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What are Bonds, Really?

What are Bonds, Really?

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 What are bonds? This is the next part of our ongoing breakdown of core investing building blocks, following stocks and gold in January and February, respectively. Bonds are often misunderstood, but at their core they are simple. Ed starts us off with the basics. A bond is a loan. When we buy a bond, we lend money to a government, corporation, or municipality. In return, they pay us interest over time and return our principal at maturity. Unlike stocks, we are not buying ownership or growth. We are buying predictability and stability. Next, the key components of a bond: We cover principal, which is typically $1,000 per bond, the coupon, which is the interest payment, and maturity, which is when we get our money back. Longer maturities usually come with higher interest because they carry more uncertainty. We also highlight a critical concept. Bond prices and interest rates move in opposite directions. When rates rise, bond prices fall. When rates fall, bond prices rise. This helps explain why bonds struggled in 2022 and how they can recover when rates decline. Why do bonds exist? From the issuer’s side, they are a way to raise money for spending, projects, or refinancing debt. From the investor’s side, bonds provide steady income, lower volatility than stocks, and diversification within a portfolio. They help create balance and reduce overall risk. Alex then explores different types of bonds. We cover U.S. Treasuries, municipal bonds, and corporate bonds. Treasuries are considered the safest. Municipal bonds can offer tax advantages. Corporate bonds provide higher yields but come with more risk. Further, within corporate bonds, we distinguish between investment grade and high yield, or junk bonds, which carry greater default risk but higher potential returns. We also explain the risks involved. These include credit risk, interest rate risk, reinvestment risk, and inflation risk. While bonds are more stable than stocks, they are not risk free. Understanding these risks is essential for proper portfolio planning. Finally, we emphasize the role bonds play in a portfolio. They provide income, stability, and psychological comfort during market volatility. They help investors stay disciplined and avoid emotional decisions. Bonds may not be "exciting," but they can be a key portfolio piece for balance and long term success. You can always email Alex and Ed at info@birchrunfinancial.com or give them a call at 484-395-2190.Or visit them on the web at https://www.birchrunfinancial.com/Alex and Ed's Book: Mastering The Money Mind: https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Money-Mind-Thinking-Personal/dp/1544530536 Any opinions are those of Ed Lambert Alex Cabot, financial advisors, RJFS, and Jon Gay, and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. The information contained in this report does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. There is no assurance any of the trends mentioned will continue or forecasts will occur. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but Raymond James does not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. The examples throughout this material are for illustrative purposes only. Raymond James does not provide tax or legal services. Please discuss these matters with the appropriate professional. Diversification and asset allocation do not ensure a profit or protect against a loss. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. CDs are insured by the FDIC and offer a fixed rate of return, whereas the return and principal value of investment securities fluctuate with changes in market conditions. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of 500 widely held stocks that is generally considered representative of the U.S. Stock Market. Keep in mind that individuals cannot invest directly in any index, and index performance does not include transaction costs or other fees, which will affect actual investment performance. Individual investor's results will vary. This information is not intended as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any security referred to herein. Future investment performance cannot be guaranteed, investment yields will fluctuate with market conditions. International investing involves special risks, including currency fluctuations, differing financial accounting standards, and possible political and economic volatility. There is an inverse relationship between interest rate movements and bond prices. Generally, when interest rates rise, bond prices fall and when interest rates fall, bond prices generally rise. Investing in small cap stocks generally involves greater risks, and therefore, may not be appropriate for every investor. The prices of small company stocks may be subject to more ...
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