Maximise returns using bond investment strategies

Bonds offer stable income streams but carry risks from shifting interest rates, inflation, and fluctuating credit markets. There are several smart bond investment strategies you can use to maximise returns and minimise these risks in today’s environment. 

Follow the strategic approaches outlined in this article to make your financial goals come true.

1. Managing interest rate risk

One of the primary risks of investing in bonds is interest rate risk. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall. Conversely, when rates decline, bond prices rise. 

The main driver is that as yields on newly issued bonds move up, the prices on existing bonds with lower fixed rates become less attractive. This dynamic makes interest rate risk management one of the most important components of bond investing strategies.

Here are the several effective bond investment strategies to minimise interest rate risks:

• Ladder maturities: Laddering bonds with staggered maturity hedges against rate shifts. Blending shorter-term bonds with longer-term bonds evenly distributes exposure. Maturities can be laddered over two to four years for more conservative portfolios or four to ten years for more aggressive approaches.
• Invest in shorter-term bonds: Limiting a portfolio to shorter-term bonds of one to five-year maturities reduces risks if interest rates rise. The tradeoff is that longer bonds traditionally have higher yields.
• Include floating rate bonds: Trading a portion of a portfolio in this kind of bond can offset rate risk. The yields on floaters adjust periodically as rates change.
• Manage duration: Limiting overall portfolio duration, a measure of rate sensitivity reduces risks as rates rise. Setting a moderate duration target of between four to six years is a common guideline.
• Use bond funds and ETFs: Bond mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) provide professional management and diversification across maturity levels. 
• Immunise the portfolio: Matching all cash flows from bonds to liabilities can immunise a portfolio from rate shifts once the liabilities come due. This protects the present value of required payments.

2. Mitigating inflation risks

Growing inflation can erode the returns of fixed-income investments. Wise investors and traders utilise bond investment strategies to counter inflation risks. Here are some practical examples. 

• Include TIPS: Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) are indexed to inflation levels. The principal value and interest payments adjust to maintain purchasing power as prices rise.
• Invest in I-Bonds: These savings bonds from the US Treasury pay interest tied to inflation rates. I-Bond yields combine a fixed rate with the inflation adjustment rate for protection.
• Utilise shorter terms: Limiting maturities to one to five years for part of a portfolio provides reinvestment flexibility at higher returns as inflation drives up rates.
• Include floating rate securities: The yields on floating rate bonds and leveraged bank loans track interest rates closely, providing an inflation hedge.
• Purchase municipal bonds: Since municipal bonds are tax-exempt, their inflation-adjusted returns are higher than taxable bonds with similar yields.
• Maintain broad diversification: Owning both inflation-linked and conventional bonds creates a diversified portfolio resilient to inflation shocks.
   

You might also like to read: Inflation And Recession - Can You Have Both?
 

3. Evaluating credit risk

Another central risk for bond investors is the creditworthiness of issuers. Defaults and credit rating downgrades can reduce bond values. Bond investment strategies for mitigating credit risks include:

Research issuer financials

When evaluating the creditworthiness of an individual or entity, it is essential to review their financial ratios that provide insights into their financial health. 

These ratios include debt levels, which indicate the amount of debt compared to assets or equity; earnings power, which measures the company’s ability to generate profits; cash flow coverage, which assesses the company’s ability to generate cash to cover its expenses; and leverage ratios, which determine the amount of debt relative to equity. 

Stick with investment-grade ratings

Bonds rated BBB or higher historically have lower default rates than high-yield bonds. Splitting a portfolio between investment grade and limited high-yield exposure balances risk and return.

Purchase credit default swaps

Default swaps are financial contracts that operate as a form of credit risk insurance against potential losses. These swaps allow investors to protect themselves from the possibility that the underlying bond may default, thereby avoiding the financial consequences of such an event. 

In exchange for paying a premium to the swap’s seller, the investor receives a payment if and when the underlying bond defaults. This payment, which is typically equal to the face value of the bond, helps to mitigate the financial impact of the loss.

Here’s an interesting read for you: What Is Price Slippage? 

4. Maintaining liquidity

The ability to buy and sell bonds readily is another consideration for maximising total returns:

Focus on larger issuances

Bond issuances with a value exceeding $1 billion will likely have greater trading activity, resulting in narrower bid-ask spreads. This is because larger bond issuances tend to attract more investors, which increases the demand for these bonds and makes it easier for traders to buy or sell them quickly. 

Additionally, larger issuances often come from more established companies with a track record of financial stability, which can further increase investor confidence and demand. All of these factors combined can result in more liquid and efficient trading for bonds with a value greater than $1 billion.

Monitor bid-ask spreads

The bid and ask prices of a bond issue reveal the availability of buyers and sellers and the ease with which they can trade the bonds. The bid price represents the highest price a buyer is willing to pay for the bond, while the asking price is the lowest price a seller is willing to accept. 

The difference between the two, known as the bid-ask spread, is a measure of liquidity. 

Tighter bid-ask spreads indicate that there are many buyers and sellers actively trading the bonds, which makes it easier for investors to buy or sell the bonds without incurring significant price fluctuations. 

On the other hand, wider bid-ask spreads suggest that there may be fewer buyers and sellers, which can make it more difficult to trade the bonds at a fair price.

Keep some cash reserves

A cash reserve is a buffer against unforeseen events and market fluctuations, enabling individuals and businesses to weather financial crises without having to liquidate assets or incur debt. 

Additionally, holding cash provides ready liquidity, allowing investors to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities when they arise without having to sell other assets. Therefore, maintaining a cash position is one of the prudent bond investment strategies to practice that can help individuals and businesses achieve their long-term financial goals while avoiding unnecessary risk.
 

5. Look for value opportunity bonds

Seeking out bonds in sectors that are relatively undervalued compared to their inherent quality and earnings potential is part of maximising returns. Specific segments of the bond market periodically fall out of favour and trade at discounts, creating value opportunities.

Some categories that can become underpriced include high-yield (junk) bonds, international bonds, and emerging market debt. When these segments are attractively valued, adding exposure can enhance portfolio returns.

Investors and traders often search for individual bonds that are trading below their fair value. By comparing a bond’s credit rating, default risk, and yield spreads to similar bonds, you can identify any issues priced at a discount. 

Further, performing fundamental analysis of issuers can uncover bonds with improving credit quality of earningsor earnings outlooks that have yet to be reflected in their prices.

Expand your knowledge with this write-up: What Does Bullish Mean In Trading?
 

Summing up

To achieve successful bond trading, it is important to prioritise risk management, diversification, liquidity, and value opportunities. The key factors to consider include:

• Researching to identify solid value opportunities and potential risks
• Diversifying across bond market segments, credit ratings, and maturities
• Limiting overall portfolio duration/interest rate sensitivity
• Having both passive index exposures and actively managed funds
• Reinvesting wisely as bonds mature

A strategic bond investing framework provides income stability while navigating changing economic environments. Taking a diligent and research-driven approach, you can work toward your long-term financial objectives despite shifting markets. 

You can learn more trading strategies at markets.com

It’s not enough to simply understand bond investment strategies as abstract ideas - we need to put them into practice in real-life situations. 

Don’t hesitate to apply the strategies you’ve learned from this article. Among the best brokers worldwide, markets.com provides a demo account that you can use to practise and explore online trading.

In addition to bond trading, there are numerous other trading strategies that you can learn. We have a vast range of financial assets, such as cryptocurrencies, indices, commodities and more, that require specific techniques. 

You can access our educational centre for free, where you will find easy-to-understand definitions of trading terms, a trading 101 course, and how-to guides to help you when you open an account at markets.com.

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When considering “CFD Bonds” for trading and price predictions, remember that trading CFDs involves a significant degree of risk and could result in capital loss. Past performance is not indicative of any future results. This information is provided for informative purposes only and should not be construed to be investment advice.”