Final answer:
An embedded option is a component of a security that gives either the issuer or the holder the right to take some specified action at present or in the future. Examples of embedded options for bondholders include callable, putable, and convertible securities.
Step-by-step explanation:
An embedded option is a component of a security that gives either the issuer or the holder the right to take some specified action at present or in the future. Embedded options are usually found in bonds and can significantly impact their value. Examples of embedded options include callable, putable, and convertible securities.
For bondholders, embedded options can expose them to reinvestment risk and limit price appreciation. Callable bonds allow the issuer to redeem the bond before the maturity date, which can be disadvantageous for the bondholder if interest rates decrease. Putable bonds allow the bondholder to sell the bond back to the issuer before the maturity date, providing the option to liquidate the investment if interest rates increase. Convertible bonds give the bondholder the right to convert the bond into a specified number of shares of the issuer's common stock at a predetermined conversion price.