return does not necessarily make equities a better market, because the potential for a higher return on investment is commonly associated with higher risks. Moreover, equity markets do not have consistent payments in the form of dividends and the amount of the dividend varies depending on how well a company is doing.
Conversely, in debt markets, because the debt securities are promises to pay with interest attached, investors can expect their payment when it is due and in full. This makes debt less risky than equity, and the choice to invest in either one depends on the individual.
Contact us at the Consulting WP office nearest to you or submit a business inquiry online.
“I learned about the equity markets.
My experience with the company is memorable. The consultants are quite friendly. The research of Generali Finanza is really appreciable. I like the details research of the companies recommended. Thank You for your effort.”
