Overhanging bonds

Overhanging bonds

An overhang refers to the possible dilution of the value of equity investments due to stock options that are about to be converted to equity shares. The dilution impacts earnings per share and return on investment per share. Overhanging bonds are a market phenomenon that arise when many bonds from a single issuer go unsold or untraded. Overhanging bonds are relevant to market participants because they affect bond prices, liquidity, and trading dynamics. Overhanging bonds can provide insights into market mood and prospective investment opportunities if monitored and analysed. 

What are overhanging bonds? 

An overhanging bond is a market situation in which a substantial supply of bonds from a single issuer remain unsold or untraded. This excess supply puts downward pressure on bond prices while raising bond yields.  

Overhanging bonds usually emerge when market demand is insufficient to absorb the supply, which can be caused by changes in investor sentiment, issuer-specific concerns, or market conditions. Investors watch overhanging bonds because they can affect the pricing and liquidity of existing bonds in the market. Market participants must consider overhanging bonds when evaluating investment opportunities and controlling risk. 

Understanding overhanging bonds 

Overhanging bonds are bonds that stay unsold or untraded in the bond market due to a massive supply of bonds from a given issuer. The presence of overhanging bonds puts downward pressure on bond prices and upward pressure on bond yields because investors may be hesitant to purchase the surplus supply of bonds, resulting in lower prices to entice purchasers.  

The excess supply also impacts bond liquidity and trading activity. Market participants widely monitor overhanging bonds because they might provide insights into market mood and affect investing plans. The overhanging bond issue can be often resolved by restoring investor confidence or changing market circumstances to absorb excess supply. 

How do we have overhanging bonds? 

Overhanging bonds are the result of an imbalance in the bond market’s supply and demand. A substantial quantity of unsold or untraded bonds generates a market overhang. Changes in investor mood, issuer-specific concerns, or market conditions can all contribute to this surplus supply.  

Bond prices are pushed lower by overhanging bonds, while bond yields are pushed upward because investors may be hesitant to acquire the surplus supply of bonds, causing prices to fall and yields to rise to entice buyers.  

Overhanging bonds can impact the pricing and liquidity of existing market bonds. Investors frequently monitor overhanging bonds because they can provide insights into market conditions and impact investment decisions. 

How do we find if there are overhanging bonds? 

The following steps should be followed to calculate if there are overhanging bonds: 

  • Begin by determining the total number of bonds issued by the specified issuer. This information is typically provided in the bond prospectus or financial statements. 
  • Determine the number of bonds that have previously been sold and are actively trading in the market. This information can be collected through market data sources or financial reports. 
  • Subtract the entire supply of bonds from the total supply of outstanding bonds. The outcome will offer you the number of bonds regarded as overhanging, i.e. the surplus supply. 

Example of overhanging bond 

Company XYZ intends to issue 10,000 bonds with a face value of US$1,000 each, for a total supply of US$ 10,000,000 in bonds. However, due to market conditions, investor mood, or issuer-specific issues, only 6,000 bonds have been sold and are actively trading in the market. 

Overhanging bond = Total supply of bonds – outstanding = 10,000 – 6,000 

Overhanging bond = 4,000 bonds 

In this situation, there are 4,000 overhanging bonds, which reflect the surplus supply of bonds that have yet to be sold or traded in the market. This excess supply may put downward pressure on bond prices and upward pressure on bond yields, altering the pricing and liquidity of existing bonds. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Stock overhang is the term used to describe an oversupply of a specific stock on the market, which pushes its price lower. It occurs when a few stockholders own a significant block of stock shares, increasing the likelihood of a price drop if they sell them all at once.  

This may occur for various reasons, including when a major institutional investor decides to sell a sizable amount of his holdings or when a business sells new shares through a secondary offering.  

Due to the imbalance between supply and demand, the stock overhang can negatively affect the stock’s price performance. Investors carefully watch for a stock overhang since it might indicate possible selling pressure and affect their investing choices. 

A bearish overhang in the financial markets refers to a situation in which there is a negative feeling or anticipation regarding the future direction of a certain asset or market. It is marked by an excess supply of sellers eager to sell their assets at cheaper prices, causing the price to fall. Poor economic data, geopolitical conflicts, or unfavourable news about a certain firm or industry can all contribute to this gloomy feeling. A negative overhang can lead to a lengthy period of dropping prices, making it difficult for investors wanting to acquire or keep assets in such a market. 

Risk overhang in insurance refers to situations where an insurer’s continued exposure to prior transactions limits its current activities. It is typically when an insurance company must decline lucrative prospects because it cannot accept any additional risk. 

This risk overhang can be caused by various circumstances, including changes in policy terms and conditions, market conditions or even unforeseeable occurrences that may increase claims. Insurers must cautiously monitor risk overhang to maintain appropriate reserves and reinsurance coverage for future claims. Failure to do so may result in the insurance company’s financial instability and potential bankruptcy. 

Some factors to examine while considering overhanging bonds include the issuer’s creditworthiness, current interest rates, maturity date, call provisions, bond rating, liquidity, market conditions, inflation expectations, and any unique features or covenants associated with the bond. 

Overhang is calculated by dividing the total amount of outstanding stock by the number of present and future option offerings.  

    Read the Latest Market Journal

    How to select a unit trust

    Published on Apr 25, 2024 54 

    Navigating the vast world of unit trusts can be daunting. With nearly 2000 funds available...

    Predicting Trend Reversals with Candlestick Patterns for Beginners

    Published on Apr 24, 2024 63 

    Candlestick patterns are used to predict the future direction of price movements as they contain...

    Introduction to unit trust

    Published on Apr 23, 2024 48 

    In the diverse and complex world of investing, unit trusts stand out as a popular...

    Back in Business: The Return of IPOs & Top Traded Counters in March 2024

    Published on Apr 17, 2024 742 

    Start trading on POEMS! Open a free account here! At a glance: Major indices continue...

    Weekly Updates 15/4/24 – 19/4/24

    Published on Apr 15, 2024 76 

    This weekly update is designed to help you stay informed and relate economic and company...

    From $50 to $100: Unveiling the Impact of Inflation

    Published on Apr 12, 2024 165 

    In recent years, inflation has become a hot topic, evoking strong emotions as the cost...

    Japan’s Economic Resurgence: Unveiling the Tailwinds Behind Nikkei 225’s Record Leap

    Published on Apr 11, 2024 91 

    Source: eSignal, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. In the heart of Japan’s economic landscape, the Nikkei 225...

    Weekly Updates 8/4/24 – 12/4/24

    Published on Apr 8, 2024 112 

      This weekly update is designed to help you stay informed and relate economic and...

    Contact us to Open an Account

    Need Assistance? Share your Details and we’ll get back to you

    IMPORTANT INFORMATION

    This material is provided by Phillip Capital Management (S) Ltd (“PCM”) for general information only and does not constitute a recommendation, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of any offer to invest in any of the exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) or the unit trust (“Products”) mentioned herein. It does not have any regard to your specific investment objectives, financial situation and any of your particular needs. You should read the Prospectus and the accompanying Product Highlights Sheet (“PHS”) for key features, key risks and other important information of the Products and obtain advice from a financial adviser (“FA“) pursuant to a separate engagement before making a commitment to invest in the Products. In the event that you choose not to obtain advice from a FA, you should assess whether the Products are suitable for you before proceeding to invest. A copy of the Prospectus and PHS are available from PCM, any of its Participating Dealers (“PDs“) for the ETF, or any of its authorised distributors for the unit trust managed by PCM.  

    An ETF is not like a typical unit trust as the units of the ETF (the “Units“) are to be listed and traded like any share on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (“SGX-ST”). Listing on the SGX-ST does not guarantee a liquid market for the Units which may be traded at prices above or below its NAV or may be suspended or delisted. Investors may buy or sell the Units on SGX-ST when it is listed. Investors cannot create or redeem Units directly with PCM and have no rights to request PCM to redeem or purchase their Units. Creation and redemption of Units are through PDs if investors are clients of the PDs, who have no obligation to agree to create or redeem Units on behalf of any investor and may impose terms and conditions in connection with such creation or redemption orders. Please refer to the Prospectus of the ETF for more details.  

    Investments are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The purchase of a unit in a fund is not the same as placing your money on deposit with a bank or deposit-taking company. There is no guarantee as to the amount of capital invested or return received. The value of the units and the income accruing to the units may fall or rise. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of the future or likely performance of the Products. There can be no assurance that investment objectives will be achieved.  

    Where applicable, fund(s) may invest in financial derivatives and/or participate in securities lending and repurchase transactions for the purpose of hedging and/or efficient portfolio management, subject to the relevant regulatory requirements. PCM reserves the discretion to determine if currency exposure should be hedged actively, passively or not at all, in the best interest of the Products.  

    The regular dividend distributions, out of either income and/or capital, are not guaranteed and subject to PCM’s discretion. Past payout yields and payments do not represent future payout yields and payments. Such dividend distributions will reduce the available capital for reinvestment and may result in an immediate decrease in the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Products. Please refer to <www.phillipfunds.com> for more information in relation to the dividend distributions.  

    The information provided herein may be obtained or compiled from public and/or third party sources that PCM has no reason to believe are unreliable. Any opinion or view herein is an expression of belief of the individual author or the indicated source (as applicable) only. PCM makes no representation or warranty that such information is accurate, complete, verified or should be relied upon as such. The information does not constitute, and should not be used as a substitute for tax, legal or investment advice.  

    The information herein are not for any person in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or availability for use would contravene any applicable law or regulation or would subject PCM to any registration or licensing requirement in such jurisdiction or country. The Products is not offered to U.S. Persons. PhillipCapital Group of Companies, including PCM, their affiliates and/or their officers, directors and/or employees may own or have positions in the Products. Any member of the PhillipCapital Group of Companies may have acted upon or used the information, analyses and opinions herein before they have been published. 

    This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.  

     

    Phillip Capital Management (S) Ltd (Co. Reg. No. 199905233W)  
    250 North Bridge Road #06-00, Raffles City Tower ,Singapore 179101 
    Tel: (65) 6230 8133 Fax: (65) 65383066 www.phillipfunds.com