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Bond investing can be a more complicated ordeal than most investors assume. A wide variety of factors can affect bond performance, such as interest rates, market sentiment, inflation, etc.
These factors can put investors in a precarious situation, as changing market conditions can interfere with their investment plans and performance expectations.
To give investors some degree of safety, the U.S Department of Treasury offers TIPS, which are a special subset of fixed-income securities.
TIPS, or Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, are a type of government bonds designed to protect investors from inflation by adjusting the bond's principal value and interest payments based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation.
TIPS are typically long-term investments with maturities of at least 5 years and give investors the ability to protect their purchasing power over that period, in exchange for a lower annual interest rate when compared to standard government and corporate bonds.
If you are a beginner investor and would like to know more about what TIPS are and how they work, this Investfox guide is for you.
Investing in TIPS comes with a few key differences from traditional bonds. This includes perks, as well as limitations.
For example, TIPS are tax-advantaged and income taxes are not applicable until the TIPS have matured, or have been sold by the investor.
Investors can review the performance history of TIPS using the S&P U.S TIPS Index.
The U.S Department of Treasury issued TIPS through periodic auctions, usually with maturities of 5, 10, or 30 years. When an investor buys a TIPS bond, they have the guarantee from the government that the principal amount of the bond will not be eroded by inflation over the course of its lifetime.
This ensures that the purchasing power of the principal investment stays intact. However, this comes with a tradeoff of lower interest rates.
When the TIPS mature, if the principal is higher than the original amount, investors receive the increased amount. If the principal is equal to or lower than the original amount, investors receive the original amount.
As already mentioned, the interest paid on TIPS is typically lower than other treasury bonds. The interest payments on TIPS are calculated based on the inflation-adjusted principal.
The formula used to calculate the interest payments is:
Interest Payment = (Adjusted Principal) x (Fixed Coupon Rate) / 2
When TIPS are initially issued, they come with a fixed coupon rate. This rate remains constant throughout the life of the bond and is used to calculate the semi-annual interest payments. Interest on TIPS is paid once every six months.
The principal value of TIPS adjusts with changes in the CPI. The principal is adjusted upward if there is inflation and downward if there is deflation.
This adjustment ensures that the bond's real (inflation-adjusted) value remains relatively constant. TIPS have a minimum purchase price of $100 and can be bought using the TreasuryDirect platform of the U.S Department of Treasury.
While TIPS pay interest income, investors do not pay taxes on the inflation-adjusted portion of the interest until they sell the TIPS or they mature.
This feature is known as "phantom income" and can reduce the tax burden for TIPS investors.
TIPS investments come with their fair share of advantages and drawbacks and considering them is important for long-term investors to decide whether investing in TIPS is the right course of action for their financial objectives.
Our partner, XM, lets you access a free demo account to apply your knowledge.
No hidden costs, no tricks.
TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities) function in the bond market by providing investors protection against inflation. They adjust their principal and interest payments based on changes in the Consumer Price Index, ensuring that investors' returns keep pace with inflation.
TIPS can be good investments for those seeking inflation protection and safety, especially during periods of rising prices. However, their lower nominal yields may make them less attractive to investors seeking higher current income.
Yes, TIPS do pay interest. They offer semi-annual interest payments to investors, with the interest rate determined at the time of issuance. These payments are calculated based on the inflation-adjusted principal value of the TIPS.