Topic: How To Invest

Q: Dear Pat: Can you please explain how real return bonds work? Also, are they worth investing in, especially the iShares Canadian Real Return Bond Index ETF and the iShares Floating Rate Index ETF? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

A: Real-return bonds pay you a rate of return that’s adjusted for inflation. Here’s how they work: When a real-return bond is issued, the level of the consumer price index (CPI) on that date is applied to the bond. After that, both the principal and interest payments are adjusted every six months, upwards or downwards from that base level, to compensate for a rise or fall in the CPI. Government of Canada real-return bonds pay interest semi-annually, on June 1 and December 1. Here’s an example: The Bank of Canada issues $400 million of 30-year bonds maturing on December 1, 2048. The bonds have a coupon, or interest rate, of 2%. If after six months from the date of issue, the new CPI level is, say, 1% above the level of the CPI on the issue date, then each $1,000 of bond principal is adjusted to $1,010 of bond principal ($1,000 x 1.01). The semi-annual interest payment is then $10.10 ($1,010 x 2% / 2). If after…