How does interest rate risk impact investments?

Interest rate risk is a significant factor that impacts the value of investments, particularly fixed-income securities such as bonds. As interest rates change, the present value of future cash flows from these investments also changes, leading to fluctuations in their market value. When interest rates rise, existing bonds typically decrease in value because newly issued bonds offer higher yields, making them more attractive to investors. Conversely, when interest rates fall, the market value of existing bonds generally increases since they are paying higher rates than what is currently available in newly issued bonds. Therefore, interest rate risk directly correlates with the variations in the level of interest rates, affecting the overall return of an investment portfolio. This dynamic is crucial for investors to understand, as it impacts both fixed-income investing strategies and overall portfolio management.