The term bond has in the past been the generic term for fixed interest stocks with security (the borrower is ‘bound’ to repay capital). Gilts are therefore bonds. However, in recent times the term ‘bond’ has also been used in the name of some equity based investments, for example investment bonds issued by insurance companies.
If you are new to investing perhaps you are not familiar with bonds. Before you get started, you need to understand some of the risks associated with bond investing. Most people assume that all interest-bearing securities are completely risk free, but this is not the case. Even if you know a lot about investing, you may not be aware of some of the risk characteristics associated with bonds.
Nowhere else in the investing world can the interested investor get more helpful information than that available from the various bond rating agencies
