Expert Insight & Commentary
Bonds Article Library
Schwab Bond Insights: Anchors Aweigh?
by Kathy Jones, Rob Williams and Collin Martin
May 17, 2013
Anchors Aweigh?, Corporate Bonds – New Issuance Remains Strong; Update on BABs and Extraordinary Redemptions Due to Sequestration; Premium Bonds in a Low Yield Environment
by Kathy Jones, Rob Williams and Collin Martin
May 17, 2013
Anchors Aweigh?, Corporate Bonds – New Issuance Remains Strong; Update on BABs and Extraordinary Redemptions Due to Sequestration; Premium Bonds in a Low Yield Environment
Capping the Muni Interest Exemption
by Rob Williams
May 7, 2013
Is the president's proposal to cap the value of municipal bond interest deductions likely to pass? What would happen if it did?
by Rob Williams
May 7, 2013
Is the president's proposal to cap the value of municipal bond interest deductions likely to pass? What would happen if it did?
Schwab Bond Insights: What Happens at the Beginning of the End of QE?
by Kathy Jones, Rob Williams and Collin Martin
May 3, 2013
What Happens at the Beginning of the End of QE?; Reaching for Credit Quality; Warnings on Muni Bonds?; The Treasury Is Set to Begin Issuing Floaters – How Will This Impact You?
by Kathy Jones, Rob Williams and Collin Martin
May 3, 2013
What Happens at the Beginning of the End of QE?; Reaching for Credit Quality; Warnings on Muni Bonds?; The Treasury Is Set to Begin Issuing Floaters – How Will This Impact You?
Should You Worry About Bond Funds if Interest Rates Rise?
by Rob Williams
April 23, 2013
Interest rates have nowhere to go but up. What impact might rising rates have on bond mutual funds?
by Rob Williams
April 23, 2013
Interest rates have nowhere to go but up. What impact might rising rates have on bond mutual funds?
Understanding Floating-Rate Bonds
by Collin Martin
April 3, 2013
Learn about the potential benefits and risks of floating-rate bonds, and how they differ from fixed-coupon bonds.
by Collin Martin
April 3, 2013
Learn about the potential benefits and risks of floating-rate bonds, and how they differ from fixed-coupon bonds.
The Time Is Not Yet Right For Floating Rate Bonds
by Collin Martin
April 3, 2013
Floaters usually make sense when short-term interest rates are expected to rise—but we don't think that's going to happen soon.
by Collin Martin
April 3, 2013
Floaters usually make sense when short-term interest rates are expected to rise—but we don't think that's going to happen soon.
The Fed's Exit Strategy
by Kathy Jones
March 6, 2013
Although the Federal Reserve likely won’t scale back its bond purchase program until later this year, investors should consider limiting long-term bond exposure now.
by Kathy Jones
March 6, 2013
Although the Federal Reserve likely won’t scale back its bond purchase program until later this year, investors should consider limiting long-term bond exposure now.
The Upside of Rising Interest Rates
by Kathy Jones
February 26, 2013
A rise in rates will send bond prices lower—but for savers who have the flexibility to reinvest capital at higher rates, the news isn't all bad.
by Kathy Jones
February 26, 2013
A rise in rates will send bond prices lower—but for savers who have the flexibility to reinvest capital at higher rates, the news isn't all bad.
The Trouble with TIPS
by Kathy Jones
February 25, 2013
Investors may be paying a high price for inflation protection at a time when inflation is trending lower.
by Kathy Jones
February 25, 2013
Investors may be paying a high price for inflation protection at a time when inflation is trending lower.
TIPS for Inflation Protection Today
by Rob Williams
December 18, 2012
Worried about inflation? These bonds may be worth a look.
by Rob Williams
December 18, 2012
Worried about inflation? These bonds may be worth a look.
Credit Risk in Muni Bonds?
by Rob Williams
December 6, 2012
There's been a lot of talk about the creditworthiness of municipal bond issuers—should investors be concerned?
by Rob Williams
December 6, 2012
There's been a lot of talk about the creditworthiness of municipal bond issuers—should investors be concerned?
Municipal Revenue Bonds in a Fixed Income Portfolio
by Rob Williams
November 28, 2012
Given continued strains on state and local governments, investors might consider using municipal revenue bonds to help diversify existing portfolios of general obligation bonds.
by Rob Williams
November 28, 2012
Given continued strains on state and local governments, investors might consider using municipal revenue bonds to help diversify existing portfolios of general obligation bonds.
The Impact of Interest Rates on Bond Investments
by Rob Williams
October 24, 2012
Bond prices tend to fall when interest rates rise and climb when interest rates drop. How much does this matter if you own bonds?
by Rob Williams
October 24, 2012
Bond prices tend to fall when interest rates rise and climb when interest rates drop. How much does this matter if you own bonds?
Below Zero: International Bond Investing Gets Harder
by Kathy Jones
August 14, 2012
Investors looking for diversification in international bond investments face a challenging environment; nonetheless, we believe international diversification remains important.
by Kathy Jones
August 14, 2012
Investors looking for diversification in international bond investments face a challenging environment; nonetheless, we believe international diversification remains important.
High-Yield Bonds—Extra Income, But Added Risk
by Kathy Jones
June 5, 2012
In a world of low interest rates, high-yield bonds can be a source of added income. But remember: extra yield comes with added risk.
by Kathy Jones
June 5, 2012
In a world of low interest rates, high-yield bonds can be a source of added income. But remember: extra yield comes with added risk.
Could Public Pensions Sink Your Muni Bond Portfolio?
by Rob Williams
May 30, 2012
The cost of paying for public pensions can be a challenge for state and local governments. How might these challenges affect muni bond investors?
by Rob Williams
May 30, 2012
The cost of paying for public pensions can be a challenge for state and local governments. How might these challenges affect muni bond investors?
Corporate Bonds: Taking Credit
by Kathy A. Jones
February 27, 2012
For fixed income investors seeking income, we continue to see the risk/reward for investment-grade corporate bonds to be favorable.
by Kathy A. Jones
February 27, 2012
For fixed income investors seeking income, we continue to see the risk/reward for investment-grade corporate bonds to be favorable.
Bond-Market Outlook 2012
by Kathy A. Jones
January 31, 2012
The bond market put in a strong performance in 2011, but we don't believe returns are likely to be as strong in the year ahead.
by Kathy A. Jones
January 31, 2012
The bond market put in a strong performance in 2011, but we don't believe returns are likely to be as strong in the year ahead.
The Cost of Waiting for Rates to Rise
by Kathy A. Jones
January 4, 2012
Waiting for interest rates to rise from current levels may mean missing out on current income and compounded returns longer term.
by Kathy A. Jones
January 4, 2012
Waiting for interest rates to rise from current levels may mean missing out on current income and compounded returns longer term.
Municipal Bankruptcies and Defaults—Impact on Muni Bond Investors?
by Rob Williams
December 5, 2011
Despite a handful of notable municipal bankruptcies, the 'silent majority' of muni bond issuers provide plenty of quality opportunities for investors to choose from.
by Rob Williams
December 5, 2011
Despite a handful of notable municipal bankruptcies, the 'silent majority' of muni bond issuers provide plenty of quality opportunities for investors to choose from.
A Second Look at Bank Bonds
By Kathy A. Jones
November 28, 2011
Despite the current environment, we believe high-quality US bank bonds may be a way to add yield in a diversified bond portfolio.
By Kathy A. Jones
November 28, 2011
Despite the current environment, we believe high-quality US bank bonds may be a way to add yield in a diversified bond portfolio.
Preferred Stocks: Higher Yields, Different Risks
by Rob Williams
October 21, 2011
If the higher yields of preferred securities have caught your eye, here's what you need to know before you invest.
by Rob Williams
October 21, 2011
If the higher yields of preferred securities have caught your eye, here's what you need to know before you invest.
Schwab Bond Insights: Europe and the Economy
by Rob Williams and Kathy Jones
October 21, 2011
We present Bond Insights from the Schwab Center for Financial Research, a summary and analysis of the top stories in today’s bond markets.
by Rob Williams and Kathy Jones
October 21, 2011
We present Bond Insights from the Schwab Center for Financial Research, a summary and analysis of the top stories in today’s bond markets.
Municipal Bonds: When "Tax-Free" Isn't So Free
By Rande Spiegelman
Updated October 4, 2011
Municipal bonds have long been an attractive investment option for tax-sensitive investors. But sometimes, munis may not be so tax free after all.
By Rande Spiegelman
Updated October 4, 2011
Municipal bonds have long been an attractive investment option for tax-sensitive investors. But sometimes, munis may not be so tax free after all.
Bonds: The Two Factors That Matter Most
By Rob Williams
September 26, 2011
When it comes to investing in bonds, what matters most is when you're going to be repaid, and whether you're going to be repaid.
By Rob Williams
September 26, 2011
When it comes to investing in bonds, what matters most is when you're going to be repaid, and whether you're going to be repaid.
Build Muscle in Your Bond Portfolio With Barbells
by Rob Williams
April 5, 2011
With a bond barbell you invest in longer-term bonds for higher yields, while setting aside or building up cash to invest tactically if rates rise.
by Rob Williams
April 5, 2011
With a bond barbell you invest in longer-term bonds for higher yields, while setting aside or building up cash to invest tactically if rates rise.
4 Keys to Building a Bond Portfolio
by Rob Williams
September 24, 2010
How you invest in fixed income depends on a variety of factors—bond quality, diversification, maturity length and your income needs foremost among them.
by Rob Williams
September 24, 2010
How you invest in fixed income depends on a variety of factors—bond quality, diversification, maturity length and your income needs foremost among them.
Choosing Bond Mutual Funds - A User's Guide
by Rob Williams
May 26, 2010
It's important to choose the correct bond funds for your portfolio - but there are many categories to choose from. What's right for you?
by Rob Williams
May 26, 2010
It's important to choose the correct bond funds for your portfolio - but there are many categories to choose from. What's right for you?
The Portfolio Pyramid: Adding Bonds to a Diversified Portfolio
by Rob Williams
February 4, 2010
Just as the food pyramid helps you build a balanced diet, the portfolio pyramid covers the essential elements of a healthy fixed income portfolio.
by Rob Williams
February 4, 2010
Just as the food pyramid helps you build a balanced diet, the portfolio pyramid covers the essential elements of a healthy fixed income portfolio.
Generate Income While Managing Risk Wisely
by Rob Williams, Director of Income Planning, Schwab Center for Financial Research
April 23, 2009
What to think about if you're looking for yield-providing alternatives to stocks.
by Rob Williams, Director of Income Planning, Schwab Center for Financial Research
April 23, 2009
What to think about if you're looking for yield-providing alternatives to stocks.
What to Do if Your Bonds Turn to Junk
by Rob Williams, Director of Income Planning, the Schwab Center for Financial Research
Updated April 15, 2009
Issues and scenarios to consider if you hold individual corporate bonds that have been downgraded to “junk” status.
by Rob Williams, Director of Income Planning, the Schwab Center for Financial Research
Updated April 15, 2009
Issues and scenarios to consider if you hold individual corporate bonds that have been downgraded to “junk” status.
What Are the Risks and Rewards
by Robert N. Williams, Director of Income Planning, Schwab Center for Financial Research
February 11, 2009
Recent turmoil has beaten down prices and created some risks (but also possible opportunities) for investors seeking to boost their fixed income portfolios.
by Robert N. Williams, Director of Income Planning, Schwab Center for Financial Research
February 11, 2009
Recent turmoil has beaten down prices and created some risks (but also possible opportunities) for investors seeking to boost their fixed income portfolios.
Bonds or Bond Funds?
by James D. Peterson, Ph.D., Vice President, Investment Manager Research, Schwab Center for Financial Research
September 28, 2007
It's a critical choice. Find out which approach is right for you.
by James D. Peterson, Ph.D., Vice President, Investment Manager Research, Schwab Center for Financial Research
September 28, 2007
It's a critical choice. Find out which approach is right for you.