Bond Call Features: Don't Get Caught Off Guard
Learn why early redemption occurs and how to avoid potential losses.
Asset Allocation In A Bond Portfolio
An investor's fixed-income portfolio can easily beat the average bond fund. Learn how and why!
Structured Notes: Buyer Beware!
At first glance, this product looks like the answer to investors' prayers. In reality, it's just too good to be true.
Long-Term Investing With Equity Index CDs
Equity Index CDs are perfect for investors who don't mind hanging in for the long term.
Callable CDs: Check The Fine Print
These offer higher returns than regular certificates of deposit, but there's a catch.
Common Bond-Buying Mistakes
Avoid these errors made daily in bond portfolios everywhere.
Are High-Yield Bonds Too Risky?
Despite their reputation, the debt securities known as "junk bonds" may actually reduce risk in your portfolio.
Principal-Protected Notes: Hedge Funds For Everyday Investors
PPNs guarantee to return at least 100% of the original investment and have the potential to return much more.
Spice Up Your Portfolio With International Bonds
Going global can add flavor and diversity to an otherwise bland basket of bonds.
Climb The Bond Ladder To Higher Income
Whether it's learning how to ladder bonds or finding alternatives, investors seeking better yields and higher returns need to be more active.
Top 6 Uses For Bonds
Break down the stodgy stereotype to see what these investments can do for you.
Ultra-Short Bond Funds: More Risk Than Reward?
These funds' risk may overshadow their returns. Find out all you need to know before you get involved.
How Bond Market Pricing Works
Learn the basic rules that govern how bond prices are determined.
How To Create A Modern Fixed-Income Portfolio
Exposure to different asset classes is required to generate income, reduce risk and beat inflation. Find out how bonds can help.
Savings Bonds For Income And Safety
They may not be sexy, but bonds offer undeniable benefits to investors.
What Is A Corporate Credit Rating?
Is the bond you're buying investment grade, or just junk? Find out how check the score.
Callable Bonds: Leading A Double Life
Find out more about these dangerous and exciting cousins to regular bonds.
Bonds You May Never Have Heard Of
These lesser-known bonds may give your portfolio a boost when other investments products fall short.
Corporate Bonds: An Introduction To Credit Risk
Corporate bonds offer higher yields, but it's important to evaluate the extra risk involved before you buy.
The Bear On Bonds
Bond investing is a stable and low-risk way to diversify a portfolio. However, knowing which types of bonds are right for you is not always easy.
Buy Treasuries Directly From The Fed
If you want government securities, go straight to the source. We'll show you how.
The Advantages Of Bonds
They may not be sexy, but bonds do have a place in every balanced portfolio. Find out why.
A Brief History Of Credit Rating Agencies
Credit rating agencies have a long history in this country. Learn about what they do and how were they developed.
13 Pre-Issue Corporate Bond Questions For Businesses
When a company needs more funding, there are many options. Corporate bonds is just one of them.
5 Inflation-Beating Bond Picks
Look beyond traditional bonds when planning long-term. The alternatives can be extremely rewarding.
Build America Bonds: Should You Buy?
BABs are part of the recovery act created by the Obama administration. Find out how they work and whether they could work for you.
Credit Default Swaps: What Happens In A Credit Event?
The credit crisis of 2008 prompted important changes to the settlement of credit default swaps.
The Ins And Outs Of Corporate Eurobonds
Corporate eurobonds simplify expansion for MNCs, though there are a few more hoops to jump through.
Bond Rating Agencies: Can You Trust Them?
Despite investor distrust, rating agencies can be helpful. Just be sure you use these ratings as a starting point.
Find Security In Covered Bonds
Find out about a safe investing alternative that could have prevented the subprime meltdown.
Green Bonds: Fixed Returns To Fix The Planet
Fixed-income investors are no longer left out of the green investing revolution.
Distressed Debt An Avenue To Profit In Corporate Bankruptcy
Use debt securities to attack bankrupt companies and scavenge them for profits.
The Advantages Of Bond Swapping
This technique can add diversity to your portfolio and lower your taxes, but there's a lot to learn before you start.
The Mandatory Convertible: A "Must Have" For Your Portfolio?
Mandatory convertibles are a little understood security with some distinct advantages. Find out if they are right for you.
Bonds For Every Stage Of Life
Fixed-income investments can be part of your portfolio at any age. Find out how.
Hedge Your Bets With Inflation-Linked Bonds
ILBs such as TIPS and I-Bonds allow investors to curb the corrosive effects of inflation and increase portfolio diversification.
Understanding Interest Rates, Inflation And The Bond Market
Get to know the relationships that determine a bond's price and its payout.
The Debt Ratings Debate
Lack of competition and potential conflicts of interest have called the value of these ratings into question.
Why Bad Bonds Get Good Ratings
Credit ratings are not the only tool to rely on when assessing bonds. Find out why they sometimes fall short.
Collateralized Debt Obligations: From Boon To Burden
CDOs were to be Wall Street's boon - instead they went bust. Find out what went wrong.
Municipalities Free Up Cash With Chapter 9
Find out what happens to municipalities when they need money, but have no other option than bankruptcy.
The Basics Of Municipal Bonds
Investing in these bonds may offer a tax-free income stream but they are not without risks.
Junk Bonds: Everything You Need To Know
Don't be fooled by the name - junk bonds may be for you if you know how to analyze them.
An Introduction To Emerging Market Bonds
The rewards associated with this fixed-income asset are significant, but so are the risks.
Basics Of Federal Bond Issues
Treasuries are considered the safest investments, but they should still be analyzed when issued.
Step Up Your Income With A CD Ladder
These instruments offer safe capital, predictable cash flow and simplicity.
ETN Credit Risk May Outweigh Benefits For Some
Exchange-traded notes have many benefits, but they may not be suited to risk-averse investors.
Why Companies Issue Convertible Bonds
Find out how businesses weigh the pros and cons of convertible bonds as an alternative form of financing.
Making A Living On Death Bonds
Find out if these macabre bonds are just the new blood your portfolio needs.
The ABCs Of The Bond Market
Learn these basic terms to breakdown this seemingly complex investment area.
Top 4 Strategies For Managing A Bond Portfolio
Find out how these strategies work and how you can put them to work for you.
How To Compare Yields On Different Bonds
Find out how to equalize and compare fixed-income investments with different yield conventions.
Investing In Securitized Products
Securitized assets are customizable and have a wide range of yields, making them an attractive asset class.
The Many Ways To Lose Money On Bonds
Find out what these common ways are so that you can avoid them - and the losses that follow.
Get Active In Your Bond Portfolio
Find out why being a couch potato with your bonds actually could be mashing your results.
Auction Rate Securities: Bidding On The Long Run
These investments do better with a long-term horizon. Should you buy them before they're going, going, gone?
Why Hedge Funds Love Distressed Debt
Should investors panic or join in when hedge funds buy up bonds from bankrupt companies?
Are CDs Good Protection For The Bear Market?
Certificates of deposit promise stable income in any market, but do they deliver?
Bond Portfolios Made Easy
Like Tonto and Robin, bonds have always taken a side kick attitude toward stocks - until now.
Bearer Bonds: From Popular To Prohibited
These coupon bonds are transferable, negotiable and anonymous - so why aren't they sold in the U.S.?
Use Duration And Convexity To Measure Risk
Find out how fixed-income investors can use this measure to manage their portfolios.
Event-Linked Bonds: Competing Against A Catastrophe
These debt instruments can blow new wind into your portfolio, but only if you can handle the risk.
Leverage Your Returns With A Convertible Hedge
Find out how you can maintain your income stream by using this type of bond strategy.
Index-Linked Certificates Of Deposit: Upside Potential, Low Risk
Index-linked CDs generate returns similar to indexes, without the potential for loss.
Shield Your Portfolio From Inflation For Real Returns
Inflation-protected securities are part of the equation, but they're not a perfect solution.
Reverse Convertibles Can Turn The Tide On Investor Returns
When stocks are stagnant and fixed-income yields are crumbling, RCNs come to the rescue!
Opportunistic Credit Investing
Profit from long-term market trends by buying bonds when other investors shy away.
Bond Funds Boost Income, Reduce Risk
These funds can provide stable returns for those who depend on their investment income.
Too Many Bonds To Choose From?
Find out which bonds you should be investing in and when you should be buying them.
Retirees Can't Count On Muni Bonds
Interest may not be tax-exempt for seniors with Medicare or Social Security benefits.
Asset-Backed Commercial Paper Carries High Risk
Investors beware: These risks may not appear until times of market stress.
Investing In Emerging Market Debt
This asset class has left much of its unstable past behind. Find out how to invest in it.
Channel Your Inner Scavenger With Distressed Debt
Learn about the vulture funds that prey on the market's weak and dying.
Get Acquainted With Bond Price/Yield Duo
Understanding this relationship can help an investor in any market.
Promissory Notes: Not Your Average IOU
These may be a handy way to borrow money, but this convenience does not come without risk.
Principal-Protected Investments: Risks, Fees And Regulations
Discover if these instruments hit the right note for you.
Treasury Inflation Protected Securities
If you want to protect your portfolio from inflation, all you need are a few TIPS.
Agency Bonds: Limited Risk And Higher Return
Discover these safe alternatives to Treasury bonds.
Avoid Tricky Tax Issues On Municipal Bonds
Learn the rules every investor should know before buying into this "tax-free" investment.
The Money Market: A Look Back
Learn how past inflationary periods can predict future real rates of return for cash investments.
Profit From Mortgage Debt With MBS
Mortgage-backed securities can offer monthly income, a fixed interest rate and even government backing.
The Bond Market: A Look Back
Find out how fixed-income investments evolved in the past century and what it means today.
Retail Notes Make Bond Investing Easier
As they are meant to be held until maturity, complex pricing is not an issue. Read on to find out more.
Curbing The Effects Of Inflation
Your investments suffer when general price levels rise. Learn how you can control the damage with IPSs.
Inflation-Protected Securities - The Missing Link
Inflation is an enemy to investors - except to those who invest in IPS, which guarantee a real rate of return with no credit risk.
Weighing The Tax Benefits Of Municipal Securities
Find out how to determine whether the tax exemption offered by "munis" benefits you.
Getting To Know The Money Market
If you need liquidity and safety on a sum of money, don't forgo potential interest by keeping the funds as cash.
The Basics Of The Bond Ladder
If you want a diversified portfolio and steady cash flow, you should learn about this fixed-income strategy.
