Last year was an extraordinary one for the bond market, and not in a good way. The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index — a proxy for the overall bond market — lost 2.2% in 2018, its worst performance since 1994. Investors who had considered bonds a safe haven were left reeling. This year, however, the bond market has rebounded, with the same index up nearly 9% as of September 2019. So, where does that leave investors who are considering bonds as part of their portfolio?
When shock rippled through the U.S. banking system this month, bonds again proved themselves to investors, according to Ashish Shah, co-chief investment officer of fixed income at Goldman Sachs Asset Management. "Bonds did what they were supposed to do — act as a safe haven," Shah said. "We saw a lot of people moving into Treasuries." The recent market volatility has caused some investors to turn to bonds as a way to stabilize their portfolio.
Investors searching for good news have certainly found some: The latest consumer price index report suggested inflation may have peaked in July and is now on the decline. This is good news for bond investors, as inflation erodes the value of fixed-income investments over time. However, investors should be cautious not to assume that inflation will remain low, as unexpected events can quickly cause inflation to rise.
One type of bond that is currently attracting attention is I bonds. These low-risk investments can provide a guaranteed return and protect against inflation. I bonds have a fixed rate and an inflation rate that is adjusted every six months based on the consumer price index. Investors will get an 0.9% fixed rate plus the inflation rate over the life of the savings bonds. While these bonds are not going to make investors rich, they can be a stable addition to a portfolio.
If you're looking to grow your wealth through investing, you can opt for lower-risk investments that pay a modest return or you can take on higher levels of risk in the hope of earning a higher return. Bonds fall into the lower-risk category, and while they may not offer the same potential for high returns as stocks, they can provide a steady income stream and help protect against market volatility.
For fixed-income earners, bonds can be a prudent investment option. When you invest in bonds, you are basically lending money to the issuer (such as a corporation or government) in exchange for interest payments. The issuer is obligated to pay back the principal when the bond matures. Bonds can be purchased individually or through a mutual fund or exchange-traded fund.
However, it's important to note that bonds do come with risk. Interest rate risk is one of the biggest risk associated with bonds. When interest rates rise, the value of existing bonds decreases, as investors can earn a higher return elsewhere. Credit risk is another concern, as bonds issued by companies or governments that are considered risk are more likely to default on their payments.
One trend that has emerged in the bond market is that short-term bonds are currently offering higher yields than longer-term bonds. This is unusual, as longer-term bonds typically offer higher yields to compensate investors for the added risk of holding the bond for a longer period of time. The reason for this could be that investors are more concerned about the short-term economic outlook and are therefore flocking to short-term bonds.
Despite the risk, bonds can be a valuable addition to a diversified portfolio. They can provide a stable income stream, protect against inflation, and act as a safe haven during times of market volatility. It's important for investors to do their research and consider their risk tolerance before investing in bonds or any other type of security.
In conclusion, while bonds may not be as exciting as stocks, they can be a safe and reliable investment option for those looking to diversify their portfolio and reduce risk. As with any investment, it's important to carefully consider the risk and benefits before making a decision. The bond market is constantly evolving, so it's important to stay informed of current trends and market conditions.
