maturities

Maturities refer to the length of time until a financial instrument, like a bond or loan, reaches its full term and the principal amount must be repaid. For example, a bond might have a maturity of 10 years, meaning the issuer will pay back the borrower in 10 years. Short-term maturities (less than a year) are typically used for quick financing needs, while longer maturities (several years or decades) are for bigger projects. Maturity dates help investors understand when they will get their initial investment back and can plan accordingly.