|
|
|
|
| BondsOnline.com: instant access to and extensive coverage of over 3.5 million stocks, bonds, indexes and other securities covering major and emerging markets and exchanges across the globe. |
|
|
| Bonds Online |
|
|
| 5/10/2013Market Performance |
| Municipal Bonds |
|---|
|
S&P National Bond Index
|
3.00% |
|
|
S&P California Bond Index
|
2.96% |
|
|
S&P New York Bond Index
|
3.13% |
|
|
S&P National 0-5 Year Municipal Bond Index
|
0.70% |
|
|
| S&P/BGCantor US Treasury Bond |
400.09 |
|
| More |
|
| Income Equities: |
|---|
| Preferred Stocks |
|---|
|
S&P U.S. Preferred Stock Index
|
848.03 |
|
|
S&P U.S. Preferred Stock Index (CAD)
|
636.26 |
|
|
S&P U.S. Preferred Stock Index (TR)
|
1,701.05 |
|
|
S&P U.S. Preferred Stock Index (TR) (CAD)
|
1,276.26 |
|
|
| REITs |
|---|
|
S&P REIT Index
|
174.07 |
|
|
S&P REIT Index (TR)
|
425.30 |
|
|
| MLPs |
|---|
|
S&P MLP Index
|
2,469.58 |
|
|
S&P MLP Index (TR)
|
5,428.50 |
|
|
See Data
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bond funds: Opposites that attract higher yields |
REUTERS - Dec. 5, 2011 - By John Wasik
With the Federal Reserve keeping rates low and casting a cautious eye on Europe, is there still a way for investors to achieve higher yields?
There are many options -- from municipals to A-rated corporate bonds to emerging market bonds. Sometimes funds that are at opposite ends of the risk spectrum can add to your portfolio diversification while boosting yield. Two often overlooked choices are, Ginnie Maes and high-yield corporate bonds.
While they're dissimilar when it comes to default risk, they could both be paired up in a diversified income portfolio to achieve returns above U.S. Treasuries and money-market accounts.
Ginnie Maes are mortgage-backed securities -- but not the kind that plummeted in value during the 2008 meltdown. That's because they are backed by the Government National Mortgage Association, a full-fledged U.S. agency that has the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
They provide an even safer yield than the securities issued by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, which have an implied guarantee from the government, but are part of agencies that were publicly-traded prior to their takeover by the government during the housing collapse.
On the other end of the spectrum are high-yield bonds, which are corporate bonds with relatively low credit ratings, meaning they are more likely to feel the impact of defaults than other fixed income securities. They are not government guaranteed and carry more risk, hence their nickname "junk" bonds.
BOND FUNDS SPREAD OUT RISK
In either category, bond funds are the best vehicle for most investors to build income in. Funds give investors the benefit of the highly diversified holdings. They also spread around the risk of any single bond going bad.
Safe as they are, even Ginnie Mae issues could be hit by a rash of early payments on mortgages if homeowners pay off loans early, especially as mortgage rates fall and they refinance.
For the complete article.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Partner Market Place |
|
|
|
| Stuff to look at |
Yield and Income Newsletter: A must have for income investors. subscribe NOW
S&P Commentary and Newsletters: S&P
|
|
| BondsOnline Advisor |
Income Security Recommendation January 2013 Issue.
Keep up with monthly, in-depth coverage of fixed income market strategies, commentary, and insights as seen by our sources. Sign up for the free BondsOnline Advisor now!
Unsubscribe here [+] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
