Imagine an investment so enduring that its origins trace back to the 17th century, a time when the Dutch pioneered the concept of perpetual bonds. These aren’t your typical bonds with a fixed maturity date; instead, they represent a debt that theoretically never needs to be repaid, offering a continuous stream of interest payments to bondholders. This remarkable financial instrument, born out of the innovative spirit of the Dutch, has proven its longevity, with some of these historical bonds still actively yielding returns centuries later, a testament to their unique structure and the enduring power of compound interest and long-term financial planning.
Adapted from: WSJ.com: Markets
