Bonds with embedded options are a subset of traditional fixed income instruments in which an option has the potential to influence the timing and amount of a security’s cash flows and the security’s valuation. The term embedded signifies that the option and the bond are inseparable. Unlike a warrant, which typically can be detached and traded independently of its underlying instrument, an embedded option cannot be split from the bond to create two distinct, investable assets—the bond and the option. The inseparability of the bond and option changes the risk-return profile for both issuers and investors alike, and therefore renders traditional bond metrics, such as yield-to-maturity, ineffective. This chapter explores the most common bonds with embedded options, which are callable, puttable, and convertible bonds, in addition to discussing some nontraditional embedded option bond structures including contingent convertibles, extendable bonds, combinations, and knock-in and knock-out options.
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