| Every investor should consider bond investments | | | | are a much safer investment instrument. This |
| in their portfolio as it plays an important role in | | | | safety and stability of bonds act as a counter to |
| maintaining a well balanced portfolio. A bond is an | | | | the fluctuations common to stocks. That is why it |
| "IOU" issued by a corporation, government or | | | | makes sense when an investor is blending stocks |
| governmental agency to cover the money the | | | | with bonds. |
| bond holder has lent. Bonds are not as exciting as | | | | Investors should have a blend of stocks and |
| stocks but they do play a critical role in the | | | | bonds in their portfolio. Investors preferring more |
| economy and in keeping your investment portfolio | | | | risk should have higher percentages of stocks in |
| balanced. | | | | their portfolio, but most investors have a mix of |
| There are two sides of the investing coin -- | | | | stocks and bonds in their portfolio as bonds cover |
| stocks and bonds. An investor investing in stocks | | | | up the risks. |
| should also have a thorough knowledge of bonds. | | | | There are various options for the investor in |
| Bonds help keep your portfolio afloat in troubled | | | | bonds. He can invest in corporate bonds, |
| times, since they are the other side of the | | | | government bonds or municipal bonds. The most |
| investing coin. If a person owns stocks, he is a | | | | secure bond investments are the US Treasury |
| part owner of a company, whereas in case he is | | | | bonds. Backed by the US government, these |
| a bond holder he is a creditor of that company. | | | | bonds come in several maturities and |
| If we compare bonds with stocks we come to a | | | | denominations. |
| conclusion that bonds generally have a lower rate | | | | Blending stocks and bonds is a necessity for |
| of return than stocks, but the risk involved in | | | | every investor in order to minimize the risk of |
| investing in bond is comparatively low, as bonds | | | | the stock market. |