WHAT ARE TREASURY BILLS?

Treasury bills, often referred to as T-bills, are a type of short-term debt instrument issued by the government to raise funds. They are considered one of the safest and most straightforward investments available to individuals and institutions.

In simple terms, think of a T-bill as a loan that you give to the government. When you buy a T-bill, you are lending money to the government for a specified period, typically ranging from a few days to one year. In return for lending them money, the government promises to pay you back the full amount of your investment when the T-bill matures, along with some additional money, which represents the interest you earn on the loan.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

You lend money to the government: When you purchase a T-bill, you are effectively lending money to the government to finance its operations or fund various projects.

T-bill duration: T-bills have short durations, meaning they mature relatively quickly compared to other investments. They can range from a few days to one year. For example, you might invest in a T-bill that matures in three months.

Purchase price and face value: T-bills are typically sold at a discount from their face value, which is the amount that the government promises to pay back at maturity. For instance, you might buy a T-bill with a face value of $1,000 for $950. This means you are essentially paying $950 to the government for the T-bill.

Maturity and repayment: At the end of the T-bill’s duration, it reaches its maturity date. This is when the government returns the full face value of the T-bill to you, which in this case would be $1,000. The difference between the face value and the discounted purchase price represents the interest you earned on the loan.

Earning interest: While T-bills don’t pay interest in regular installments like a traditional loan, the difference between the purchase price and the face value effectively acts as the interest payment. In this example, you earned $50 ($1,000 — $950) over the course of the T-bill’s duration.

The appeal of T-bills lies in their low risk. Since they are backed by the government, the chance of default is considered extremely low. They are often used by investors as a way to preserve capital and seek a modest return without taking on significant risk.

T-bills are typically sold in auctions, and you can participate as an individual or through financial institutions. They are a popular investment option for those seeking stability and liquidity, as they are easily bought and sold in the secondary market.

It’s important to note that while T-bills are considered safe investments, they generally offer lower returns compared to riskier assets like stocks or corporate bonds. They are commonly used as a part of a diversified investment portfolio or as a temporary place to park funds until other investment opportunities arise.

In summary, Treasury bills are a straightforward and secure form of investment where you lend money to the government for a specified period. At maturity, the government repays you the full amount of your investment, and the difference between the purchase price and the face value represents the interest you earned.