What you need to know to confidently invest in bonds. Topics covered include: Key components of bond investing include face value, coupon rates, yield-to-maturity, duration, and convexity How to decide between owning longer-term or short-term bonds How to decide whether to own individual bonds or bond funds and ETFs When to use active bond management versus bond indexing How bullet bond ETFs work and when to use them How to know when to invest in municipal bonds and … [Read more...]
409 Plus: Buying TIPS at Auction, Building a TIPS Ladder, and Deciding Between Short-term and Long-term Bonds
In Plus Episode 409, we introduce the Money For the Rest of Us affiliate program. We discuss the complexities of purchasing a Treasury Inflation Protection Security at a reopened U.S. Treasury auction. We consider why yields on newly issued TIPS are lower than the yield on TIPS that have been outstanding for a while, even though both bonds have the same maturity. Finally, we consider how to decide between owning short-term bonds versus long-term bonds. … [Read more...]
403 Plus: Is This Normal? Rate Increases, Negative Returns, and Owning Short-term versus Long-term Bonds
In Plus Episode 403, we consider whether the current market volatility is normal compared to earlier periods of rising interest rates. We review the latest leading economic indicators to see if recession risk is rising. Finally, we discuss what factors to consider if deciding about selling longer-term bonds and investing in short-term bonds. … [Read more...]
298 Plus: Early U.S. Economic Indicators, Short-term Bond Options and Deciding on an MBA
In Plus episode 298 for the week of May 16, 2020, we review some early retail, airline, and restaurant economic data as U.S. states being to reopen. We compare three Vanguard short-term bond options. Finally, we discuss the pros and cons of a member spending over $200,000 on full-time MBA program. … [Read more...]
203 Plus: Fixed Income Options and Rebalancing To The Model Portfolios
This week May 5, 2018, we analyze various fixed income options given rising short-term rates. We also focus on the risk of bank loan funds. We also review a challenge a member is having in rebalancing his portfolio to the model portfolios. … [Read more...]
