Eurobonds nowadays are intended as a way to tackle the eurozone debt crisis. The idea, advanced by the European Commission, seems to be of a certificates that will completely replace existing national bonds. Technically, a eurobond is a debt contract, which records the borrower’s obligation to pay interest at a given rate and the principal amount of the bond on specified dates.

The current eurobond issue has a specific structure and is defined in the EU Prospectus Directive (89/298) as transferable securities.



Although the distinction between Eurobonds, Foreign bonds and External bonds is less relevant than in the past, it is important to keep in mind that these are different classes of securities. As for Eurobonds, they can be classified in five types.

Trading

Eurobond is a tradable instrument: it is intended to be bought and sold during the period up to its maturity. It is usually launched through a public offering and is listed on a stock exchange.

Payments

It’s important to notice that there is no central register where holders of the issue are named. So Eurobond is in this sense a bearer instrument: interests are paid upon presentation of detachable coupons, while the principal amount is repaired on presentation of the Eurobond itself.

Listing

Although Eurobonds are listed in several stock exchanges, the London and Luxemburg stock exchanges are those most frequently used.

Taxation

Eurobonds are not subject to tax and largely free from government regulation.

Back to Homepage



Disclaimer