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Buy corporate, Treasury, and municipal bonds on the investing platform that brings fixed income into the 21st century.

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Find your yield Easily navigate thousands of corporate and Treasury bonds to meet your investment goals.

Access detailed bond analysis Evaluate performance potential and risk impact to make informed investment decisions.

Diversify your portfolio Manage fixed-income strategies within the broader context of your multi-asset portfolio.

Easily access
thousands
of different bonds

Corporate bonds Lend money to the companies you believe in with corporate bonds, which typically offer higher interest rates in return for taking on additional risk. Explore corporate bonds
Treasury bonds Support public spending with Treasury bonds, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the US government and may offer tax advantages, too. Explore Treasury bonds
Municipal bonds Coming Soon Help state and local governments raise capital with municipal bonds, or “munis,” offering tax-free income and a way to support community development.
We took everything you thought you knew about fixed income.
And fixed it.

The new standard for bond search

The new standard for bond search

Our intuitive filters let you build a bond search from scratch and zero in on the exact kinds of investments you're looking for. If you’re not sure where to start, you can easily explore based on today's highest yielding, highest coupon, shortest term, or most popular bonds in just one click.

Any bond question, answered by AI

Any bond question, answered by AI

Now, you can ask Alpha, our proprietary layer of artificial intelligence, to help narrow your bond search. Share specific yield, maturity, or rating requirements, or let Alpha walk you through a series of questions to help you find the bonds that align with your strategy.

Bond and company data in one place. Duh.

Bond and company data in one place. Duh.

Context is crucial. That's why we've enriched every corporate bond page with key financial metrics—like free cash flow and debt-to-equity ratio—to help you evaluate the issuer's business health. It might sound obvious, but this isn't the norm in fixed-income investing.

Enjoy tax advantages with government bonds

Treasury bonds

Interest earned from Treasury bonds is taxed at the federal level, but is exempt from both state and local taxes.

Municipal bonds
Coming soon

Usually exempt from federal taxes and exempt from state taxes if bought in the state where you file taxes.
Bonds More

Bring fixed income into the fold

We're bringing bond investing into the 21st century and making it as straightforward as investing in stocks, ETFs, and crypto. If you want to diversify your portfolio and unlock a new income stream, you've come to the right place.
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Have questions? Find answers.

Why do companies issue corporate bonds?

Companies issue corporate bonds to raise capital for various purposes, such as funding expansion, investing in new projects, or refinancing debt. Unlike selling company shares, issuing bonds allows them to secure funds without diluting ownership or ceding control. Bondholders receive periodic interest payments and the promise of repayment at maturity. Corporate bonds also offer tax advantages for companies compared to other forms of financing. Investors, in turn, seek to receive a steady income stream and a relatively secure investment, as bonds are backed by the company’s assets and repayment promise.

How often do companies issue new corporate bonds?

Companies issue new corporate bonds as needed to raise capital for specific projects, debt refinancing, or other financial requirements. It can range from several times a year to less often, depending on the company’s financial strategies and market conditions. Factors such as interest rates, economic conditions, and the company’s financial health influence when and how often they issue bonds.

What is the difference between buying a corporate bond vs. buying stock in the same company?

When you buy a corporate bond, you’re lending money to the company and become a creditor. In return, you receive regular interest payments and the promise of repayment at maturity, making it a relatively low-risk investment, though all investments involve risk. On the other hand, buying company stock means you own a portion of the company, which comes with the potential for capital gains but also greater risk as stock prices can fluctuate significantly. Investors turn to corporate bonds when seeking out predictable income, and stocks for ownership and potential for higher returns, which comes with greater volatility.

Why do some investors use bonds within their portfolio strategies?

Investors use bonds in their portfolio strategies for diversification, income, and risk management. Bonds provide a stable source of income through periodic interest payments. They can also act as a counterbalance to the volatility of stocks, enhancing portfolio stability. Diversifying with bonds can reduce overall risk as they often move differently than stocks in response to economic conditions. Additionally, bonds are crucial for preserving capital and meeting financial goals, making them a valuable component of a well-rounded investment portfolio. Retail investors use bonds as a way to balance the potential for higher returns from stocks while maintaining a safety net of steady income and reduced risk.

What is the relationship between bond prices and bond yields?

Bond prices and bond yields have an inverse relationship. When bond prices rise, bond yields fall, and vice versa. This inverse relationship is due to the fixed-interest payments bonds provide. If you buy a bond with a fixed coupon rate, and market interest rates drop, your bond becomes more attractive to investors, causing its price to rise. On the other hand, if market rates rise, your fixed-rate bond’s interest payments become less competitive, resulting in a lower price. This dynamic is crucial for investors, as it impacts the value of their bond holdings and the attractiveness of new bond purchases in changing interest rate environments.

What is the yield curve and what does it signal about the bond market overall?

The yield curve is a graphical representation of interest rates for bonds with different maturities. It typically slopes upward, with short-term rates lower than long-term rates. The shape of the yield curve conveys vital information about the bond market and the economy. A normal yield curve, with the long end showing higher yields, suggests a healthy economy. An inverted curve, with short-term rates higher than long-term rates, can indicate economic uncertainty or potential recession. A flat curve may signal an economic transition.

What are bond ratings and why do they matter?

Bond ratings are assessments of a bond’s creditworthiness and risk issued by rating agencies like Moody’s and S&P, and they can help investors gauge the safety and reliability of a bond investment. Ratings range from high (e.g., AAA) for the lowest risk to lower ratings (e.g., BB or below) indicating higher risk. Investors use these ratings to make informed decisions, balancing risk and return. Lower-rated bonds offer higher potential returns but come with increased risk, including the possibility of default. Bond ratings provide a valuable reference point for investors to align their risk tolerance and investment goals with the appropriate bonds in their portfolios.

What is the difference between bonds with fixed-rate corporate bonds vs. variable-rate corporate bonds?

Fixed-rate bonds offer a set interest rate throughout the bond’s term, providing predictability but potentially lower returns if market rates rise. In contrast, variable-rate bonds have interest rates that adjust periodically. This adjustment makes them more responsive to changing market rates, offering the potential for higher returns if rates increase. Investors choosing between them should consider their risk tolerance and the prevailing interest rate environment, as fixed-rate bonds provide stability, while variable-rate bonds offer flexibility and the chance for greater income in rising-rate environments.

What is the difference between Treasury bonds and Treasury bills?

The key difference between Treasury bonds and Treasury bills is their maturity. Treasury bonds have longer maturities, typically ranging from 10 to 30 years, making them ideal for long-term investors seeking a steady income stream and a safe haven for capital. In contrast, Treasury bills, often referred to as T-bills, have short-term maturities, typically less than one year, making them a preferred choice for investors looking for a secure, short-term parking place for their money. Both are considered extremely low-risk as they are backed by the full faith and credit of U.S. government.

What happens if you sell a bond before its maturity date?

If you sell a bond before its maturity date, you’ll encounter the bond’s market price, which may be higher or lower than its face value. The price fluctuates due to changes in interest rates, credit risk, and market demand. Selling a bond before maturity can result in capital gains if you sell it at a price higher than you paid, or capital losses if you sell it for less. It provides flexibility but also exposes you to potential gains or losses, influenced by the prevailing interest rate environment and the bond’s creditworthiness. Consider these factors when deciding to sell a bond before its maturity.

How are bond yields taxed?

The tax implications of bond yields vary across different types of bonds:

  • Corporate Bonds: Interest income from corporate bonds is subject to federal and often state income taxes, impacting the after-tax yield. Higher-income individuals may face higher tax rates.
  • Treasury Bonds: Interest from U.S. Treasury bonds is taxable at the federal level but exempt from state and local taxes. This tax advantage can enhance the after-tax return for investors.
  • Municipal Bonds: Interest from municipal bonds is typically exempt from federal taxes and, if the bond is issued in your state, may also be exempt from state and local taxes, offering tax-efficient income, especially for investors in high tax brackets and in-state residents.

Understanding these tax implications is essential for making informed investment decisions aligned with your tax situation and financial goals.

Have additional questions about Bonds on Public?

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* Alpha is an experiment brought to you by Public Holdings, Inc. (“Public”). Alpha is an artificial intelligence investment exploration tool powered by GPT-4, a generative large language model offered by OpenAI. Given that Alpha is an experimental technology, it may sometimes give inaccurate or inappropriate information. Any output generated by Alpha is not and should not be construed as investment research, investment advice, or a recommendation to buy or sell a security, nor should any output serve as the basis for any investment decisions. Alpha output is provided “as is” and Public makes no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy, completeness, quality, timeliness, or any other characteristic of Alpha output. We strongly recommend that you independently evaluate and verify the accuracy of any Alpha output for your use case. US members only. Additional information and disclosures at public.com/alpha

** Open to the Public Investing, Inc. does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your legal, tax, or financial advisors before making any financial decisions.