Bond News and Information
Fixed income investing is more than just a conservative investment tool for those who seek no risk. The Bond markets are more than just Treasuries, more than just savings bonds, and more than just what you found in some old box in the attic.
By definition, they are loans made to the government or a business with the promise that the money you invested will be returned with interest. Both governments and companies are subject to many outside influences from financial news to geo-political events. This adds risk and reward.
This page explores some of those events and their impact on your investments. It should be noted that bonds are important is a smart retirement investor's portfolio.
Can Your Fund Fail?
Investor's panic: mutual funds withdrawals reach new record in this report by Sree Vidya Bhaktavatsalaam
Is your Money Market Fund safe?
Fixed Income Update
Throughout the month, a wide variety of economic surveys are published that move markets not only here at home but around the world as well. The following link will provide you with a guide to when these reports are released as well as some insight into what they mean.
Today's market Composite Bond Yields
Taking a Hit on the Cusp of Retirement
by Ann Marsh
At 64, Gary Bowne's retirement is so close he can almost touch it. But last year he made a serious misstep. He walked into his local Wells Fargo branch and asked for a safe investment for some of his savings.
Current Economic Commentary from Paul Petillo, Managing Editor
Past Economic Commentary
Perhaps you would like to take another look at the world of Investing in Bonds
Should you be investing in Bond funds or should you avoid them?
There are many different types of bonds from which to chose, how do you decide. First, you educate yourself. Here is a quick look at some of the different types of bonds.
Corporate Bonds
Municipal Bonds
College Bonds
Savings bonds, the old standby guaranteed by the "full faith and credit" of the Federal Government are still a very popular way for use as investments.
There is something amiss in your pension plan. Here are three brief updates on how this will affect you. And believe me, it will.
Part One | Part Two
Part Three
NEW!
Our Glossaries
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Buy bonds two ways: Download the form, and mail it from here or buy them online here
In the News
Fred Moseley, professor of economics at Mount Holyoke College looks at the current housing situation.
So bonds might have done better than stocks - but not by much. And now, municipal bonds look attractive. Do you know how to use them?
The 10 Commandments Of Muni-Bond Investing byMarilyn Cohen
This Recession, It's Just Beginning
By Steven Pearlstein
So much for that second-half rebound.
While three-year returns on a single fund are only of little value they are of more value when looking at many more observations in the form of the firmwide performance.
Emerging-Market Bonds Gain on Signs Credit Crisis May Be Easing
By Lester Pimentel
Emerging-market bonds rose, led by gains in Ecuadorean debt, as speculation global banks will be able to weather credit crisis buoyed demand for higher-yielding assets.
Finding Your Refuge From Inflation
By MARK GONGLOFF
March 30, 2008
Bonds are a particularly bad place to park your money if inflation is rampant. You're essentially lending dollars to the bond issuer, and those dollars will buy a lot less when the issuer pays you back.
Last year, our yearly predictions were almost spot on. And if that happens again this year, we will be in for a wild ride. Never have we hoped to be so wrong.
Our 2008 Outlook
The Worth of Corporate Bonds
Transparency has always been a problem with investing. It is no different when using corporate bonds
The Bond Glossary
The following are summaries of the definitions of Moody's ratings for long-term bonds.
Aaa Best quality, with the smallest degree of investment risk.
Aa High quality by all standards; together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds.
A Possess many favorable investment attributes. Considered as upper-medium-grade obligations.
Baa Medium-grade obligations (neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Bonds rated Baa and above are considered investment grade.
Ba Have speculative elements; futures are not as well-assured. Bonds rated Ba and below are generally considered speculative.
B Generally lack characteristics of a desirable investment.
Caa Bonds of poor standing.
C Lowest rated class of bonds, with extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.
Previous Bond Market Reactions - Past articles
Fixed Income Update
Throughout the month, a wide variety of economic surveys are published that move markets not only here at home but around the world as well. The following link will provide you with a guide to when these reports are released as well as some insight into what they mean.
Past Reactions
On Ben Bernanke:
(02.09.07) - Add to that the steady overseas appetite for U.S. bonds
Will bonds be the next winner or is expectation just too great? And the winner is...
Previous Bond Market Reactions - Past articles
Two Quick Questions
Money News... on the Run
Fortyfive:
How do trade deficits work?
Fortysix:
Are they bad for the economy?
Past Articles
Finding the Right Level
Sand In the Gearbox
This Can't Be Good
Could Junk Be Better?
Interest Coverage Ratio : The New Watch-phrase
The Cost of Strength: A Strong Dollar
The Mutual Fund Glossary
