14 Jun
1. What is a Bond Fund?
A Bond Fund is a type of Collective Investment Scheme that pools funds from multiple investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of bonds, both treasury and corporate bonds.
The core objective is to provide regular income over a longer duration. Investors hold units in the fund in proportion to their investment and earn returns based on the performance of the underlying bond portfolio.
Unlike Money Market Funds (MMFs), which focus on short-term debt instruments like Treasury bills, fixed deposits and commercial paper, Bond Funds generally invest in longer-term fixed-income instruments, offering higher potential returns with moderate risk.
2. Investment Objectives
- Primary Goal: To ensure stable income and a predictable stream over a longer investment horizon.
- Suitable for investors seeking a more income-focused alternative to Money Market Funds while still maintaining a moderate risk profile.
3. Key Features
| Feature | Description |
| Assets | Treasury Bonds and Corporate Bonds |
| Income | Earned through interest payments and potential capital gains |
| Distributions | Paid out semi-annually (every 6 months) |
| Liquidity | Units can be redeemed with short notice, typically within 2 – 4 days. |
| Minimum Investment | Varies, typically starting from KES 1,000 |
| Management Fees | Generally ranges between 1% and 2% per annum, deducted from fund assets |
4. Returns
- Long Term Net Returns: Range between 12% – 14% per annum, depending on factors such as:
- Duration of the bonds in the portfolio
- Market interest rate trends
- Credit quality of bonds in the portfolio
- Fund manager expertise
5. Risk Profile
Bond Funds are considered lower risk than equity funds but carry more risk than Money Market Funds. Key risks include:
| Risk Type | Description |
| Interest Rate Risk | Bond prices drop when interest rates rise. Bond funds with longer-term bonds are more sensitive. This is mitigated by forming adequate capital markets expectations. |
| Credit Risk | Some corporate bonds may default. Fund managers mitigate this by selecting high-credit issuers. |
6. Regulatory Oversight
Bond Funds in Kenya are regulated under the Capital Markets Act, and supervised by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA).
Key regulatory requirements:
- Separation of roles: Trustee, Custodian, Fund Manager and Auditor must each be independently licensed.
- Transparency: Mandatory publication of fact sheets and audited annual reports.
- Disclosure: Regular updates on fund performance and holdings.
7. Who Should Invest?
Bond Funds are ideal for:
- Conservative investors prioritizing income.
- Pensioners or retirees needing a steady cash flow.
- Institutions seeking to balance equity-heavy portfolios.
- Medium-term savers with a 5+ years investment horizon.
8. Taxation
- Interest income is typically subject to a 15% withholding tax.
- Capital gains from Bond Funds are not separately taxed for individual investors.
Final Thoughts
Bond Funds in Kenya provide an accessible, professionally managed, and moderately-risk investment vehicle. They are a strategic option for those seeking diversification, regular income and protection from market volatility especially during periods of economic uncertainty.
Although Money Market Funds (MMFs) remain a popular low-risk investment, Bond Funds serve as a logical step up for investors looking to diversify their portfolios, lengthen their investments and enhance their returns without taking on significant additional risk.
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