Foreign currency bonds. Functioning and structure of the instrument

Abstract

In the debt securities markets there are bonds that differ in their structure from straight bonds. They are an answer to changing economic conditions, the underlying cause of which are changes in interest rates and exchange rates. In the other case these are foreign currency bonds. These bonds, despite their unquestionable advantages in capital acquisition and investment, are characterized by high investment risk because, in comparison with straight bonds, there is an additional risk of changes in exchange rates. In order to cover such risk, investors have a number of instruments at their disposal; however, its reduction, with the retained advantages of classical foreign currency bonds, can also be achieved through another kind of bonds – dual currency bonds, including currency option ones. Pricing of these bonds is complicated because differences in yield curves in the countries of specific currencies as well as exchange rates should be taken into account. The importance of the bonds in question during particular periods of economic development will certainly be a function of exchange rate variability.