Income Investing
Where to Find Yield in 2022
Where to Find Yield in 2022
I am sold on leveraged closed-end debt funds, junk bonds and floating-rate bank loan funds.
November 29, 2021
Don't Overlook Preferred Stocks
Don't Overlook Preferred Stocks
If you ignore preferred stocks out of fear or unfamiliarity, get in there. The rewards trounce the risks.
October 28, 2021
"Junk" Bonds Are Anything But
"Junk" Bonds Are Anything But
These bonds flourish way more than they falter and offer current yields of 4%.
September 30, 2021
Stay Above the Interest Rate Fray
Stay Above the Interest Rate Fray
Your best bets now are venerable, managed diversified bond funds. You'll get a fair yield and peace of mind.
August 26, 2021
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.
August 11, 2021
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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
Why I Like Ginnie Mae Funds Now
Why I Like Ginnie Mae Funds Now
A portfolio of mortgages should retain their value better than ordinary bonds if interest rates rise.
February 28, 2021
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
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