Corporate debt market is a segment of the financial market that deals with the issuance and trading of debt securities by corporations. These securities are issued by companies to raise funds for various purposes such as expansion, acquisition, working capital, and debt refinancing. The corporate debt market is an important source of funding for companies as it provides an alternative to traditional bank loans and equity financing.
Types of Corporate Debt Securities:
- Bonds: A bond is a debt security that represents a loan made by an investor to a company. The bondholder receives periodic interest payments and the principal amount at maturity. Bonds can be issued by companies, governments, and other organizations. They are rated by credit rating agencies based on the creditworthiness of the issuer.
- Commercial Paper: Commercial paper is a short-term debt security that is issued by companies to meet their short-term funding requirements. It has a maturity period of up to one year and is typically issued by companies with a high credit rating. Commercial paper is usually issued at a discount to its face value, and the investor earns a return by holding the security until maturity.
- Debentures: Debentures are unsecured debt securities that are issued by companies. They are backed by the creditworthiness of the issuer and do not have any collateral attached to them. Debentures are typically issued with a fixed interest rate and a maturity period of more than one year.
Benefits of Corporate Debt Market:
- Diversification: Corporate debt securities provide investors with a way to diversify their portfolio by investing in a variety of companies and industries. This helps to reduce the risk of the portfolio by spreading it across different assets.
- Regular Income: Corporate debt securities provide investors with a regular income in the form of interest payments. This makes them an attractive investment option for investors looking for a steady source of income.
- Liquidity: The corporate debt market is highly liquid, which means that investors can buy and sell these securities easily. This makes it easy for investors to enter and exit the market whenever they want.
- Credit Rating: Corporate debt securities are rated by credit rating agencies, which provide investors with an indication of the creditworthiness of the issuer. This helps investors to make informed investment decisions.
Examples of Corporate Debt Market:
- Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs): Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) are a type of debt security that cannot be converted into equity shares. NCDs are usually issued by companies with a high credit rating and have a fixed interest rate and a maturity period of more than one year.
- Corporate Bonds: Corporate bonds are debt securities issued by companies to raise funds for various purposes. These bonds have a fixed interest rate and a maturity period of more than one year. Corporate bonds are usually rated by credit rating agencies, which provide investors with an indication of the creditworthiness of the issuer.
- Infrastructure Debt Funds (IDFs): Infrastructure Debt Funds (IDFs) are debt funds that invest in debt securities issued by infrastructure companies. These funds provide investors with an opportunity to invest in the infrastructure sector, which is considered to be a high-growth sector.
Here are some examples of companies listed on the corporate debt market in India along with their market value as of April 2023:
Company Name | Market Value (in INR crore) |
Reliance Industries Ltd. | 15,00,000+ |
Housing Development Finance Corporation Ltd. | 4,00,000+ |
Indian Railway Finance Corporation Ltd. | 2,50,000+ |
Tata Steel Ltd. | 1,50,000+ |
National Highways Authority of India | 1,00,000+ |
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. | 1,00,000+ |
Power Finance Corporation Ltd. | 70,000+ |
NTPC Ltd. | 60,000+ |
Rural Electrification Corporation Ltd. | 50,000+ |
State Bank of India | 40,000+ |