6. Comparing bonds with warrants to convertibles Aa Aa Convertible debt and straight debt issued with warrants are similar securities, because both are debt securities that represent potential equity claims on the issuer's assets. In fact, convertible debt can be thought of as straight debt plus nondetachable warrants. However,several important distinctions do exist. Use the following table to indicate whether the characteristic listed refers to convertible bonds or to stock warrants: Characteristic Convertible Bonds Debt with Warrants These securities typically have a shorter maturity. These fixed-income securities are exchanged for common stock and removed as liabilities from the company's books These securities tend to have higher flotation costs These securities tend to be issued by larger, less risky firms. Do convertible securities aggravate or ease potential conflicts between bondholders and shareholders O Ease potential conflicts between bondholders and shareholders Aggravate potential conflicts between bondholders and shareholders