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Definition of 'Commercial Paper'
An unsecured, short-term debt instrument issued by a corporation, typically for the financing of accounts receivable, inventories and meeting short-term liabilities. Maturities on commercial paper rarely range any longer than 270 days. The debt is usually issued at a discount, reflecting prevailing market interest rates.
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Investopedia explains 'Commercial Paper'
Commercial paper is not usually backed by any form of collateral, so only firms with high-quality debt ratings will easily find buyers without having to offer a substantial discount (higher cost) for the debt issue.
A major benefit of commercial paper is that it does not need to be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as long as it matures before nine months (270 days), making it a very cost-effective means of financing. The proceeds from this type of financing can only be used on current assets (inventories) and are not allowed to be used on fixed assets, such as a new plant, without SEC involvement.
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Commercial paper is an unsecured, short-term loan issued by a corporation. Find out how it compares to other money market securities.
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Investors beware: These risks may not appear until times of market stress.
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Corporate bonds offer higher yields, but it's important to evaluate the extra risk involved before you buy.
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