Fixed-Income Security (FIS) Definition

Written by True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

Reviewed by Editorial Team

Updated on March 11, 2023

Fixed-Income Security (FIS) Definition

A fixed-income security is an investment with a fixed rate of return that is paid back at specific times throughout a given year.

The most popular use of a fixed income security is in the form of a bond, but other uses of a fixed income security also exist in the forms of CD's, money markets and preferred shares.

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Why Fixed-Income Securities?

Corporations and institutions of the government, in an effort to raise money for new projects or the maintenance of old ones will allow interested buyers to purchase bonds.

In other words, these large public entities by selling bonds, are asking individual private citizens to loan them small sums of money.

Promises of a Bond

When purchased, a bond comes with two promises.

The first is that the issuer of the bond will repay the interest on the loan at a fixed rate, at fixed times of year.

The second, is that after the bond has matured that the bond issuer will have repaid the amount of money originally invested by the purchaser of the bond.

Interest Rate on Bonds

The rate at which the interest is paid on a bond, varies from bond to bond. Bonds issued by large, stable corporations or government institutions typically have very low yields. But they make up for it, by being particularly reliable when it comes to paying interest and the matured principle.

The Purpose of Investing in Fixed-Income Security

From the investor's point of view, the purpose of investing in a fixed-income security is to diversify one's portfolio in a safe way.

Since fixed-income securities' rate of return are more stable than other investments, albeit with no potential for growth, investors will turn to securities during tough economic times or in an attempt to create steady income because the fixed rate of return set by large corporations or the government are so dependable.

Fixed-Income Security (FIS) FAQs

About the Author

True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

True Tamplin is a published author, public speaker, CEO of UpDigital, and founder of Finance Strategists.

True is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), author of The Handy Financial Ratios Guide, a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, contributes to his financial education site, Finance Strategists, and has spoken to various financial communities such as the CFA Institute, as well as university students like his Alma mater, Biola University, where he received a bachelor of science in business and data analytics.

To learn more about True, visit his personal website, view his author profile on Amazon, or check out his speaker profile on the CFA Institute website.

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