Non-Convertible Debenture
A debenture that cannot be converted into equity and is repaid in cash at maturity.
How it is identified
Test: the instrument carries no conversion right; principal is repaid in cash on the stated date
Unit
qualitative
In depth
NCDs are the main route for Indian companies, particularly non-banking finance companies, to raise retail debt, and listed ones trade on the exchanges. Because there is no equity upside, the entire return is the coupon plus any price movement, so the coupon must compensate for the credit risk taken. A high coupon is a price for risk, not a bargain: an issuer paying 11% when government securities yield 7% is being charged 400 basis points for its credit standing. Liquidity in listed NCDs is generally thin, so exiting before maturity can be expensive or impossible at a reasonable price.
Worked example
An NCD offering 10.5% against a 7.1% government security of similar maturity carries a 340 basis point spread. That spread is the market's price for the possibility of not being repaid, not free extra income.
Illustrative figures, chosen so the arithmetic is easy to follow. Not a live price and not a valuation of any company.
Educational reference only
This entry explains what “Non-Convertible Debenture” means. It is not investment advice and not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Any numbers above are illustrative, not live prices, and nothing here predicts price direction or rates a stock. Consider your own circumstances and consult a SEBI-registered investment adviser before acting.