What must be guaranteed by a lost instruments bond?

A lost instruments bond provides a guarantee related specifically to the situation where instruments, such as stocks, bonds, or other financial documents, cannot be located and are believed to be lost. This type of bond ensures that if the original instrument is not recovered, the issuer of the bond will compensate the holder for the value of the lost items. This financial protection is crucial for maintaining the integrity of transactions involving potentially lost instruments, offering reassurance to parties involved.

In contrast, the other options pertain to different types of guarantees that do not align with the purpose of a lost instruments bond. For instance, recovering stolen items or preserving investor rights pertain to different legal or financial contexts that are not specifically addressed by such a bond. Similarly, the completion of contractual obligations typically relates to performance bonds or similar guarantees, which aim to ensure that contracts are fulfilled rather than specifically addressing issues surrounding lost instruments. This distinction is fundamental to understanding the unique function of a lost instruments bond.