Bond-fund investors need to focus on duration, credit quality, and relative yields to better understand how much risk they're taking on, says Morningstar's Eric Jacobson.
Low bond yields have called into question the safety of the 4% withdrawal strategy, while other avenues for extra retirement income have their own pros and cons, says Morningstar's David Blanchett.
Morningstar's Eric Jacobson outlines three short-term bond funds that can protect against rate sensitivity, but mind the risks as such funds aren't cash substitutes.
Municipal coffers are recovering, but many bond investors still favor revenue bonds, particularly the essential purpose variety, over their general obligation brethren.
Judging from Wednesday's 312-point drop in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the equity market could be replacing the bond market as the new "vigilantes" who try to drive some sense into Washington, says Schwab's chief investment strategist Liz Ann Sonders.