Why would you invest in fixed income?
Fixed-income provides stability and regular cash flow, while stock investments offer growth over time, albeit at the expense of volatility. So a good investor can design a portfolio with both elements to meet their short- and long-term needs.
Potential benefits of fixed-income investing
“That's why fixed income is a great way to allocate capital, because it provides both income and return with stability,” Kyle says. Additionally, investing in fixed income can help balance out market volatility.
Active fixed-income management not only offers potential for enhanced returns but can also add value by aligning an investor's objectives with risks in several key areas—market structure, credit deterioration, dislocations, and dispersion—where index-tracking approaches may fall short.
Advantage and disadvantages of fixed income
This type of investment provides regular interest payments, which can help to smooth out cash flow fluctuations. Another major advantage is that fixed-income investments are generally less volatile than stocks and other investments.
Investing in fixed-income instruments can be beneficial even in a bull market due to attractive yields. Current interest rates offer real returns above expected inflation, making it a good time to lock in rates.
Equity markets offer higher expected returns than fixed-income markets, but they also carry higher risk. Equity market investors are typically more interested in capital appreciation and pursue more aggressive strategies than fixed-income market investors.
Investments that can be appropriate include bank CDs or short-term bond funds. If your investing timeline is longer, and you're willing to take more risk in order to potentially earn higher yields, you might consider longer-term Treasury bonds or investment-grade corporate or municipal bonds.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Provide investors with stable, predictable returns | Typically generate lower potential returns than stocks |
| Experience much less volatility than stocks | Come with interest-rate risk, as bond prices fall when market interest rates rise |
Fixed income securities also carry inflation risk, liquidity risk, call risk, and credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties. Any fixed income security sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss.
While equity markets have the potential of giving higher returns in the short run, the returns are not guaranteed and thus increases the risk. The fixed income markets, on the other hand, offer stable returns and thus lower risk, but the returns might also be modest.
Why would a risk taker type of investors prefer equities over fixed-income?
For investors, equity investments offer relatively higher returns than fixed income instruments. However, higher returns are accompanied by higher risks, which are made up of systematic risks and unsystematic risks.
Fixed-income securities and equities are popular investments with millions of investors in the United States. Fixed-income investments pay regular interest and tend to have less risk, making them favorable to risk-averse investors. Equities, on the other hand, can have high returns, but also tend to be riskier.
Treasuries are generally considered"risk-free" since the federal government guarantees them and has never (yet) defaulted. These government bonds are often best for investors seeking a safe haven for their money, particularly during volatile market periods.
The U.S. stock market is considered to offer the highest investment returns over time. Higher returns, however, come with higher risk. Stock prices typically are more volatile than bond prices. Stock prices over shorter time periods are more volatile than stock prices over longer time periods.
- High-yield savings accounts.
- Money market funds.
- Short-term certificates of deposit.
- Series I savings bonds.
- Treasury bills, notes, bonds and TIPS.
- Corporate bonds.
- Dividend-paying stocks.
- Preferred stocks.
Just because fixed income funds usually are less risky options doesn't mean there is no risk involved. As with stocks, your fixed income investment could be affected by external factors such as market conditions, inflation, or interest rates.
Reducing your cost of living can be one of the most strategic money moves when you're on a fixed income. This might look like staying in your area but moving to a home with a lower cost to maintain, like trading in the big house with high utility bills or property taxes for a more affordable, lower-maintenance home.
First, there is uncertainty with the cash flow of the bond because an expected five-year cash flow might end early. Second, if the bond is called when the interest rate is low, then the investor is subject to reinvestment risk.
Fixed-income securities usually have low price volatility risk. Some fixed-income securities are guaranteed by the government providing a safer return for investors. Cons: Fixed-income securities have credit risk, so the issuer could possibly default on making the interest payments or paying back the principal.
Fixed-income markets include not only publicly traded securities, such as commercial paper, notes, and bonds, but also non-publicly traded loans. Although they usually attract less attention than equity markets, fixed-income markets are more than three times the size of global equity markets.
Is fixed-income less risky than equity?
When investing in stocks, you have a greater chance of higher gains compared to fixed income products. However, there's also a lot more risk involved. There are zero guarantees with equity markets, so you could lose your initial investment if you choose the wrong products.
For investors, equity investments offer relatively higher returns than fixed income instruments. However, higher returns are accompanied by higher risks, which are made up of systematic risks and unsystematic risks.
When companies want to raise capital, they can issue stocks or bonds. Bond financing is often less expensive than equity and does not entail giving up any control of the company. A company can obtain debt financing from a bank in the form of a loan, or else issue bonds to investors.
Risk-averse investors focus on preserving their capital, so they are less willing to take risks for the potential of more significant gains. Investors who are risk averse may favor fixed-income assets such as bonds or stocks with lower volatility, among others.
The U.S. fixed income markets are the largest in the world, comprising 39.3% of the $138.6 trillion securities outstanding across…
