All this week we've be focussing on fixed income and writing on a range of topics from what exactly a bond is and how investors can add a dose of fixed income to their portfolios, to the problem with bond performance figures, how to diversify within fixed income, the outlook for credit spreads, as well as interviews with fixed income fund managers. Click the headlines below to be taken to the article.
Monday
The Basics of Bonds Bonds can balance sharemarket ups and downs, if you know how to use them.
Hemlines and Investment Styles Like women's fashion, the flow of capital to bonds can be explained by historical trends.
Vanguard's Davis: Expect Muted Returns for Bonds Low rates are one of the biggest reasons to expect below historic-like returns in the bond market, says Vanguard's chief economist.
Tuesday
The Problem with Bond Fund Performance Figures Corporate bonds aren't traded on exchanges the way stocks are so there's a degree of judgement involved in valuing them.
Memo to Fed: Take a Vacation Another round of quantitative easing at this point will only be pushing on a string and could have many unintended consequences.
The Trouble with Fixed Income Indices Fixed income indices and their ETFs may have some inherent shortcomings.
Set the Right Expectations for Your Bonds Investors should account for the effect of higher rates as well as moderate their return expectations, says WSJ columnist Jason Zweig.
Wednesday
Higher ECB Rates: Not Imminent, but Inevitable Eurozone’s current economic fundamentals and the potential impact on your bond portfolio.
Why Fixed Income Matters Macquarie Income Opportunities' Brett Lewthwaite discusses why you should maintain a fixed income allocation.
Low Yields Put Fixed Income Benefits at Risk Record low bond yields present a risk to two of the three key benefits of an international bond portfolio, says Ibbotson Associates.
Credit Outlook: Spreads Still Have Room to Tighten Credit spreads are still relatively wide compared to long-term averages and our expectations for further credit metric improvements.
Thursday
Fixed Income Funds Go Head to Head Comparing and contrasting Fidelity Moneybuilder Income and M&G Corporate Bond.
Barbelling Bonds to Beat Volatility Co-managers of Fidelity Strategic Income on balancing higher- and lower-quality debt, the outlook for the fund's high-yield stake, and managing for total return versus yield.
US Interest Rates Look Set for Long-Term Rise The size of the Treasury borrowing requirements should lead to a secular rise in rates, says Morningstar US Fixed Income Manager of the Year 2009 Dan Fuss.
The Mexican Standoff in European Credit Schroders European credit fund manager Sarang Kulkarni dissects the struggle between bulls and bears for control of the credit market.
Friday
Getting More Buck for Your Bang (or Risk) It is nearly always prudent to include an exposure to fixed income within your portfolio to get the highest return per unit of risk.
Bond Bubble Burst Could Be a Year Away Investec's Global Co-Head of Fixed Income and Currency talks bond bubbles, bond yields and emerging market debt.
Diversifying with Emerging Markets Debt For investors aware of the risks, emerging markets debt provides a welcome opportunity for diversification within a well-constructed portfolio.
How to Screen for Fixed Income Morningstar's online tools allow you to screen for bond funds--and other funds--that fit your chosen criteria.
