Being bullish on convertible bonds in 2013

Return rate may be as high as 6 percent in the first six months

The expected rebound of the Chinese securities markets in 2013 is likely to bring investment opportunities for convertible bonds, as economic growth may be at a faster rate compared with 2012, analysts said.

The Shanghai Convertible Bond Index has risen for eight consecutive weeks since Nov 19, 2012. During the week starting on Jan 6, the index was boosted by 0.48 percent, taking it to 284.63 at the close on Friday. Meanwhile, the Chinese stock benchmark index slipped 1.49 percent to 2243.

At the end of last year, the S&P China Convertible Bond Index, a benchmark indicator of the vitality of the nation's convertible bonds, showed an increase of 4.6 percent, the first gain in three years, following the 12.1 percent decline in 2011 and 3.9 percent fall in 2010.

By contrast, the government loan provided a return of 3.3 percent and the corporate bond brought a 7.3 percent gain to investors in 2012. In the meantime, shares included in the Shanghai Composite Index delivered a 5.8 percent return inclusive of dividends, according to Bloomberg News.

Convertible bonds can be converted into a predetermined amount of the company's equity at certain times during their life. Essentially it is a bond with a stock option.

Currently, convertible bonds issued by 15 companies are trading on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Another six companies are trading them on the Shenzhen securities market.

Investors are being advised to hold more convertible bonds than debenture bonds this year in their investment portfolios, according to Xu Xiaoqing, an analyst with the China International Capital Corp.

Xu predicted that in the first half of this year, the convertible bond return rate may increase to as high as 6 percent, as economic growth shows signs of a moderate rebound, with an expectation of increasing inflation pressure and relatively eased monetary policy, elements that favor equity investment.

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