Delve into the world of bond Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) with our beginner’s guide. We demystify the complexities and unlock the potential benefits of this investment vehicle.
Bonds have historically been less popular than shares in Australia.This is partly due to the returns available in the sharemarket and partly due to the lower number of bond ETFs.
This is fast changing as bond ETFs open a new diversification asset.
Understanding bonds – the foundation
Bonds serve as loan agreements between investors and issuers, typically companies or governments.
Investors provide upfront capital in exchange for periodic interest payments, known as coupons, and the return of the principal amount upon maturity.
Unlike those stocks which primarily focus on capital appreciation, bonds offer a steady income stream.
Editor’s Note: Although those stocks that consistently pay high rates of dividends like NAB or CBA for example, (or passive income as these stocks are known to some), share some attributes similar to bonds.
Simplifying bond ETFs
Visualize an ETF as a diversified stock market basket encompassing various investments, including bonds.
They are as easily tradeable on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) as buying shares through your broker or fintech platform.
For this exercise, let’s focus on bonds issued by the Australian Commonwealth and State Governments and treasury corporations. These are the highest-quality bonds in Australia.
If you purchase one of these bonds, you’d benefit from receiving regular income streams. The interest is generally distributed quarterly.
An ETF that holds a basket of bonds issued by the Australian Commonwealth and State Governments and treasury corporations pays the ETF owner regular income.
An important point to note
Unsurprisingly, the risk of the Australian Commonwealth Government not paying interest on the bonds is exceedingly low.
This makes for a comparatively low risk. Therefore, the return or yield to maturity is commensurately lower than bond ETFs that invest in companies that issue bonds.
Functioning akin to individual stocks on an exchange, ETFs represent a portfolio of bonds, enabling investors to access diversified bond holdings through a single transaction.
How ETF bonds operate
There are generally two types:
Index-based Bond ETFs
These mirror specific bond market indices, such as the S&P/ASX Fixed Interest Index, but there are many more.
A bond ETF that replicates the holdings in this index would deliver a comparable income yield. Analogous to following a recipe, these ETFs emulate index compositions to achieve consistent performance.
Actively-managed ETFs
Less prevalent, these entail an active fund manager’s discretion in selecting bonds based on a fund manager’s market judgment.
The objective is to surpass benchmark index performance through strategic bond selection.
Advantages of bond ETFs for new investors
Diversification
Unlike individual bonds, which tether investment outcomes to a single issuer, bond ETFs spread risk across numerous bonds, enhancing portfolio stability and diversification.
Cost Efficiency
With lower fees compared to actively managed bond mutual funds, bond ETFs offer a cost-effective investment avenue.
Transparency
Investors gain visibility into ETF holdings, facilitating informed decision-making and performance tracking.
Liquidity
Bond ETFs afford the flexibility to trade throughout the day, akin to stocks, ensuring ease of market access.
Interest Rate Sensitivity
Bond prices exhibit an inverse relationship with interest rates. Fluctuations in interest rates can impact bond prices. More about this in a future series.
Suffice it to say, that with investors expecting falling interest rates in 2024, bond prices are on the move. Savvy bond investors began buying bond ETFs early this year in anticipation of interest rate cuts.
Credit Quality
Bond ETFs encompass bonds from diverse issuers with varying creditworthiness. Balancing return potential against default risk is pivotal. However, this is not a factor if buying an ETF holding Australian Commonwealth Government bonds.
Investment Objectives
Assessing risk tolerance and investment horizon is crucial when determining suitability for bond ETFs, which offer stability but potentially lower returns compared to equities.
Parting Wisdom
Bond ETFs serve as a gateway for beginners to navigate the bond market, offering diversification and income potential.
Prioritize due diligence, comprehend associated risks, and align your choices with overarching investment objectives to leverage bond ETFs effectively.
In Conclusion
Bond ETFs provide a convenient and accessible way for beginners to invest in the bond market.
By understanding their basics and keeping your investment goals in mind, you can leverage bond ETFs to build a more balanced and potentially income-generating portfolio if this is an objective for you.
JustStocks Advisor
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Disclaimer
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