Debentures are the long term debt instruments issued by various institutions and

companies. There are many types of debentures in the market based on their
convertibility, security, redemption etc., Here we are discussing about the
convertibility.
Based on the ability to convert the debentures after certain period of time in to
shares, they are said to be of 2 types as:
1. Convertible debentures
2. Non - convertible debentures.

1. Convertible debentures:
Debentures which facilitate the owner of these instruments to convert them into
shares after a particular period of time are known as convertible debentures.
Benefits:
a. Since they are backed by a facility of converting into equity, at the times of
conversion if the market value of that particular companys equity is doing
well then it will give a huge return.
b. As they carry lower rate of interest compared to non - convertible debentures,
cost to the issuer is comparatively low.
c. Along with the performance of the equity in the financial markets the rate of
interest and the demand for these convertible debenture fluctuates often.
One can take the price advantage when the equity is on increasing trend.
Disadvantages:
a. Unlike non - convertible debentures these are not backed by any assets of the
issuer agency. They are secured only by the equity of the company which is
highly vulnerable. Thus they are less secured comparatively
b.

A major disadvantage for the issuing company is that convertible

debentures bring the risk of diluting the EPS of the company's common
stocks, and also the control of the company.

c. Investors of these bonds usually receive substantially lower yield to

maturity in comparison to the non-convertible bonds.

2. Non Convertible Debentures:

Debentures which cannot be converted into equity are known as non - convertible
debentures.

Benefits:
a. They carry a good rate of return when compared to convertible debentures.
b. Non - convertible debentures (secured) are backed by the assets of the
company. So in the case of financial bankruptcy the holders of these
instruments have an overriding right in claiming the proceeds of the assets of
the issuer.
c. To the issuer the major advantage is that the ownership does not get diluted.
Hence his (shareholders) control remains same on the company.
d. Unlike convertible debentures these offer a fixed rate of interest whereas the
rate of interest earned by the convertible debentures is highly affected by the
performance of the equity in the market.
Disadvantages:
a. Their inability to get them converted into equity does not give a facility to
become the owners of the company by becoming a shareholder.
b. The rate of interest in higher than that is paid on convertible debentures
which is disadvantage to the issuer.
c. In case of unsecured non - convertible debentures they will be at very high
risk at the times of bankruptcy in realizing the claims from the proceeds of
the assets of the company which are reserved to the secured instruments.