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Types of Bond Funds A bond mutual fund can be a versatile investment either serving as
a short-term investment for a purchase in the near future, or as a balance
to a portfolio meant for retirement or other long-term goals. Depending on
your risk tolerance and time frame, there are a variety of investments to
choose from.
Corporate Bond Funds seek a higher level of income by investing primarily in investment-grade corporate bonds. These funds may also invest assets in other types of fixed income securities, such as U.S. government securities and mortgage-backed issues. Government Bond Funds seek income by investing in government securities such as Treasury bonds and government agency obligations. Although these bonds are government-issued and highly rated, the funds are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government. Municipal Bond Funds seek federally tax-exempt income by investing in bonds issued by state and local authorities. Income from these Funds may be subject to state and local taxes and, depending on your tax status, the Alternative Minimum Tax. However, the tax benefits may still be useful to some shareholders. To discover how a taxable and tax-free yield compare, use the following formula: taxable equivalent yield = tax-free yield/(1 - your tax rate). High-Yield Bond Funds seek a higher level of income than other bond investments. These funds will invest primarily in non-investment grade corporate bonds and generally entail a higher degree of risk. Due to the greater amount of share price volatility in these funds, investors should look to them as long-term investments of at least four years. Some bond funds may blend the different approaches listed above for example, high-yield municipal bond funds. With all of the different types of mutual funds available to you, how do you know which one will provide the right fit? Know Your Goal Know Your Risk Tolerance If you have additional questions, contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-359-3379. Our representatives are here to answer your questions about bond investing and discuss which bond fund may be right for you.
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