Topic

Bonds

A collection of 17 posts

IVA Research

Muni Bonds 101

There’s more to municipal bonds than just tax-free income. Before analyzing Vanguard’s tax-exempt bond funds—which are among the best around—let’s discuss the municipal bond market basics.

| 14 min read
IVA Research

Bonds Beyond the Index

FUNDS FOCUS — SPECIALTY BOND FUNDS | You can earn more income by venturing beyond the “total bond market.” But with higher yields come greater risks—tread carefully and focus primarily on Vanguard’s junk and emerging markets bond funds.

| 32 min read
IVA Research

Balancing Your Portfolio

FUNDS FOCUS — CORE TAXABLE BOND FUNFDS | Vanguard’s bond managers don’t get the recognition they deserve. And though Treasury bonds are looking better than they have in a long time, Vanguard’s actively managed corporate-heavy bond funds remain my top picks for the core of your balanced portfolio.

| 25 min read
IVA Research

Give Bonds Time | Bonds 101

Yes, rising interest rates knocked the stuffing out of bonds last year. But, if given time, bonds will recover. More than that, today's higher interest rates are a good thing for bond investors. It's inflation the fixed-income investor should fear.

| 12 min read
IVA Research

Bond Funds Own Bonds | Bonds 101

Have you ever wondered whether it's better to buy your own bonds or to invest in a bond mutual fund? Are you unsure whether you should be buying a taxable and a tax-free bond fund? This week, I'll help you answer those questions.

| 9 min read
IVA Research

Trade-Offs in Action | Bonds 101

“Jeff, how do you balance the trade-offs when allocating to bonds in your own account and in the Model Portfolios?” I saw many versions of that question come in from subscribers after I shared the latest installment of the Bonds 101 series, Balancing Trade-Offs. So, before moving on to some

| 15 min read