Treasury Inflation Protected Securities

Treasury Inflation Protected Securities

Understanding Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS)

When it comes to trading, you'll come across a lot of terms and types of investments. One such term is Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS). This is a type of treasury security issued by the United States government. The main feature that makes TIPS stand out from other securities is its inflation protection.

What exactly are Treasury Inflation Protected Securities?

Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) are government-issued bonds. The unique quality of TIPS is that their principal value adjusts with the inflation rate. This means, if inflation rises, the principal amount of your TIPS investment increases too. And if inflation falls, the value of the investment decreases.

The Inflation Connection

To give you a better understanding of Treasury Inflation Protected Securities, let's look at the inflation link. Inflation is a major factor that affects the economy. If it rises rapidly, it reduces the value of money and purchasing power. Hence, holding TIPS can provide protection against this kind of loss, as they are linked to the inflation index.

Investing In Treasury Inflation Protected Securities

If you are into trading, you might consider investing in Treasury Inflation Protected Securities. But like any other type of investment, TIPS come with risk. Although they offer inflation protection, if deflation occurs (a decrease in the price level of goods or services), the value of TIPS goes down.

The Benefit Of Treasury Inflation Protected Securities

The real value of Treasury Inflation Protected Securities comes not from their rate of return, but from their ability to protect against inflation. This is why they are particularly attractive for those who anticipate high inflation in the future.