IMA: UK corporate bond market penalises retail investors

In a new report, the IMA gives a number of reasons for retail investors being held back in favour of institutional clients. It blames the large number of bond issues and the complex way they interact, saying this makes it difficult for investors to understand the implications if a company fails. "Although the number of companies issuing bonds is akin to that in the equity markets, each issuer typically has a plethora of different bond-issues but only one type of share," it adds. The trade body also says the minimum investment in the UK is usually around £50,000, much higher than on the ...