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Do You Know How to Structure Your Bond Portfolio?

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Do you know how to structure your bond portfolio? When companies issue debt, for example, they put out a spread of maturities and coupons. It reminds me of setting out the spread when sportfishing for sailfish. You have your three lines through the outriggers, for example, on port and starboard with kites keeping them on the surface. You have a couple lines off the stern at high and low depths trying to work the water column. You spread out your options.

When it comes to your bond ladder, you want to put a portfolio together that provides income while controlling the two main risks, credit quality, and interest rates. Once you have your initial setup, then you have the flexibility to move as opportunities are presented.

Action Line: There’s a lot to this stuff. Fishing and catching are not the same species. Let’s talk.

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E.J. Smith - Your Survival Guy

E.J. Smith is Founder of YourSurvivalGuy.com, Managing Director at Richard C. Young & Co., Ltd., a Managing Editor of Richardcyoung.com, and Editor-in-Chief of Youngresearch.com. His focus at all times is on preparing clients and readers for “Times Like These.” E.J. graduated from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, with a B.S. in finance and investments. In 1995, E.J. began his investment career at Fidelity Investments in Boston before joining Richard C. Young & Co., Ltd. in 1998. E.J. has trained at Sig Sauer Academy in Epping, NH. His first drum set was a 5-piece Slingerland with Zildjians. He grew-up worshiping Neil Peart (RIP) of the band Rush, and loves the song Tom Sawyer—the name of his family’s boat, a Grady-White Canyon 306. He grew up in Mattapoisett, MA, an idyllic small town on the water near Cape Cod. He spends time in Newport, RI and Bartlett, NH—both as far away from Wall Street as one could mentally get. The Newport office is on a quiet, tree lined street not far from the harbor and the log cabin in Bartlett, NH, the “Live Free or Die” state, sits on the edge of the White Mountain National Forest. He enjoys spending time in Key West (RIP JB) and Paris. Please get in touch with E.J. at ejsmith@yoursurvivalguy.com To sign up for my free monthly Survive & Thrive letter, click here.
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