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You are here: Home / Archives for bonds

540: Beyond Munis — New ETFs for Tax-Efficient Bond Investing

October 8, 2025 by Camden Stein · Updated October 27, 2025

How to decide when to invest in municipal bonds versus new tax-efficient bond ETFs that don't invest in munis. We analyze several newer ETFs that earn bond-like returns while avoiding paying taxable income distributions. Investments mentioned: Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEB) iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF (IEF) JPMorgan Ultra-Short Municipal Income ETF (JMST) Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF (BOXX) F/m Compoundr U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (CPAG) F/m … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: bonds, BOXX, CPAG, municipal bonds, retirement investing

537 Plus: Adaptive Model Fixed Income Portfolio, A New Factor Rotation International Equity ETF, and Holding Meta Stock

August 30, 2025 by David Stein · Updated September 3, 2025

In Plus episode 537, we compare the performance and structure of the Adaptive Model Fixed Income portfolios to that of the broader bond market, such as the Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND). We answer a member's question on the DoubleLine Flexible Income Fund. We review the new iShares International Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF (IDYN). Finally, we address a member's question regarding a large position in Meta that he received from his former employer. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Money Plus Tagged With: bonds, fixed income, IDYN, META, model portfolios

535 Plus: Current Bond Market Pricing, Revisiting a Plus Member Profile, and the Elm Market Navigator ETF

August 16, 2025 by David Stein · Updated August 23, 2025

In Plus episode 535, we review what has to happen for U.S. longer-term interest rates to decline from current levels. We revisit a Plus member's financial situation nine years after answering their initial questions. Finally, we analyze the new Elm Market Navigator ETF (ELM). … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Money Plus Tagged With: bonds, ELM, Fidelity, financial advisors, fixed income, member portfolio review

523: Why Bond Investing Is Easier Than Ever

May 8, 2025 by Camden Stein · Updated May 24, 2025

Discover how bond market ETFs have transformed investing — making bonds easier, cheaper, and more accessible than ever. We also explore how the bond market’s very composition has evolved. Show Notes The total return strategy in bonds is far from dead by James Bianco—The Financial Times What I Learned in My First Year Managing Fixed-Income by Jim Bianco—Bianco Research Advisors ETFs are eating the bond market by Robin Wigglesworth and Will Schmitt—The Financial … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: active bond funds, active ETFs, bond duration, bonds, ETFs, fixed income

516 Plus: Ultra Short Term Bond ETFs, Intl Bond ETFs, and an Intl Equity Enhanced Closed End Fund

March 22, 2025 by David Stein · Updated April 1, 2025

This week on Plus episode 516, we analyze two new Vanguard Ultra Short Term Bond ETFs. We also look at two ETF options for investing in shorter-term non-U.S. bonds. Finally, we consider a closed-end fund that invests in non-U.S. dividend-paying stocks while writing covered call options. Please note the ticker symbol for the BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust is BGY, not BGI, as was said several times in the episode. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Money Plus Tagged With: BGY, bonds, cash equivalent funds, currencies, international bonds, VBIL, VGUS

495: The Federal Reserve Cut Rates. What Should We Do Now?

September 25, 2024 by Camden Stein · Updated October 11, 2024

What does the Federal Reserve's policy rate cut mean for our portfolios? Will interest rates keep falling? What changes should we make? Topics covered include: What determines interest rates, and where are those drivers currently What is the best estimate of bond returns How duration works and why it changes What are some current fixed income investment options Show Notes Asset Camp FedWatch—CME Group Summary of Economic Projections—US Federal … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: bond duration, bonds, duration, Federal Reserve, interest rates, yield to maturity

463: How to Lock in Higher Yields in Case Interest Rates Fall

January 24, 2024 by David Stein · Updated February 6, 2024

With cash yields expected to fall, here's how you can keep your portfolio income elevated by purchasing longer-term individual bonds and bullet ETFs Topics covered include: How future short-term interest rates, inflation expectations, and term premiums impact long-term interest rates How each of those rate drivers contributed to the close to 1% drop in interest rates in the past three months How yield to maturity is our guide to locking in a fixed return using individual bonds … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: bonds, bullet ETFs, cash equivalents, fixed income, individual bonds, yield to maturity

448: Where Are Interest Rates Headed Next? Insights from the Jackson Hole Symposium

September 20, 2023 by David Stein · Updated September 25, 2024

Why you might want to lock in higher yields now, given real interest rates are the highest they have been in 15 years. Topics covered include: What was covered this year at the Federal Reserve Jackson Hole Symposium What are the primary policy actions central banks take, and how do they influence interest rates What is the neutral real rate of interest, and why is it important Why new ideas are central to an increasing standard of living What would drive interest rates … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: bonds, central banks, interest rates, monetary policy, neutral rate, quantitative easing

447 Plus: The Tax Impact of Active Stock Funds, Municipal Bonds, and Balancing Cash and Longer-term Bonds

September 16, 2023 by David Stein · Updated October 16, 2023

In Plus episode 447, we discuss how to calculate the performance impact of capital gains tax distributions for an active stock mutual fund. We answer a member's question on what to do with a portfolio of individual municipal bonds selected by their previous investment advisor. Finally, we explore the decision between holding high-yielding cash or locking in higher coupon rates on longer-term bonds. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Money Plus Tagged With: active management, bonds, cash equivalents, fixed income, municipal bonds, taxes

445 Plus: More on Estimating Bond Fund Returns and Spin-Off Investing

August 26, 2023 by David Stein · Updated September 25, 2023

In Plus episode 445, we reference an academic study as we try to better explain why the starting yield to maturity is a good estimate of a bond fund's or ETF's annualized return if the holding period is long enough. We also explore spin-off investing in which a parent company divests a division or subsidiary. We review how the parent and child companies perform. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Money Plus Tagged With: bond duration, bonds, expected returns, spin-offs

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