Akademik

A type of debt security that does not pay periodic interest. Zero coupon securities are bought and sold at prices that are less than the par value of the securities. The discount, or difference between the principal paid to purchase the security and the principal returned at maturity, constitutes the investor's return. American Banker Glossary

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See deep discount bonds. Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein financial glossary

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Bonds issued at a deep discount which do not receive any income until they mature. Financial Services Glossary

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Zeros are securities that do not pay interest during their terms but are sold at a discount from their face value. A zero coupon bond generally increases in value as it approaches maturity, and the return comes solely from its appreciation. The dollar amount difference between the purchase price and the maturity value represents the yield or accretion value. Maturities range from 1 to 30 years. NYSE Euronext Glossary

   A bond that pays no coupon but is issued at a deep discount to face value. The difference between the issue and redemption prices creates a hefty capital gain that boosts the effective yield close to market levels. As it does not pay a coupon, investors do not run the risk of reinvesting interest paid at a lower rate if interest rates fall during the life of the bond. There may also be tax advantages to an investor from taking a one-off capital gain rather than a stream of income from coupon payments.

zero coupon bond UK US noun [C]

► (also zero) FINANCE a type of bond that does not pay interest, but that you buy for less than its face value , so that you make a profit when it is paid back: »

Zero coupon bonds are more sensitive to interest rate changes than bonds that pay interest periodically.

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Most zeros are still offering returns of over 8%.