Bonds & Fixed Income
Yields, duration, credit, and the fixed-income markets that anchor diversified portfolios.
A bond is a loan an investor makes to a government or company in exchange for regular interest payments and the return of principal at maturity. Bond prices move inversely to interest rates — when rates rise, existing bonds with lower fixed payments become less attractive and their prices fall, and the size of that swing is measured by duration, with longer-maturity bonds generally more rate-sensitive than shorter ones. Credit ratings from agencies like Moody's and S&P gauge the issuer's ability to repay, separating investment-grade debt from higher-yielding, higher-risk 'junk' bonds. Because bonds typically move differently than stocks, especially during equity downturns, they're commonly used to reduce overall portfolio volatility rather than purely to maximize returns.
Explore Bonds & Fixed Income
How Bond Yields Work and Why They Matter
Bond yields tell you the real return you can expect. Here is how coupon rate, current yield, and yield to maturity actually work.
By Allen Krewzz · July 4, 2026
Government Bonds vs Corporate Bonds: Which Should You Choose?
Government and corporate bonds serve different roles in a portfolio. Here is how they compare on risk, yield, and suitability.
By Tamanna Shaikh · July 4, 2026