Bonds

bondsThe premise of bonds is simple: you invest your money to an entity and, after a set period of time, that money matures and can be collected for more than what you invested. Some of the more popular bonds are government bonds, which have been used in the past to fund wars, public utilities, and various federal and state projects.

The main caveat to bonds is their limited returns and the possibility of that yield barely even surpassing inflation. However, the security of bonds is priceless. Bonds are all but sure things and even if the issuer goes bankrupt, bond holders (lenders) are the first to be paid out. Bonds have their place in any portfolio, as they provide lockdown stability and even some growth.

Great Market Gains, But the Challenge Is to Keep Them

By Richard Band
With gains in the market starting to show some wear, here are four strategies for investors to look through for ways to protect wealth and hedge against losses

Could Munis Really Lose Tax-Exempt Status?

By Daniel Putnam, InvestorPlace Contributor
The U.S. government's debt problems have raised the odds that municipal bonds could lose their tax-exempt status. How serious is the threat?

October Rate Roundup: CDs, Money Markets and Mortgages

By Dan Burrows, InvestorPlace Feature Writer
Overall, there hasn't been much movement at all since September. In October, mortgage rates climbed slightly, but refis and equity loans ticked a bit lower.

The One Chart Investors in Steel, Coal and Aluminum Stocks MUST See

By Daniel Putnam, InvestorPlace Contributor
What's the next move for steel, coal and aluminum? Of all the places to look, the 10-year Treasury note might surprisingly provide a clue.

The Party’s Not Over Yet in mREITs

By Bryan Perry
Seek yield in hybrid REITs over vanilla fixed-rate ones. A widening interest rate spread will help these companies to keep up lofty dividend payouts.

BlackRock Takes ETF Prices to the Core

By Will Ashworth, InvestorPlace Contributor
iShares finished its latest volley in the battle for ETF dominance by releasing the remaining four new funds for its "Core" portfolio. Here's a look.

Japan to Overtake China as U.S. Biggest Foreign Creditor

By Nate Wooley, InvestorPlace Writer
For the first time in several years, it looks as if China won't be the top foreign holder of U.S. debt. Japan should be stepping into that spot in January.

5 Ways to Invest $10,000 Now

By Jeff Reeves
Getting started isn't nearly as tough as you may think. And remember: Not all investments have to be in the capital markets.

Another Reason to Worry About Junk Bonds

By Dan Burrows, InvestorPlace Feature Writer
If your high-yield debt has a payment-in-kind feature, run like hell. These bonds allow the issuer to repay with more debt, rather than cash.

RAVI Could Be a Nice Cash Alternative

By Dan Burrows, InvestorPlace Feature Writer
The new FlexShares ETF provides exposure to short-maturity fixed income and could provide a yield boost as well.

Buying Bond Funds? It’s the Arithmetic, Stupid

By Daniel Putnam, InvestorPlace Contributor
While most bond market segments have delivered outstanding gains in the past year, it will be almost impossible for bonds to repeat that feat in the year ahead.

High Times for High-Yield Funds

By LearnBonds.com
These highly rated funds are unlikely to replicate their huge runs of the past year, but high-yield should continue to outpace corporate and Treasury bonds.

Europe Is Still the Main Stage

By Jon Markman, Editor, Trader's Advantage and CounterPoint Options
Forget the notion that Romney's debate win had investors cheering. It's the ECB's moves that are moving markets more than anything else.

Memo to Bill Gross: The U.S. Is Not Greece

By Dan Burrows, InvestorPlace Feature Writer
Once again, Pimco's boss offers a big dose of unhelpful opinion, and his lumping the U.S. in with Greece and Spain is just plain wrong.

5 Questions for Ben Bernanke

By Dan Burrows, InvestorPlace Feature Writer
Here's what we'd like to know about the Fed chief's thinking regarding QE3, inflation and more -- including which presidential candidate he plans to vote for.

Q4 Economic Outlook: Weakness Everywhere

By Dan Burrows, InvestorPlace Feature Writer
Except for the achingly slow U.S. housing recovery, it's tough to find any upside -- all around the globe. Central banks are doing all the heavy lifting.

September Rate Roundup: CDs, Money Markets and Mortgages

By Dan Burrows, InvestorPlace Feature Writer
Borrowers are getting better rates as of September, but savers keep getting squished.

What Does China’s Threat of a ‘Bond Attack’ on Japan Mean for the U.S.?

By Daniel Putnam, InvestorPlace Contributor
China hinted that it would use bonds as weapon in its dispute. with Japan. Would it do the same to the United States?

5 Things QE3 Won’t Fix

By Dan Burrows, InvestorPlace Feature Writer
Bernanke made a massive move to try and crank up the economy, but it's hardly omnipotent. Even Big Ben is saying the real fixes can come only from policymakers.
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