Tenor

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Definition of 'Tenor'

The term tenor is used in finance to describe the length of time until a debt instrument matures. It is typically expressed in years, but can also be expressed in months or days. The tenor of a debt instrument is important because it determines the interest rate that will be paid on the instrument.

For example, a bond with a tenor of 10 years will have a higher interest rate than a bond with a tenor of 5 years. This is because the longer the time until maturity, the greater the risk that the issuer will default on the bond.

The tenor of a debt instrument can also affect its liquidity. A bond with a longer tenor is less liquid than a bond with a shorter tenor. This is because it takes longer to sell a bond with a longer tenor, and there is a greater risk that the price of the bond will change during the sale process.

The tenor of a debt instrument is also important for investors who are looking for a specific investment horizon. For example, an investor who is looking for a short-term investment might choose a bond with a tenor of 1 year. An investor who is looking for a long-term investment might choose a bond with a tenor of 30 years.

In addition to the length of time until maturity, the term tenor can also refer to the frequency with which interest payments are made. For example, a bond with a tenor of 10 years and a semi-annual interest payment schedule will make interest payments every 6 months. A bond with a tenor of 10 years and an annual interest payment schedule will make interest payments once per year.

The term tenor is a important concept in finance. It is used to describe the length of time until a debt instrument matures, the frequency with which interest payments are made, and the liquidity of a debt instrument.

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