Podcasts about bond funds

Marty discusses various economic indicators that may signal a recession, both conventional and unconventional. He emphasizes the importance of understanding these indicators to make informed financial decisions. The discussion also covers the significance of diversifying income streams, maintaining emergency funds, and avoiding common retirement planning mistakes. Marty highlights the necessity of strategic tax planning and the importance of long-term retirement strategies tailored to individual needs. Reach Marty at 888-519-9096. Smart Money Solutions www.smartmoneysolutionsmn.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John in Boston is in the 32% tax bracket. Should he do Roth conversions? Flight Deck Dad and Irish Girl in Pensacola have a lot of tax-free pension income. Should they do Roth conversions? Bert and Ernie in New Jersey wonder if they should convert to Roth or take advantage of zero percent capital gains tax rates. Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball for all of them today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 529. Plus, Michael and his wife in Bellevue are 34, in the 24% tax bracket and wonder if they should contribute to tax-free or tax-deferred accounts, and if they should slow down on retirement savings and start a bridging account for the years between when they want to punch the clock in their early to mid-50s, and when they can access their retirement savings. Then, for something completely different, Frenchie from Maine writes back in: What are the disadvantages to paying off her mortgage ASAP, and what's the tax efficiency of a money market compared to bond funds? Free financial resources & episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-529 WATCH How to Break Through Retirement Barriers on YMYW TV CALCULATE your Free Financial Blueprint SCHEDULE your Free Financial Assessment ASK Joe & Big Al for your Retirement Spitball Analysis SUBSCRIBE to YMYW on YouTube DOWNLOAD more free guides READ financial blogs WATCH educational videos SUBSCRIBE to the YMYW Newsletter Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast 01:00 - We're in the 32% Tax Bracket. Should We Do Roth Conversions? (John, Boston, MA) 06:19 - We Have Large Tax-Free Pension Income. Should We Do Roth Conversions? (Flight Deck Dad & Irish Girl, Pensacola, FL) 16:03 - Watch How to Break Through Retirement Barriers on YMYW TV, Calculate your free Financial Blueprint 16:52 - Should We Do Roth Conversions or Take Advantage of 0% Capital Gains Tax? (Bert & Ernie, NJ) 25:53 - In the 24% Bracket. Should We Contribute to Tax-Free or Tax Deferred Accounts? (Michael, Bellevue, WA) 29:49 - Schedule a Free Financial Assessment at any of Pure Financial Advisors' 12 nationwide locations or online 31:04 - Disadvantages to Paying Off the Mortgage ASAP? Tax Efficiency of Money Market vs. Bond Funds? (Frenchie, ME) 36:23 - Outro: Next Week on the YMYW Podcast

Marty covers financial planning strategies for uncertain economic times, emphasizing the importance of preparation and mindset. The discussion also covers inflation's impact on retirement and the balance between cash management and investment strategies. Marty discusses the importance of wise investing for retirement, emphasizing the need to protect savings and avoid unnecessary risks. He highlights the unique financial challenges women face, including the wage gap and longevity issues, and offers strategies to overcome these obstacles. The discussion also touches on the significance of having a solid financial plan, the role of risk aversion in investment strategies, and concludes with light-hearted mom-isms that provide timeless financial wisdom. Reach Marty at 888-519-9096. Smart Money Solutions www.smartmoneysolutionsmn.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marty covers common misconceptions about retirement planning, emphasizing the importance of realistic assumptions. He highlights the risks associated with relying on market performance, inflation, and the expectation of inheritance. Marty stresses the need for a comprehensive retirement plan that accounts for potential life changes and economic fluctuations. He also explores opportunities that arise in volatile markets, such as tax loss harvesting and strategic buying, while advocating for guaranteed income strategies to ensure financial security in retirement. Reach Marty at 888-519-9096. Smart Money Solutions www.smartmoneysolutions.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marty discusses the challenges and strategies for navigating market uncertainty as individuals approach retirement. He emphasizes the importance of sticking to a financial plan, understanding income-generating investments, and maximizing Social Security benefits. The discussion highlights the need for knowledge and preparation in retirement planning, particularly in light of market fluctuations and the complexities of Social Security. Reach Marty at 888-519-9096. Smart Money Solutions www.smartmoneysolutionsmn.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marty talks about the recent recovery in the stock market, the implications of tariffs on American manufacturing, and the political landscape affecting economic policies. He delves into retirement planning strategies amidst market volatility, emphasizing the importance of guaranteed income streams for retirees. The discussion also touches on budgeting and managing expenses and concludes with insights on consumer confidence and the future economic outlook. Reach Marty at 888-519-9096. Smart Money Solutions www.smartmoneysolutionsmn.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marty discusses the critical aspects of retirement planning, emphasizing the importance of tax strategies, the benefits of indexed universal life insurance, and the role of annuities in providing a stable income. He also explores the differences between Roth and traditional accounts, and draws parallels between retirement planning and lessons from classic literature, highlighting the need for a sound strategy in the face of current market trends. Reach Marty at 888-419-9096. Smart Money Solutions www.smartmoneysolutionsmn.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marty discusses the various curveballs that retirees may face, including financial instability, healthcare costs, taxes, inflation, and the importance of estate planning. He emphasizes the need for a flexible retirement plan that can adapt to life's unexpected challenges. The conversation also revisits traditional retirement rules, such as the 4% rule and the 25 times rule, providing insights on how to effectively manage retirement income and expenses. Reach Marty at 888-519-9096. Smart Money Solutions www.smartmoneysolutionsmn.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eric Kearney and Joseph Lanza discuss the unpredictable nature of life and its impact on retirement planning. They emphasize the importance of being prepared for various curveballs, including health issues, financial instability, and unexpected family matters. The conversation highlights the necessity of comprehensive financial planning, particularly in relation to healthcare costs and tax implications. The hosts also challenge outdated retirement rules, advocating for personalized financial strategies that reflect individual circumstances and needs. The conversation also highlights the value of educational classes in enhancing financial knowledge and making informed decisions about retirement. Call Eric Kearney 800-779-1942 Visit Retirement Wealth LLC to learn more. Text Eric to 600700.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marty discusses the complexities surrounding tariffs and their implications for retirement planning. He explores the myths and facts about tariffs, their impact on inflation, and how they affect stock prices and retirement funds. Marty emphasizes the importance of adapting retirement strategies in light of economic changes, including the use of annuities and life insurance for generating income. The discussion highlights the need for a comprehensive retirement plan that considers market volatility and inflationary pressures. Reach Marty at 888-419-9096. Smart Money Solutions www.smartmoneysolutionsmn.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marty discusses the implications of tariffs on retirement planning, the volatility of the markets, and effective debt management strategies for retirees. He emphasizes the importance of understanding how economic changes can affect financial security and offers insights into navigating these challenges. The discussion also highlights the need for a flexible retirement plan that can adapt to market fluctuations and personal financial situations. Reach Marty at 888-519-9096. Smart Money Solutions www.smartmoneysolutionsmn.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marty discusses the complexities of retirement planning, emphasizing the importance of replacing lost income, customizing strategies to individual needs, and the significance of social connections post-retirement. He explores various aspects of financial security, including tax strategies and risk management, while highlighting the necessity of a well-structured plan to ensure a fulfilling retirement. Reach Marty at 888-519-9096. Smart Money Solutions www.smartmoneysolutionsmn.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marty discusses the various aspects of retirement, including the loss of predictable income, the importance of finding purpose, the implications of losing employer-sponsored benefits, and the need for a solid spending plan. He also delves into tax strategies, particularly Roth conversions, and their potential benefits and drawbacks. The discussion emphasizes the importance of planning for a fulfilling retirement while navigating financial complexities. Reach Marty at 888-519-9096. Smart Money Solutions www.smartmoneysolutionsmn.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to another edition of Five Question Friday (FQF). Here are today's questions:1. What bond funds do I use in my portfolio?2. Do you really need an emergency fund?3. How does living off interest work with Bengen's 4% rule? 4. How to track money market funds in my investment tracking spreadsheet?5.  Are money market funds better than intermediate-term bond funds?Join the Newsletter. It's Free:https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

Marty discusses the essential aspects of retirement planning, focusing on how much money individuals need to retire comfortably. He emphasizes the importance of evaluating expenses, maximizing savings, managing debt, and planning for healthcare costs. The discussion also covers strategies for maximizing social security benefits and draws historical parallels to retirement planning from the Roman Empire, highlighting the evolution of retirement systems and the challenges faced in modern retirement planning. Reach marty at 888-519-9096. Smart Money Solutions www.smartmoneysolutions.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The conversation explores the implications of the 'Silver Tsunami' as more baby boomers reach retirement age, discussing the challenges and considerations for retirement planning, including Social Security, income diversification, and the importance of having a purpose in retirement. Various types of retirees are examined, highlighting different approaches to life after work, from those who continue to work out of passion to those who embrace a more leisurely lifestyle. Marty discusses the importance of comprehensive retirement planning, addressing various case studies that highlight common pitfalls and strategies for securing a comfortable retirement. Reach Marty at 888-519-9096. Smart Money Solutions www.smartmoneysolutionsmn.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marty discusses essential strategies for retirement planning, focusing on balancing risk and reward, ensuring guaranteed income, and navigating the complexities of cryptocurrency and tax-free income sources. He emphasizes the importance of understanding investments, managing risks, and utilizing tools like annuities, Roth IRAs, and HSAs to secure a stable financial future. The discussion also highlights the potential pitfalls in retirement planning, particularly regarding taxes and Social Security. Reach Marty at 888-519-9096. Smart Money Solutions www.smartmoneysolutionsmn.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are the benefits and differences between exchange-traded funds and mutual funds? Mike in Colorado wants to know. How should Lauren in Florida approach the fixed-income portion of her investment portfolio? Would a balanced fund be good for asset allocation in the decumulation phase for DJ in Missouri? Plus, Karen wants to make a one-time roulette investment. Should she hire a broker or do it herself? Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball on investing from the basics to the alternatives, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 516. But first, something for YMYW's legion of Old-Fashioned drinkers: find out how you can put your money where your mouth is with our special guest Jeremy Kasler, the founder and CEO of CaskX, making investing in whiskey and bourbon more accessible and transparent for investors. Access free financial resources and the episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-516 DOWNLOAD The Investing Basics Guide WATCH Financial Facts vs. Fiction: The Truth May Shock You! on YMYW TV DOWNLOAD The Retirement Readiness Guide WATCH the full interview with Jeremy Kasler of CaskX ASK Joe & Big Al for your Retirement Spitball Analysis CALCULATE your free Financial Blueprint SCHEDULE your Free Financial Assessment SUBSCRIBE to YMYW on YouTube DOWNLOAD more free guides READ financial blogs WATCH educational videos SUBSCRIBE to the YMYW Newsletter Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast 00:55 - How to Invest in Bourbon and Whiskey with Jeremy Kasler, Founder and CEO of CaskX (watch the full interview exclusively on YouTube) 12:17 - Watch Financial Fact vs. Fiction: The Truth May Shock You! On YMYW TV, Download the Retirement Readiness Guide 13:09 - Big Al and Joe's Favorite Bourbons or Whiskeys 15:17 - ETFs vs. Mutual Funds Explained (Mike, CO) 18:34 - Bonds, Bond Funds, TIPs, CDs: Where to Invest for Fixed Income? (Lauren, FL) 21:47 - Download the Investing Basics Guide, Calculate your Free Financial Blueprint 22:54 - Is a Balanced Fund Good for Asset Allocation in the Decumulation Phase? (DJ, Missouri) 27:33 - One-Time Roulette Investment: Should I Hire a Broker or Do It Myself? (Karen) 31:46 - Outro: Next Week on the YMYW Podcast

Marty discusses the concept of behavioral finance and its implications for retirement planning. He emphasizes the emotional aspects of financial decisions, the importance of understanding one's triggers, and the need for a diversified approach to retirement income. Marty also highlights the role of a financial coach in navigating the complexities of retirement planning, the necessity of regular reassessments, and the application of military strategies to ensure financial security. Reach Marty at 888-519-9096. Smart Money Solutions www.smartmoneysolutions.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode from Saturday's radio show: 1:48 The Illusion of Gold 7:13 Retirement and Investment Strategies 8:52 Health Savings Accounts Explored 12:53 The Dangers of Meme Coins 15:54 Navigating Required Minimum Distributions 25:19 Bond Funds and Market Stability 28:56 Capital Gains Tax Insights 34:14 Understanding IRMAA and Medicare Costs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marty explores various aspects of retirement planning, focusing on the economic landscape of 2025, risk management strategies, investment approaches, and the emotional factors that influence retirement decisions. He emphasizes the importance of income security, the need for a comprehensive plan, and the emotional journey clients experience during retirement planning. Reach Marty at 888-519-9096. Smart Money Solutions www.smartmoneysolutionsmn.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marty discusses the parallels between physical fitness and financial fitness, emphasizing the importance of maintaining both for a healthy and secure retirement. He outlines various exercises and their financial counterparts, such as automating savings like walking for health. The discussion also covers the significance of planning for market downturns, creating a safe financial strategy, and ensuring a steady income stream in retirement. Marty encourages listeners to take proactive steps in their financial planning to avoid panic during market fluctuations. Reach Marty at 888-519-9096. Smart Money Solutions www.smartmoneysolutionsmn.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marty discusses the top financial concerns retirees will face in 2025, as identified by Goldman Sachs. He emphasizes the importance of long-term planning, the need to maximize employer benefits, and the role of technology in retirement planning. Marty also shares practical advice on saving and spending, highlights the significance of income planning, and provides insights through quotes from notable figures in finance. Reach Marty at 888-519-9096. Smart Money Solutions www.smartmoneysolutionsmn.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marty discusses the common pitfalls retirees face and emphasizes the importance of careful planning and budgeting for a successful retirement. He highlights the dangers of relying too much on home equity, the need to research new living areas before relocating, and the risks of elder scams. Marty also stresses the importance of having a financial plan that accounts for various income sources and helps avoid overspending during the early years of retirement. Reach Marty at 888-519-9096. Smart Money Solutions www.smartmoneysolutionsmn.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marty discusses the importance of setting financial resolutions for the new year, emphasizing the need for discipline and accountability in achieving these goals. He explores various strategies for managing retirement accounts, particularly 401(k)s, and the implications of cashing out versus rolling over these accounts. The discussion also highlights the significance of having an emergency fund and the potential benefits of loans against 401(k)s as a financial strategy. Reach Marty at 888-519-9096. Smart Money Solutions www.smartmoneysolutionsmn.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don takes your questions: 2:59 Bond Funds vs. Individual Bonds 6:02 Starting a Custodial Roth IRA 7:55 Building a Taxable Bond Hedge 10:57 Rebalancing in Retirement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Russel Kinnel, director of ratings for Morningstar Research Services, discusses large growth's impressive run in 2024 and why it might be time to rebalance if you haven't in a while.What is Driving Growth's Impressive Run?Why Is it Important to Rebalance NowWhat Triggered Growth's Largest Selloffs Since 2000What Was Unusual About the Growth Correction in 2022Top-Rated Bond Funds that Could Help with Saving for an Emergency FundBond Funds that are Defensive if Growth Gets Crushed  Small-Value Funds Out of Sync With Large Growth  Mid-Growth Funds that are Good Diversifiers Read about topics from this episode.  Subscribe to the Morningstar FundInvestor newsletter. 6 Top-Performing Large-Growth Funds Is It Time to Diversify Beyond US Large-Cap Growth Stocks? How to Rebalance Your Portfolio Before 2025 The Best Funds for Rebalancing in 2025 The Best Bond Funds   What to watch from Morningstar.What Higher Bond Yields Mean for Markets in 2025 Yes, You Can Still Find Tax-Loss Harvesting Opportunities in 2024A Simpler Medicare Part D Is Coming. Here's How It Could Save You MoneyA Better Way to Use Leverage in Your ETF Portfolio Read what our team is writing:Russel KinnelIvanna Hampton  Follow us on social media.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/X: https://x.com/MorningstarIncInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstar... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5161/

Jonathan Browne, portfolio manager at RiverNorth Capital, joins the podcast to discuss investment opportunities in municipal bonds, specifically through the closed-end fund structure.   This podcast episode was made available to premium subscribers the day after recording and without ads or announcements. To become a premium subscriber, visit our Substack. Content Highlights Quick primer on closed-end funds and their difference with mutual funds and ETFs (1:18); Municipal bonds and what to look for there (16:01); What kind of yield can investors expect from this asset class? (23:31); Background on the guest (26:50); Rising interest rates and inflation are certainly a risk for muni bonds, but the risk/reward is set up constructively... (30:59); Muni closed-end funds: a contrarian pick (37:28) For more on the guest, visit the website RiverNorth.com

Jonathan Browne, Senior Investment Analyst at RiverNorth Capital Management — and Portfolio Manager on five of the firm's municipal bond closed-end fund-of-funds — says that the headwinds that made for big struggles in the muni bond space have shifted to become tailwinds, creating opportunity despite the strong recent rebound among muni bond funds. Browne says that the rising-rate cycle had led to discounts reaching the 12 to 15 percent range — a level previously only reached during financial crises — making munis about as cheap as they had ever been. Now, even after a run of more than 30 percent, muni closed-end funds are at the 70th percentile of cheapness, with "quite a bit of room to run."

Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi, says that the start of a rate-cutting cycle is a time when investors will want low-cost active management — rather than an index fund — in the fixed-income space. To that end, he picks a T. Rowe Price fund that uses a quantitative management style as his ETF of the Week, noting it can do the job for investors looking to diversify their fixed-income holdings. Jessica Johnston, senior director for NCOA's Center for Economic Well-Being In the U.S., discusses a recent survey by the group which showed that 80 percent of older Americans face a real risk of financial insecurity, Chuck discusses what investors and savers are facing — regardless of which side wins the election — when it comes to decisions on tax legislation that expires in 2025, covering everything from tax rates and the standard deduction to the child tax credit,estate tax exemptions and much more. And in the Market Call, Kathy Boyle of Chapin Hill Advisors discusses how she uses ETFs in pursuing core-and-explore investment strategy.

In this episode we answer emails from Frank, John, Aaron and Pete.  We discuss bond allocations in treasuries of various durations, when retirement account space is limited and the tax bracket is high, the reasons for the strange presentation of this podcast and how to use a new AI-Bot to circumvent them (with an embedded example of an AI-Bot podcast created from Episode 333 about target date funds), the joys of having younger listeners and Derek Tharp's Monte Carlo based variable withdrawal strategies.Links:The New Google Notebook AI-Bot That Creates Podcasts:  NotebookLM | Note Taking & Research Assistant Powered by AIDerek Tharp Podcast:  Busting the 4% Rule Myth - Retirement Revealed | Podcast on SpotifyDerek Tharp Article:  A Monte Carlo 50% Retirement Success Probability Can Work (kitces.com)Amusingly Inaccurate Unedited AI-Bot Summary:Unlock the secrets of smarter investing and redefine how you approach your portfolio with our latest episode of Risk Parity Radio. Ever wondered if your 401k rollover could be optimized for greater returns? We dive into a listener's question about achieving a 30% bond allocation, weighing the pros and cons of treasury versus municipal bonds. You'll discover insights into balancing tax implications and investment goals, while also considering the volatility of different bond types. Our conversation guides you toward a holistic view of your investment strategy, ensuring your portfolio aligns with your personal financial objectives.Challenging the status quo, we welcome guest Frank Vasco to dissect the perceived simplicity of target date funds. Could these popular investment vehicles be holding your growth potential back? Frank shares compelling findings from a 2022 study, revealing how TDFs might underperform significantly over decades. Even industry stalwarts like Vanguard aren't immune to these criticisms. With this in mind, we encourage you to critically evaluate your 401k plan choices, embracing a mindset of informed skepticism and strategic thinking.Finally, we examine the fascinating world of index funds and question traditional retirement withdrawal strategies. Drawing an analogy to betting on the entire Kentucky Derby, we explore how index funds offer diversification and often outperform active management. As you rethink retirement, we discuss utilizing Monte Carlo simulations to create flexible withdrawal strategies that adapt to changing circumstances. This episode is all about empowering you with financial literacy and the tools to challenge conventional wisdom, putting you in control of your future wealth.Support the show

Adam and Steve are live to answer your financial questions and bring the latest information on the market!

Leverage in real estate investing is often misunderstood because it can amplify both gains and losses.(I'll share real-world examples like Vornado and NexPoint.) Today's Stocks & Topics: CAN - CNA Financial Corp., Market Wrap, MCK - McKesson Corp., Understanding Leverage in Real Estate Investing, Bond Funds, RBB - RBB Bancorp, The Bond Market, JD - JD.com Inc. ADR, PIMIX - PIMCO Income Fund Institutional, China's Economy.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Miguel Laranjeiro, Investment Director at abrdn, says we are seeing "the beginning of a robust in-flow cycle into the muni space," noting that credit spreads and all-in yields are attractive and that the value of the tax exemption will particularly pay off now. He says he expects the Federal Reserve's long-awaited rate cuts will end the longest yield curve inversion ever for municipal bonds. Once the yield curve has normalized, Laranjeiro expects leverage costs to become a positive for the total return of levered muni funds, creating an additional impetus for investors.

In this week's podcast we talk about what's happening with bonds and why you should care. Over the past two years, we've seen dramatic shifts in the bond markets. Lots of investors and pension holders in Ireland have often large swathes of Bond Funds within their investment and pension portfolios. But often have never had clarity on what they are or why they move around a bit! It's been a bit of a rollercoaster, to put it mildly.  I hope it helps.

Vanguard Hosts Brad Wright and Chris Boyd are joined by Ted Dinucci, an investment strategist with Vanguard's Investment Advisory Research Center, the team tasked with creating thought leadership for their intermediary advisory partners across a range of investment, wealth management, and financial planning topics. They discuss: -Individual bonds vs bond funds - How to utilize each for income during retirement -Which is better during a falling interest rate environment Learn more at: https://advisors.vanguard.com/advisors-home Join Vanguard at the following New England locations: -Vanguard RIA Social:  Envio on the Rooftop – Portsmouth, NH:  Wed Aug 21 st   4:30pm –7:30pm   PLEASE RSVP -Vanguard RIA Social:  Granary Tavern – Boston (Financial), MA:  Thurs Aug 22 nd 4:30pm-7:30pm   PLEASE RSVP -Vanguard RIA Meet & Connect Luncheon – Riverbend (Marriott) Newton, MA:  Thurs Aug 22 nd  12pm-2pm PLEASE RSVP - Vanguard Symposium - Marriott Long Wharf – Boston, MA:  Thurs, Oct 24 th  9:30am–3pm:   RESERVE A SPOT NOW and you'll receive an email invite. Additional details to follow. Or at the FPA-NE NexGen event: - FPA NE NexGen Presents Build Your Client Service Team (formally Cross Industry Networking): Lily's Boston (Financial) Thus, Aug 8 th  5pm – 7pm - one of FPA's most popular events of the season! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/t3jvpz5 [lp.constantcontactpages.com]   Investment Advisory Research Center OCTOBER 2022 Individual bonds versus bond funds: Our thoughts on the advisory practice and client outcomes Key takeaways • Forecasting markets accurately is difficult. A much more reliable prediction to make: What questions clients will ask during periods of rising interest rates. Inevitably, rising rates environments prompt a flood of inquiries about whether advisors and their clients are better off purchasing individual bonds or pooled products, such as mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These questions stem directly from the “principal at maturity” myth, which argues that bond funds will sell bonds at a loss when rates rise, while portfolios of individual bonds can be held to maturity and avoid losses. • Ultimately, bond funds operate the same way as portfolios of individual bonds when cash flows are being reinvested. However, the former generally offer greater return opportunities, lower transaction costs, and higher liquidity—as well as time savings for your practice—than comparable portfolios of individual bonds. Thus, advisors pursuing portfolios of individual bonds should expect to pay greater direct and indirect costs for maintaining complete control of client bond portfolios. The price tag for this control is higher for buyers of municipal and corporate bonds than for buyers of U.S. Treasuries. • Given the higher risks and costs associated with portfolios of individual bonds, and the time they take to manage, most advisors are better served by low-cost mutual funds and ETFs. Particularly in the case of municipal and corporate bonds, it is likely that only clients with enough resources to build a portfolio of comparable scale to a mutual fund (or ETF) can afford to pay the costs for these control advantages. • Consider this report as a resource to inform your client discussions—either for proactive conversations about fixed income portfolio decisions, or to satisfy questions and concerns clients bring to you. For clients who may be partial to holding individual bonds for emotional reasons, the following analysis provides you with empirical data points that could guide them to a more beneficial approach. We also believe the strategies outlined herein can ultimately empower you with more time for higher-value activities, such as deepening client relationships. Authors: Ted Dinucci, CFA | Chris Tidmore, CFA, CPA | Chris Pettit, CFA Acknowledgments: The authors extend our thanks to Elizabeth Muirhead, CFA, and Edward Saracino for their contributions to this report, and to Donald G. Bennyhoff, CFA, and Scott J. Donaldson, CFA, for their prior research, which greatly informed this paper. 2 Introduction The market and economic backdrop today appear highly uncertain, with the highest inflation in 40 years, a series of large rate hikes from the Federal Reserve, and Russia's war in Ukraine, to name a few factors. Understandably, the confluence of these events has led to significant market volatility. It's also led some investors to question the merits of pooled bond vehicles and to ask whether they may be better served by directly owning a portfolio of individual bonds. In some cases, there can be benefits to owning individual bonds, for instance, a nominal immunization strategy where the goal is matching portfolio cash flows to liabilities. However, for the vast majority of advisors and the investors they serve, the likely appeal of individual bonds is largely based on the principal at maturity myth, and embracing it is likely to diminish returns, diversification, and return on your time. This paper offers our perspective on the primary advantages bond funds have over portfolios of individual bonds in the three key regards of returns, diversification, and return on your time (in exchange for less control over individual securities).1 More important, for the vast majority, accessing fixed income via low- cost active or passive funds is likely to provide better outcomes than the direct ownership of individual bonds—even with the hurdle of ongoing management fees. However, we'll first address the flaws in the principal at maturity myth, since this misconception is what generates so much interest in the topic. FIGURE 1. Benefits of choosing either a bond fund or individual bond BOND FUNDS INDIVIDUAL BONDS INCREASED CONTROL ✓ INCREASED DIVERSIFICATION ✓ INCREASED RETURN OPPORTUNITIES ✓ LOWER TRANSACTION COSTS ✓ 1 Vanguard 2017. 3 FIGURE 1. Benefits of choosing either a bond fund or individual bond BOND FUNDS INDIVIDUAL BONDS INCREASED CONTROL ✓ INCREASED DIVERSIFICATION ✓ INCREASED RETURN OPPORTUNITIES ✓ LOWER TRANSACTION COSTS ✓ The principal at maturity myth Holding an individual bond to maturity offers little to no financial benefit to you or your clients versus a pooled product when cash flows are reinvested, as often occurs in laddered individual bond strategies.2 Both portfolios operate in a similar way, but the laddered portfolio is likely to incur greater trading costs and have less diversification. The way that advisors account for laddered bonds in their client statements—by not marking the bonds to their current value, in order to avoid recognizing a paper loss—helps to reinforce the behavioral bias and may mitigate business risk for the advisor. Ultimately, bond prices are inversely related to changes in interest rates: When interest rates rise, the bond's price falls, and vice versa. This is because a bond's coupon payments are typically fixed at issuance, leaving price as the only variable that can be adjusted to make the bond's yield competitive with that of newly issued bonds of similar risk and maturity. This is illustrated in Figure 2. If 10-year bonds are currently yielding 4%, the price of a 2% coupon bond—to be competitive—must decline to a level that results in a 4% yield-to-maturity. In this example, that price is 83.65% of the face value (or $836.50 per $1,000 face value). The 2% bond would provide the same return as the 4% coupon bond trading at par, but some of the return would come from the bond's appreciation from $836.50 to its $1,000 value at maturity, as opposed to the coupon payments. This price adjustment punctures the common myth that holding an individual bond to maturity will provide a financial benefit to your clients. Absent transaction costs, when interest rates change, prices adjust so that total returns will be equal from that point forward, regardless of whether the bond is held to maturity or sold at the prevailing market price with the proceeds reinvested. FIGURE 2. How bond prices adjust to keep yields-to-maturity the same A comparison of hypothetical bonds with 10 years to maturity Coupon (annual interest payment) 6% 4% 2% Market price as a percentage of face value 116.35% 100% 83.65% Yield to maturity 4% 4% 4% Source: Vanguard. This hypothetical illustration does not represent any particular investment and the rate is not guaranteed. FIGURE 3. Total returns closely match starting yields, regardless of whether prices are above (or below) par 14.0% 12.0% 10.0% 8.0% 6.0% 4.0% 2.0% 0.0% 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 Forward annualized return versus starting yield Starting yield Forward annualized return when starting price is above par Forward annualized return when starting price is below par Figure 3 demonstrates this point by comparing the forward annualized return for the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, adjusted for duration, with its starting yield. Here, it is readily apparent that future returns closely track starting yields. Moreover, the narrative doesn't change whether the index is trading above or below par. Therefore, when evaluating bonds with the same characteristics but with different coupon payments, it is always best to compare their yields to maturity.3 Notes: Returns represent the annualized return on the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index using monthly data for the period that aligns with the index's starting modified adjusted duration, rounded to the nearest month. For instance, if on December 31, 2005, the duration on the index was 5 years, the forward annualized return would be from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2010. Yields represent the index's yield to worst (YTW) at the start of each calculation period. YTW is a measure for the lowest possible yield that may be earned on a bond absent the issuer defaulting. The last observation in the figure is September 30, 2015, because after that date the index's starting duration is longer than the time series. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. The performance of an index is not an exact representation of any particular investment, as you cannot invest directly in an index. Sources: Vanguard analysis of Bloomberg data, as of March 2022. 2 Laddering refers to building a portfolio of bonds with a range of maturities. 3 Yield-to-maturity is the percentage rate of return on a bond, assuming that the bond is held to maturity. For bonds that may be called prior to their stated maturity, yield-to-worst is a preferable measure, as it accounts for the bond's call feature and represents the lowest possible yield that may be earned assuming no default. 4 As mentioned, this principal at maturity myth typically surfaces only when interest rates rise or are expected to rise. If rising rates mean there is a financial benefit to holding bonds to maturity, then falling rates should mean there is a benefit to selling them and reinvesting the proceeds in new bonds. Thus, an active trading strategy would be preferred over a simple buy-and-hold, laddered bond portfolio to take advantage of the market inefficiency. Ironically, this environment has been the norm for the past 20-plus years, yet the trading concept has not been endorsed by the investment community. One doesn't hear that when interest rates are falling, an open-end mutual fund or ETF with no set maturity date is the preferred structure. Thus, the appeal of holding a bond to maturity is likely emotional, as by not selling a bond at a discount to par, your clients are able to avoid the mental roadblock of “recognizing” a loss. Rather than let this behavioral bias win, advisors can seize this as an opportunity to flex their coaching muscles and leverage the trust they've built with clients to help produce better outcomes. Consider this analogy: Just because you chose not to sell your house when prices dipped does not mean it's worth more than the home of your neighbors, who did sell. The same logic applies to fixed income—whether the bonds are held individually, in a bond fund, or in a separately managed account (SMA).4 Diversification can mean higher returns for similar levels of risk In fixed income investing, diversification among issuers, credit qualities, and term structures is a primary consideration for municipal and corporate bonds. For laddered bond portfolios, issuance calendars do not offer consistent access to all types of bonds. On the contrary, with bond funds, greater diversification is possible because of the larger pool of investable assets and the continuous investment in new offerings. This, coupled with the professional staff needed to conduct risk, trade, and credit analysis allows funds to seek return opportunities farther out on the credit quality spectrum than is possible for an advisor. In the case of the latter, their clients may be seriously affected if even one issuer in their (much smaller) portfolio encounters problems. In the case of corporate bonds (and munis), the dynamic nature of credit risk makes it essential to diversify issuer- specific risk. The price volatility that results from a change in an issuer's credit rating is typically asymmetrical: When a credit downgrade occurs, a bond usually will drop much further in price than it would rise on news of an upgrade. This means that for holders of individual corporate bonds, the penalty for choosing a bond that is downgraded is usually greater than the reward for choosing one that gets upgraded. Professional fund managers who are fully focused on credit analysis may be better suited to spot these trends sooner and avoid the negative effects of downgrades and defaults. FIGURE 4. Incremental pickups in yields available relative to AA rated corporates Average option-adjusted spread Average cumulative defaults 0.0% 0.2% 0.4% 0.6% 0.8% 1.0% 1.2% 1.4% 1.6% 0.0% 0.5% 1.0% 1.5% 2.0% 2.5% 3.0% 3.5% 4.0% AA rated Broad investment-grade Credit quality 0.98% 0.55% As a result, many individual bond portfolios exhibit a higher-quality bias relative to bond funds because of the inability to fully benefit from diversification. As shown in Figure 4, higher return opportunities, in terms of incremental yield, are available beyond AA rated corporates to compensate for the low, but always possible, risk of default—even when staying within the corporate investment-grade universe. A more diversified approach that spans the spectrum of investment-grade corporates can translate into a meaningful increase in yield without sacrificing the primary role of high-quality fixed income in a portfolio—acting as a ballast to risk assets. It should be noted that diversification of credit quality can also be achieved through passive exposure. Notes: Average option-adjusted spreads (OAS) cover the period of January 1997 to April 2022. AA rated as represented by ICE BofA US Corporate Index Option-Adjusted Spread; and broad investment-grade as represented by ICE BofA US Corporate Index Option-Adjusted Spread. OAS is a measure of the difference in yield of a bond and the comparable risk-free rate, adjusted to account for any embedded option. Analysis begins with AA rated corporates, as there are only two AAA rated corporate issuers. Average cumulative defaults are calculated by FitchRatings and represent the 10-year average cumulative defaults for the period of January 1990 to December 2021. Default rates are calculated on an issuer or security basis as opposed to dollar amounts. Sources: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, FitchRatings, and Vanguard analysis, as of April 2022. 4 Separately managed accounts are investment portfolios that are directly owned by an investor and managed by a professional investment firm. 5 FIGURE 5. Growth of hypothetical $1 million initial investment from January 1997 Ending wealth in (million USD) $3.2 $3.3 $3.4 $3.5 $3.6 $3.7 $3.8 $3.9 $4.0 AA corporates Broad I-G corporates $4.1 $4.2 Ending wealth with AA corporates Excess wealth with lower quality Figure 5 translates the lost return opportunities in Figure 3 into actual excess wealth created by expanding the investment opportunity set beyond AA rated bonds.5 For a long-term investor, being broadly invested in investment-grade corporates would have produced an additional $400,000 of nominal wealth, given a hypothetical, initial $1 million investment in 1997, relative to the same investment in AA rated corporates. Moreover, through broad diversification, as an advisor, you would be able to increase your client's long-term expected returns for their fixed income holdings, while significantly reducing single-issuer risk and still maintain high overall credit quality. Notes: Figure assumes a hypothetical initial $1 million investment on January 1, 1997, and held until April 30, 2022. AA corporates as represented by ICE BofA 5–10 Year AA US Corporate Index; and broad I-G corporates as represented by ICE BofA 5–10 Year US Corporate Index. Sources: Vanguard analysis of Morningstar data, as of April 2022. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. The performance of an index is not an exact representation of any particular investment, as you cannot invest directly in an index. Transaction costs are real, but often go overlooked All bond portfolios incur costs. Though the management cost component often receives the lion's share of attention because it is readily apparent and known in advance, it also represents only one part of the equation. Less scrutinized, but similarly detrimental to long-term financial outcomes are transaction costs (e.g., bid-ask spreads). Ultimately, bid-ask spreads tend to vary by trade size and bond sector, and the size of the spread is typically larger for small transactions. Bond mutual funds and ETFs buy and sell large quantities of bonds, and these large transactions can command higher prices for sales and lower prices for buys. So long as the size of the spreads paid or received are inversely related to purchase lot size, bond funds have a transaction cost advantage over individual bond portfolios. The benefits of scale are most significant in the municipal bond market, but still relevant and tell a similar story to that of corporates. Figure 6 illustrates this point. It shows that in the municipal bond market, the spread for a retail trade (less than $100,000 per bond) on average has been consistently higher than that for an institutional trade. Specifically, between January 2019 and April 2021 the effective spread for transactions with a par value between $25,001 and $100,000 averaged 56.4 basis points (bps), while transactions with a par value of over $1 million averaged 20.2 bps. This differential translates to lower total return for clients who are not able to transact at scale.6 Additionally, large firms, such as Vanguard, are able to get the broadest access to bonds in the primary market, so it's not only about the size of the trade and lower costs, but also what bonds one gets to purchase. This is especially important as there tends to be a drop-off in liquidity as time passes from issuance. FIGURE 6. Spreads are significantly wider for retail trades relative to institutional trades (bps) $10,000 or less $10,001- $25,000 $25,001- $100,000 $100,001- $1 million $1 million+ 20.2 56.4 35.5 63.6 81.9 In the end, higher spreads translate into lower returns. Whether creating a taxable or tax-exempt bond portfolio for a client, the basic decision comes down to this: Does the fund expense ratio detract less from the portfolio's total return than (1) the return surrendered by a higher credit-quality bias, if one exists, (2) the default risk, if there is no quality bias, or (3) the additional transaction costs? It would be rare for the fund expense ratio (particularly in the case of a lower-cost bond fund) to be larger than the other costs. Notes: The above figure shows the average effective spread for municipal bond transactions of various sizes from January 2019 to April 2021. Effective spread is a measure of customer transaction costs and is computed daily for each bond as the difference between the volume-weighted average dealer-to-customer buy and sell price, and is then averaged across bonds using equal weighting. Sources: MSRB data and Vanguard analysis. 5 Though an advised client's fixed income portfolio is unlikely to be comprised of only intermediate-term (5- to 10-year maturity) U.S. corporate bonds. 6 As a simple example, if constructing an initial bond portfolio with an average duration of five years and transaction costs of 50 bps, it would translate to 10 bps per year. 6 Control of the portfolio One, or perhaps the only, advantage of self-directed individual bond portfolios and, to some extent, SMAs over pooled vehicles is the owner's ability to influence portfolio decisions. The motivation for maintaining control generally falls into three camps: strict portfolio guidelines that place firm restrictions on portfolio characteristics, such as credit-quality (e.g., all-AA portfolio) or limits on derivatives usage; matching portfolio cash-flows with specific liabilities (e.g., cash-flow matching); and tax concerns. Given the inflexibility of the first, and presumably, high-level of certainty of the second, we'll focus on the potential tax considerations, as certain common beliefs may be overstated and therefore warrant a discussion. Regarding taxes: Because clients directly own the bonds in an SMA or a laddered bond portfolio, as their advisor you can use any net losses from individual bond positions for tax purposes to partially offset your client's earned income or to offset realized capital gain liabilities from other investments. A mutual fund or ETF, on the other hand, cannot pass through realized losses to its shareholders. Instead, the fund uses realized losses against realized gains, and carries forward any excess losses to be used against future gains. Although this may defer the pass-through of losses, it provides long-term tax efficiency to the pooled structure. In addition, as the advisor, you have a further option: You can sell your clients' fund shares to realize a loss where applicable. Regarding individual bond portfolios or SMAs, another factor to consider is that to take advantage of losses in these accounts, you will incur transaction costs for your clients on both the sale of the current bond and the purchase of the new bond. Though all the above applies to both taxable and tax- exempt bonds, in terms of the latter, there is often the additional consideration of alternative minimum taxes (AMT). With an individual bond portfolio or SMA, the portfolio can be tailored to bonds that are exempt from AMT or specific to issues from your client's home state. While this is true, it is important to acknowledge that there are currently a number of state-specific vehicles available for your clients—particularly in states with high tax rates. Also, though it's sometimes forgotten, the key point that advisors should be concerned with is seeking to maximize client after-tax returns, rather than with minimizing taxes. Bonds issued outside a client's home state and bonds subject to AMT often carry higher yields to maturity. As a result, your clients may well get higher after- tax returns from a portfolio including such bonds. In addition, clients gain from increased diversification—an important benefit. With the preceding considerations in mind, it may be impractical to transition clients from their existing SMA solutions or portfolios of individual bonds into a primarily fund-aligned strategy. For advisors that already utilize an SMA or construct their own bond sleeves, a bond fund can serve as a strong complement—by providing some additional liquidity to the portfolio and a solution for reinvesting periodic cash flows from their individual bond holdings (or SMAs) to reduce potential cash drag. Conclusion For the reasons described in this paper, the vast majority of advisors who invest for their clients are best served through low-cost bond funds. Only those advised clients with the resources to achieve scale comparable to that of a mutual fund should consider putting certain control features ahead of the benefits that a pooled investment vehicle offers. Funds generally provide better diversification, greater return opportunities, lower transaction costs, and higher liquidity for your clients. For advisors, the time savings from outsourcing the day-to-day portfolio management can be reinvested in higher returning opportunities, such as deepening client relationships and growing your practice. Although bonds that are held directly can provide certain advantages over bond mutual funds—primarily related to control over security-specific decisions—such control comes at a cost. To construct an individual bond portfolio, an advisor must assign a very high value to the control benefits to justify the higher costs and additional risks involved. 6 7 References Bennyhoff, Donald, Scott Donaldson, Jamese Dunlap, and Daren Roberts, 2017. A topic of current interest: Bonds or bond funds? Valley Forge, Pa.: The Vanguard Group. Bennyhoff, Donald G., 2009. Municipal bond funds and individual bonds. Valley Forge, Pa.: The Vanguard Group. Donaldson, Scott J., 2009. Taxable bond investing: bond funds or individual bonds? Valley Forge, Pa.: The Vanguard Group. Li, David, Charlotte L. Needham, and Jake Han, 2022. 2021 Transition and Default Studies. FitchRatings. Wu, Simon Z., and Nicholas J. Ostroy, 2021. Transaction Costs During the COVID-19 Crisis: A Comparison between Municipal Securities and Corporate Bond Markets. Washington, D.C., Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board. Connect with Vanguard® advisors.vanguard.com • 800-997-2798 All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. Be aware that fluctuations in the financial markets and other factors may cause declines in the value of your account. There is no guarantee that any particular asset allocation or mix of funds will meet your investment objectives or provide you with a given level of income. Bond funds are subject to the risk that an issuer will fail to make payments on time and that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates or negative perceptions of an issuer's ability to make payments. Investments in bonds are subject to interest rate, credit, and inflation risk. Although the income from municipal bonds held by a fund is exempt from federal tax, you may owe taxes on any capital gains realized through the fund's trading or through your own redemption of shares. For some investors, a portion of the fund's income may be subject to state and local taxes, as well as to the federal Alternative Minimum Tax. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss. CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute. We recommend that you consult a tax or financial advisor about your individual situation. Vanguard is investor-owned, meaning the fund shareholders own the funds, which in turn own Vanguard. © 2022 The Vanguard Group, Inc. All rights reserved. U.S. Patent No. 6,879,964. FAIBVBF 112022

Understanding market trends empowers investors to make strategic, data-driven decisions. By staying informed, investors can identify profit opportunities and foresee risks, allowing for proactive portfolio adjustments to mitigate potential losses. Bill Baruch (⁠@bill_baruch⁠), President and Founder of Blue Line Futures, joins podcast hosts Jim Iuorio and Bob Iaccino to stress the importance of capital preservation during market downturns and the benefits of compounding gains over time. He also highlights the attractiveness of fixed-income investments and the need for innovative investment strategies. The discussion covers tech earnings, market rotation, small-cap performance, and the outlook for chip stocks. They also explore strategies for outperforming the S&P, the role of bond funds, the impact of interest rates, and gold's performance Takeaways Tech earnings have been mixed, with some companies missing expectations and causing market volatility. The rotation in the market, particularly the move from large-cap tech stocks to small caps, has been significant. Protecting capital during market downturns is crucial for long-term success. Fixed income investments can be attractive in the current market environment. Thinking outside the box and considering alternative investment strategies can lead to better outcomes. Investing in a bond fund can be a good alternative to keeping money in a money market account, especially during periods of interest rate cuts. Managing duration properly is key to achieving good performance in bond funds. Gold prices can be influenced by factors such as economic data from China, the strength of the Japanese yen, and the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decisions. Personal health and diet choices can have a significant impact on energy levels and overall well-being. Investors should stay informed about market trends and consider different investment strategies to achieve their financial goals. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Tech Earnings 01:22 The Rotation in the Market 04:04 The Performance of Small Caps 07:02 Outlook for Chip Stocks 11:44 Signs of Reversal in the Trade 14:08 Market Sell-Off and Buying Opportunities 21:49 Importance of Protecting Capital 25:18 Thinking Outside the Box in Investment Strategies 26:55 Outperforming the S&P with Lower Drawdowns 28:07 The Role of Bond Funds in Portfolios 29:35 Understanding the Impact of Interest Rates 35:16 Analyzing Gold's Performance 45:00 The Importance of Personal Health and Diet Choices 50:15 Staying Informed and Considering Different Investment Strategies

AI can enhance impact investing - investments generating social and environmental impact alongside financial returns - by improving data analysis, decision-making, and impact assessment. However, it's crucial to mitigate risks and align AI tools with core principles to avoid systemic biases. Today's Stocks & Topics: HDSN - Hudson Technologies Inc., Market Wrap, Dollar Cost Averaging, COWZ - Pacer U.S. Cash Cows 100 ETF, GE - GE Aerospace, AI in Finance: The Future of Impact Investing?, The KPP Premium Newsletter, Inflation and Job Market, INTC - Intel Corp., RCI - Rogers Communications Inc. Cl B, Key Benchmark Numbers and Market Comments for: Treasury Yields, Gold, Silver, Oil and Gasoline, United States Bureau of Mines, NAC - Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund, Bond Funds.Our Sponsors:* Check out eBay Auto: www.ebay.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What Is The Bond Market and What Are Bond ETFs? CPI is “cooling off” which means inflation is trending closer to the Fed's target, which means a rate cut MAY be in our future! What does that mean? Well if the Fed, you know, good ol "Papa Powell" who we keep talking about, well if they actually go through with cutting rates this is what happens. Interest rates for things like home loans get lower, but that means those high yield savings account rates also get lower. So where do you stash your cash and still get those great returns? Bonds. More specifically, we're looking at Bond ETFs. We've talked about different types of low risk investing on Ep. 31 about Brokerage CDs but we want y'all to know about all the ways you can make your money make money! Side Note Check out Jessica Inskip's most recent appearance on the ⁠Schwab Network Episode⁠ where her worlds collide. The Bond Market Ok, so apparently there is not only a stock market, but also a Bond market. Where do we begin? Need our listeners to know a few things:  You cannot time market, but you can prepare  We are not financial advisors, investing is personal. This is not that. We are here for educational and information purposes only.  OK, let's talk about what happened, and define the SEP - series of economic projections.  Most recent: https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/files/fomcprojtabl20240612.pdf Different ways to lock in rates:  CDs Treasurys  Municipal Bonds  Corporate Bonds  Bond Funds  https://www.ishares.com/us/strategies/bond-etfs/build-better-bond-ladders Ratings Guide:  https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/investment-products/fixed-income-bonds/bond-ratings#:~:text=Investment%20grade%20and%20high%20yield,rated%20Ba1%2FBB%2B%20and%20lower. Still Have More Questions or a Comment? 

In this episode we answer emails from Stuart, George and MyContactInfo.  We discuss a follow-up on another listener's accumulation portfolio, the foibles of trying to predict future interest rates and common fallacious reasoning, levered inverse treasury bond funds and other funds that do well in rising interest rate environments, and a follow up on our target date fund rant episode (#333).Links:Portfolio Visualizer Analysis of UPRO and synthetic alternatives:  Backtest Portfolio Asset Allocation (portfoliovisualizer.com)TestFol Analysis with an inverse treasury bond exposure:  testfol.ioSupport the Show.

It was one of those losing days on Wall Street as a bunch of pressure came down on the equities chief among them worries about NO rate cut in 2024.  We kick things off with that story and make sure you click through for a conversation about using AI in the workplace. My guest is Wade Britt from Baton Global. We've all heard the horror stories but what good can Artificial Intelligence bring to your job? We had questions...lots of them.  Finally, if you want to reach out to us on Social Media you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today: Interest Rates, Bond Funds and Wall Street; Drag performers are organizing and why; More consolidation news this time it is about oil; The Wall Street Report; Crude oil sank and the yield on the 10-Year Treasury gained; Another major retailer cuts prices. For the interview you'll meet Our guest, Wade Britt from Baton Global who is here to give us the good news about using AI in the workplace. And you can bet we had...questions.  Many of them. To hear that conversation CLICK THIS LINK.  Let's go! 

As interest rates have risen, more and more people are interested in buying bonds. Individual government bonds can be a useful tool to lock in a high rate. But do individual bonds really make more sense than bond funds? --- Get a FREE share

This week's show covers Bill Gross' latest missive on total return bond funds, how to avoid gift tax limits, whole vs. term life, and lump-sum investing vs. dollar-cost-averaging.  Our producer is remodeling his studio, we'll be back with a new show May 24th.  

In this episode we answer emails from Kimbrough from Anchorage and anonymous Visitors from British Columbia and Denver.  We discuss fish hatching and slaughterhouses, long term treasury bond funds, the inherent problems and inefficiencies with many popular but inflexible withdrawal plans, and how we use our flexible 3-1-1 guidelines to match and maximize spending, fixing a cash hoarding problem and why you want a growth/value split in your stock allocations.Links:Security Analysis Podcast with Yours Truly:  Frank Vasquez: Risk Parity Investing Part 2 (securityanalysis.org)VSG's Weird Portfolio:  Weird Portfolio – Portfolio ChartsMerriman Best-In-Class ETFs:  Best-in-Class ETF Recommendations | Merriman Financial Education Foundation (paulmerriman.com)Merriman Podcast re Best-In-Class ETFs:  Best in Class ETF 2024 Updates (paulmerriman.com)Support the Show.

In this episode we answer emails from Andrew, Sean, and MyContactInfo.  We discuss QDSIX and other AQR funds and their approaches, good and bad uses of bond ladders, and macro-issues pertaining to projected global population declines in the future.And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the seven sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio.Additional links:QDSIX fact page:  AQR Diversifying Strategies Fund - QDSIXBen Carlson Article on Bond Funds vs. Bond Ladders:  Owning Individual Bonds vs. Owning a Bond Fund - A Wealth of Common SenseNiall Ferguson Article:  Global Population Collapse Isn't Sci-Fi Anymore: Niall Ferguson - BloombergShock of Gray Book:  Shock of Gray: The Aging of the World's Population and How it Pits Young Against Old, Child Against Parent, Worker Against Boss, Company Against Rival, and Nation Against Nation by Ted C. Fishman | GoodreadsHans Rosling's Factfulness:  Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling | GoodreadsHans Rosling Video on Population: Why the world population won't exceed 11 billion | Hans Rosling | TGS.ORG (youtube.com)Hans Rosling Factfulness Video:  The mindset of factfulness | Hans Rosling | TGS.ORG (youtube.com)Happy Pod:  BBC World Service - Global News Podcast, The Happy Pod: The gift of sightPortfolio Charts Withdrawal Rates Article:  How to Harness the Flowing Nature of Withdrawal Rate Math – Portfolio ChartsPortfolio Charts Portfolio Matrix Comparison Tool:  Portfolio Matrix – Portfolio ChartsPortfolio Charts Portfolio Risk-Return Comparison Tool:  Risk And Return – Portfolio ChartsSupport the show

On this week's Money Matters, Scott and Pat explain where you can go to find out whether a financial advisor is legit. A caller with three adopted grandchildren asks whether his wife's Social Security benefit can replace death benefits the grandchildren are currently receiving. A retiree from Texas wants to know whether his portfolio has too much cash in it. Finally, Scott and Pat explain the advantages of wash sales, and help a caller decide whether to invest in bond funds.   Join Money Matters:  Get your most pressing financial questions answered by Allworth's CEOs Scott Hanson and Pat McClain live on-air! Call 833-99-WORTH. Or ask a question by clicking here.  You can also be on the air by emailing Scott and Pat at questions@moneymatters.com. Download and rate our podcast here.

Welcome to another mailbag episode. It's not a surprise that the value of bond funds has gone down with the high interest rates in the past couple of years. But is it a good enough reason to dump your bond funds over it? In this mailbag questions episode, we discuss PIMCO Total Return Instl.., the risks of dumping your bond funds, debt payments, and more. [03.34] Total return fund – Starting the conversation, Grant talks about the PIMCO Total Return Instl. and its status in recent years. [07.21] Bond funds – Things to consider about bond funds. [14.00] Risks – Grant explains why it's not a good idea to dump your bond funds just because they had a bad couple of years. [20.00] Paying off debts– Grant explains why it's not a good idea to take out all your bond funds and pay off your debts. [30.40] Great Depression – Grant tells a story about one of his clients and explains why taking out money and paying off debts can work for some people.   Resources SEC 30-Day Yield Definition, Formula, Calculation, Example investopedia.com/terms/s/secyield.asp   morningstar.com/funds/xnas/pttrx/quote

Listener Q&A where Andy talks about: For those who have solo 401(k) plans, when having to file Form 5500EZ is requiredWhat's tax gain harvesting and when it's beneficialHow to select between online banks that offer high yield savings accountsBonds vs bonds funds and what should be considered when figuring out how to invest the bond portion of your portfolioLinks in this episode:My company newsletter - Retirement Planning InsightsFacebook group - Retirement Planning Education (formerly Taxes in Retirement)YouTube channel - Retirement Planning Education (formerly Retirement Planning Demystified)Retirement Planning Education website - www.RetirementPlanningEducation.com

In this compilation program, Steve Peasley and Justin Klein field a variety of finance and investment questions from callers across the United States and around the world.Today's Stocks & Topics: 457b Plan, Investing Factors, Mortgages, Equity and Retirement, National Debt, Timing the Market, 401k Allocation, Dividend Reinvestment, The Stock Market, Credit Unions, Portfolio Management, Long And Short-term Debt, Bond Funds, How to Pay for Masters Degree, Roth IRA.Our Sponsors:* Check out Greenlight.com/investtalk and try Greenlight for free.* Check out Rosetta Stone for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com/TODAYAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Bonds are a ubiquitous part of a balanced portfolio and in recent years bond funds have become even more attractive to many investors. However, due to rising interest rates, bond funds are now losing their appeal.  One listener asks whether she should call it quits on her investment in bond funds. In this episode of Retirement Answer Man, Nichole and I will explore this and other questions from listeners like you.  Stick around to hear my conversation with Dr. Bobby Dubois about energy and our relationship with caffeine. Find out once and for all whether caffeine is as bad for you as they say. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN WHAT I READ IN OCTOBER [1:30] Books I read in October LISTENER QUESTIONS [5:01] Will it be a long way to get back to even on bond funds? [10:03] About the recommended withdrawal rate in retirement [12:12] How to figure out the net worth of a pension [14:41] A question about transferring IRA funds to HSA [16:23] Feedback on wisdom for our children [17:14] How far back should a newer listener go in the podcasts? [21:09] A comment on my YouTube video with Joe Saul-Sehy BRING IT ON WITH DR. BOBBY DUBOIS [22:20] 85% of people have caffeinated beverages each day [28:22] How much caffeine should you have each day [30:12] What happens to your brain on caffeine [39:37] What to do with this information TODAY'S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT [44:18] Join the Retirement Answer Man Goodreads group! Resources Mentioned In This Episode Join the Retirement Answer Man group on Goodreads BOOK - The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas BOOK - The Armor of Light by Ken Follett BOOK - Stillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday Rock Retirement Club Roger's YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement  by Roger Whitney Roger's Retirement Learning Center