NPR Goes Junk

A recent podcast from Planet Money on NPR details the purchase of a junk bond issued by Hornbeck Offshore. Hopefully, the initial purchase was designed for the podcast, not as an investment. For example, the bond was purchased because it had the lowest price, which means the bond had the highest yield to maturity because it was likely the closest to bankruptcy. If you listen to the podcast, you will find out that the company did eventually go through a bankruptcy reorganization. One of the most perceptive comments made after the bond was initially purchased was that it would not likely make it to maturity. The podcast is worth a listen since it is an interesting journey of the purchase of a junk bond through the bankruptcy process.