Corporate bonds are debt securities issued by a corporation in order to raise money to grow the business, pay bills, make capital improvements, make acquisitions, and for other business needs.

Bonds are sold to investors and the company gets the capital it needs and in return, the investor is paid a pre-established number of interest payments at either a fixed or variable interest rate. When the bond expires, or “reaches maturity,” the payments cease and the original investment is returned.

The backing for the bond is generally the ability of the company to repay, which depends on its prospects for future revenues and profitability. In some cases, the company’s physical assets may be used as collateral.