Stocks and bonds differ in many aspects, including the risk and return investors can expect. Because of these differences, stocks and bonds accomplish different things in an asset allocation. When you own a stock, you’re buying a piece of equity ownership in the company. With bonds, you’re buying the issuer’s
Although past performance is not indicative of future results, history can be a helpful lens to view bond performance during past recessions and bouts of volatility. Swings in the financial markets also highlight the benefits—and limitations—of diversification. During times of economic, financial, and political uncertainty, investors often wonder where to
The Federal Reserve is going to be raising interest rates (via the target Federal Funds rate). This is likely to happen next month. Rising interest rates affect the stock and bond market in different ways. Interest rates don’t have a uniform impact on sectors within each broad asset class, either.
How do bonds work and why buy them in your investment accounts? There are several benefits of investing in bonds. Most notably, bonds provide investors with income, diversification from stocks, and stability compared to riskier asset classes. There’s a lot to know about bonds, but here are the bond basics
One of the most important things to know about bonds is how changes in interest rates affect bond prices, and therefore yields (unless held to maturity). The relationship between interest rates, bond prices, and bond yields is based on a few simple investing principles. Bond prices move inversely to interest
Amidst the vast uncertainty in the markets right now, it’s more important than ever for investors to understand the benefits—and limitations—of diversification. Having the right investment mix for your situation is critical in good times in the financial markets and during downturns. While you can’t control the ups and downs