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.

Bonds Are Dead. Long Live Preferred Stock!

By Lawrence Meyers, InvestorPlace Contributor
There's no reason to hold bonds right now -- they yield next to nothing, Income investors have a great alternative: preferred stock which pays safe yields over 5%.

Bond Mutual Funds vs. Bond ETFs: Which Is Right for You?

By LearnBonds.com
You can get into bonds through mutual funds or ETFs, but which option is cheaper actually depends on how you plan to invest.

4 Muni Bond ETFs to Buy for the Dividends

By Susan J. Aluise, Aviation, Auto & Transportation Writer
These dull darlings of income investors have gotten an undeserved bad rap lately. Here's a diversified way to play these still-trusty income producers.

It’s Hammer Time for Bonds

By Tyler Craig, Tales of a Technician
TLT has breached its pivotal 50-day MA for the first time in four months, but it might be premature to declare the bond bull dead. Optimists should consider this options trade.

Chasing High-Yield Bonds? First, Take a Breath

By Daniel Putnam, InvestorPlace Contributor
All of the factors that have fueled the rally in high-yield bonds remain in place, but does that mean you should buy junk right now?

Generating a Low-Risk, 5% Yield from Asia

By Jeff Reeves
Five- and 10-year returns for this Asia-focused fund destroy the S&P 500 -- and even top bond king Bill Gross and his PIMCO Total Return.

How Much Better Are Exchange-Traded Funds Than Mutual Funds?

By Daniel Putnam, InvestorPlace Contributor
The conventional wisdom is that ETFs are a better option than mutual funds, but just how large is ETFs' performance advantage?

4 Gems Among the Junk-Bond Funds

By Tom Taulli, InvestorPlace Contributor
Here are some ways you can get in on junk's juicy yields without taking on too much risk. And so far this year, those returns have been juicy indeed.

‘Stocks Are Dead!’ Cries a Faithless Bill Gross

By Dan Burrows, InvestorPlace Feature Writer
The bond king's call for the death of stocks doesn't just ignore basic math -- it discounts human ingenuity.

Rate Roundup: CDs, Money Markets and Mortgages

By Dan Burrows, InvestorPlace Feature Writer
Record low rates are hell on savers and a boon to borrowers. Here's a look at what you're savings will earn and what your loans will cost.

3 Ways to Find High Yield in Bond Funds

By LearnBonds.com
Munis, corporates and non-agency mortgage-backed securities funds offer good income opportunities. Here's closer look at why.

Can the Rally in Corporate Bonds Continue?

By Daniel Putnam, InvestorPlace Contributor
Corporate bonds have staged a robust rally since early June, and all the factors underpinning the move remain in place. Does that mean they're still a good buy?

Gold, Silver Lower on Mixed News Reports

By Andrew Burger, InvestorPlace Contributor
Markets await an EU summit and a Supreme Court ruling on 'Obamacare' later this week.

Gold, Silver Sag at Start of Eventful Week

By Andrew Burger, InvestorPlace Contributor
European Union leaders are due to meet Thursday and Friday to discuss closer fiscal integration, a cross-border banking union and a joint debt-redemption fund.

Gold, Silver Down to Close Out Losing Week

By Andrew Burger, InvestorPlace Contributor
No definitive actions were taken by the U.S. or eurozone central banks to contain the eurozone debt/credit crisis.

Gold, Silver Lower As FOMC, G-20 Meet

By Andrew Burger, InvestorPlace Contributor
Germany and eurozone leaders agree to use emergency funds from the European Stability Mechanism and European Financial Stability Facility to buy bonds of troubled member nations in the open market.

Spain & Italy: Different Problem, Same Crisis

By Charles Sizemore, Chief Investment Strategist, The Freeport Society
Italy's government spending and Spain's real estate bubble may be different issues, but they are both part of a crisis of confidence.

Building China’s Corporate Bond Market

By Fisher Investments
On tap in 2012: A doubling of last year’s corporate bond issuance. Beijing's push to open its capital markets should keep the economy growing.

Gold Up, Silver Down Ahead of Greek Vote

By Andrew Burger, InvestorPlace Contributor
In the U.S., consumer sentiment dropped to the lowest level since December as investors await the much-anticipated second Greek national election in a month.
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