Income Investing
Readers Find Some Weird Winners
Readers Find Some Weird Winners
Most of the time, I find flaws in offbeat investments with high distributions. But sometimes oddities have their day of glory.
July 30, 2021
The Tax-Exempt Train Rolls On
The Tax-Exempt Train Rolls On
A powerful force is propping up munis in 2021: U.S. prosperity.
June 25, 2021
Bonds: Be Choosy for the Rest of 2021
Bonds: Be Choosy for the Rest of 2021
Enough good things are happening in the economy and some fixed-income sectors (perhaps not T-bonds) to imply better second-half prospects.
May 26, 2021
What Is Preferred Stock, And Should I Buy It?
What Is Preferred Stock, And Should I Buy It?
Thinking of adding preferred stock to your portfolio? Read on for a breakdown of the pros and cons to buying preferred shares.
May 17, 2021
Should You Worry About Rising Interest Rates?
Should You Worry About Rising Interest Rates?
Look past the 10-year Treasury yield. Smart investors cast a wide net.
March 23, 2021
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How to Play a Steeper Yield Curve
How to Play a Steeper Yield Curve
The first of the year was a downer for corporate bonds and real estate and utility shares. It was strong for floating-rate loan funds.
January 28, 2021
The Janet Yellen Era: Chapter Two
The Janet Yellen Era: Chapter Two
Former Fed Chair Janet Yellen, if installed as Secretary of the Treasury as expected, should help to calm Main Street and Wall Street alike.
December 26, 2020
Bonds Will Deliver in 2021
Bonds Will Deliver in 2021
Don’t rush to withdraw any 2020 profits from the market. 2021 is looking good.
November 17, 2020
Squeezing Returns from Bank Shares
Squeezing Returns from Bank Shares
Common sense suggests that the market’s punishment of bank stocks is overdone.
October 31, 2020
Some Inflation Is Better Than None
Some Inflation Is Better Than None
A bit of inflation should be a plus for investors seeking higher income.
October 2, 2020
Qualified Dividends vs. Ordinary Dividends
Qualified Dividends vs. Ordinary Dividends
What are qualified dividends, and how do they differ from ordinary dividends? Here's how to determine which is which, and what that means for you.
September 16, 2020
Bonds Are Safer Than They Look
Bonds Are Safer Than They Look
Yes, there’s plenty of bad news: credit downgrades, bond defaults and dividend cuts. The solution is to find workarounds.
August 27, 2020
Pockets of Opportunity Still Lurk in Bonds
Pockets of Opportunity Still Lurk in Bonds
A rash of corporate debt downgrades lies ahead, but actual defaults will remain low. So, is the worst over?
June 4, 2020
Treasuries: America’s Best Product?
Treasuries: America’s Best Product?
Whatever you think about politics or politicians, in tough times investors will do well to bet on the government.
May 8, 2020
Stay Calm Amid Bond Market Chaos
Stay Calm Amid Bond Market Chaos
The risk is that you’ll lock your money in a low-yield prison just in time for normalcy to return to the financial markets.
April 3, 2020
The Income Rally Roars On
The Income Rally Roars On
Gripes about market risks now seem feeble. And sometimes the best moves are the ones you don’t make.
March 6, 2020
Beware the Roaring Twenties
Beware the Roaring Twenties
For the first time in years, valuations -- not black swans or politics or the Fed -- are a challenge.
January 30, 2020
The Yellen Era, Chapter Two
The Yellen Era, Chapter Two
The markets did not want extreme progressive acolytes steering economic policy. That worry has faded.
January 16, 2020
Taxable Munis? They’re Worth a Look
Taxable Munis? They’re Worth a Look
Sound describes the credit quality. But it doesn’t do justice to the stellar performance.
January 2, 2020
Stand By Your Bonds
Stand By Your Bonds
I’d be scared if I thought that interest rates would shoot up across the board and that the creditworthiness of borrowers is wilting. But I just don’t…
November 27, 2019
Go Ahead, Reach for Yield
Go Ahead, Reach for Yield
The best bets are in arcane areas such as commercial mortgage-backed securities, nonbank business lending and structured credit.
November 1, 2019
The Never-Ending Hunt for Yield
The Never-Ending Hunt for Yield
The prospects are good for corporate bonds, real estate investment trusts and utilities.
October 3, 2019
Municipals Rock On
Municipals Rock On
If there’s something negative to be said about muni bonds, I’ve heard it. And I’m still not buying this fear and loathing.
August 1, 2019
My All-Time Favorite Bond Funds
My All-Time Favorite Bond Funds
Few stock-fund managers match the S&P 500, but most fixed-income managers beat their index.
July 3, 2019
2019 Midyear Outlook for Income Investing
2019 Midyear Outlook for Income Investing
Between now and year-end, you can expect all to be quiet on the income front.
June 5, 2019