Bond Fund Investing Basics for Income-Focused Portfolios

Chasing yield isn’t enough—here’s what income-focused investors need to understand before buying bond funds.
Bond Fund Investing Basics for Income-Focused Portfolios
Yield, duration, taxes: The bond fund basics that could protect your retirement income. Shutterstock
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Bond funds are often a great choice to provide income and reduce volatility in a portfolio, but evaluating them requires more than looking at yield alone. When used thoughtfully and especially in retirement, bond funds can provide steady income and stability.

However, bond funds are not savings accounts. Their prices move, distributions fluctuate, and behavior depends on interest rates and credit conditions. Unrealistic expectations might lead to emotional reactions during market swings.

Adam H. Douglas
Adam H. Douglas
Author
Adam H. Douglas is a journalist and writer specializing in personal finance and literature. His recent work explores money management, book reviews, veterinary medicine, and long-term financial planning. He currently resides in Prince Edward Island, Canada, with his wife of 30 years and his dogs and kitties.