Fundamentals of Bond Market

As stocks continue their roller-coaster ride, more Americans than ever turn to bonds for reliable income and safety of principal - often with little information on which fixed income vehicles will best suit their needs. In this environment, it is important to understand every detail of the fixed income markets-from rules and regulations that affect bond investors to proven fixed income asset allocation models, characteristics of popular bonds, call and convertible features, and more.

Fundamentals of the Bond Market is a contemporary, in - depth guidebook to understanding the ins and outs of today's surprisingly versatile bond marketplace. Plain-English analyses and explanations combine with checklists, charts, and graphs to provide information on:

• Bond mutual funds - Three steps to determine the best fund for any investor
• Corporate, Municipal, Convertible and Zero-Coupon Bonds - How, why and which to buy for individual portfolios
• Treasury securities - How and why to invest in T-bills, notes, and bonds
• Tips of the Trade -Techniques to calculate yields, buy and sell different types of bonds, and more

Contents

• Origins: The Markets and Their Beginnings
• Basics: Terms, Definitions, Trends, and Policies
• Beginnings: What Affects Prices?
• Catetgories: Types of Bonds
• Trading: Buying and Selling Bonds
• Analysis: Evaluating Bond Characteristics
• Risks versus Return: Enhancing Investment Performance
• Diversifyingf: Bond Mutual Funds
• Managing a Bond Portfolio
• Brokers: Investment Companies and Services
• Glossary
• Answer to Exercises
• Index