Sovereign Gold Bond: Every Detail that You Need to Invest on Altifi
Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) are a potentially remunerative investment option, especially within the realm of bonds. Investors looking for a secure investment option with relatively less susceptibility to market fluctuations, particularly keep SGBs as an option. If you’ve been looking to enter the SGB space, Altifi welcomes you! However, before you begin your investment journey, here’s some essential information you should know before you invest in SGBs.
What are SGBs – How SGBs Work?
SGBs are government securities that RBI issues on the behalf of the Government of India. These bonds are denominated in grams of gold and serve as substitutes for holding physical gold. SGBs require investors to pay the issue price in cash. Once the bond matures, investors can redeem the bonds in cash.
SGBs provide security for the quantity of gold the investor pays for. It is because the investor gets the market price of gold on redemption. Accordingly, SGBs work as better alternatives to holding physical gold. While eliminating physical storage risk, investors get an assurance of the market value of gold at the time of maturity and the periodic interest. Now, let’s see how SGBs work.
RBI issues SGBs in the denomination of one gram of gold. It means each bond will represent the price of one gram of gold. However, it must be noted that an increase or decrease in the gold price affects the bond’s value.
Further, investors receive an interest of 2.50% per annum. That particularly makes SGBs a more attractive investment than physical gold. These bonds have a lock-in period of eight years. However, the investor can exit the bond only after five years.
The Purpose of Introducing SGBs
With already so many existing investment options, why did the Indian government introduce SGBs? SGBs belong to the debt fund category. While reducing the demand for real gold they can also track its imports and exports. Besides, SGBs carry a certain level of transparency given they are under the RBI’s purview.
SGB works potentially well for people looking for gold as an investment. Since an SGB doesn’t involve holding physical gold and has full support from the government, investors remain fearless about theft, holding charges or default.
Additionally, the expense of buying or selling these gold bonds is minimal compared to physical gold. Thus, if an investor has a flair for gold investment, they may consider investing in SGBs.
Minimum and Maximum Investment Limit
As stated earlier, SGBs are issued in denominations of one gram of gold and multiples. The minimum investment required is one gram and the maximum limit of subscription of 4 kg for individual investors, 4 kg for Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) and 20 kg for trusts and similar organisations is notified by the government per FY.
Who Can Invest in SGBs?
SGBs can be held by HUFs, trusts, universities, charitable institutions or an Indian resident. The investor can be an individual or invest on behalf of a minor child or jointly with another qualified investor. Furthermore, investors can hold the bonds until redemption or maturity term even if their residential status changes from resident to non-resident after investment.
Features of SGBs
SGBs have some unique features that make them a distinct investment avenue. Let’s look at some of their essential features.
RBI issues SGBs on behalf of the Government of India. Hence, SGBs are considered more secure than many other bond forms or types.
SGBs are denominated in gold grams. Hence, investors can invest in gold without physically holding it. Investors receive a fixed interest rate semi-annually. The government decides the interest rate, usually lower than physical gold or gold ETFs.
The typical tenure of an SGB is eight years. However, investors can exist after the fifth year in the interest payment dates.
- RBI issues SGBs periodically in tranches that it announces. Investors can subscribe to them during the subscription period.
- Stock exchanges list SGBs. Hence, these bonds offer liquidity for investors who intend to exit before maturity.
- While an investor can redeem the investment after the lock-in of five years on the interest payment dates, the redemption price depends on the gold’s market price prevalent at that time.
- SGB capital gains are exempt from tax but not the interest income that is taxable per the investor’s applicable income tax slab.
With the above unique features, SGBs can prove an advantageous investment for many, especially those with a preference for gold investments. However, in what ways can SGBs benefit an investor?
Why Invest in SGBs?
SGB can prove a prudent investment choice for gold investments. Here are some advantages that make them a secure and potentially lucrative investment.
- If an investor wants to buy gold only to invest, SGBs serve as a great choice. They protect the gold quality and secure investors against risk.
- In the case of physical gold, investors have to protect the gold in a vault or so. However, with SGBs, the investor doesn’t have to rent a vault or worry about theft. The gold purchase stays secured in a digital form in the investor’s Demat account.
- The 2.5 per cent interest that SGBs offer makes them more attractive. Investors earn a passive income on their gold, credited to their accounts.
- Although the interest earned is taxable. The capital gain is fully tax-exempt. That can refer to a significant saving for investors.
The above advantages may drive investors closer to SGBs. However, the key to making potentially successful SGB investments also involves knowing their disadvantages or limitations. Let’s look at some common ones.
Disadvantages or Limitations of SGBs
While emphasizing the benefits, one shouldn’t or cannot ignore the disadvantages of SGBs. Here are some.
- SGBs often have a lock-in period of five years. It means the money stays locked or cannot be withdrawn in emergencies. Such limited liquidity can prove a disadvantage in adverse situations that require money to address them.
- SGBs offer a fixed interest at the time of purchase. While that’s good news in a way, it is bad in another. How? Later, a rise in the market interest rate can refer to a missed opportunity to earn higher returns.
- Despite being backed by the government, the market price of SGBs can still vary depending on changes in the gold prices and market sentiments. Hence, if an investor decides to sell the bond before maturity, they may incur a loss if the market price is lower than the purchase price.
- SGBs don’t involve buying or possessing physical gold. Thus, for investors who prefer holding physical gold, SGBs may not prove as lucrative.
- Although capital gains are exempt from tax, SGBs are still subject to wealth tax and capital gains tax if an investor sells them in the secondary market before maturity.
- SGBs are issued in tranches with limited subscription periods. Hence, investors have to stay updated about the subscription window to avoid missing it. If missed, they may have to wait for the next tranche. Losing that may refer to missing out on a conducive market condition.
Exiting the Investment
If an investor wants to redeem the investment prematurely, they can approach the concerned authority like the bank, post office or investment platform thirty days before the coupon payment date. After that, the investor will receive the proceeds in their bank account while applying for the bond.
Conclusion
The above insights should help you make a preliminary decision or consideration. However, we recommend consulting an investment expert and discussing the suitability of SGBs in your case to make an informed investment decision. As for the platform facilitating SGB, you’ve may choose Altifi. Sign up with us today and check out current SGB listings.
Disclaimer: The contents of this article should not be construed as tax or financial advice. Readers should seek advice from their tax or financial advisor before making any investment decision.