bonds

My name is Bond. Bond Bible. All jokes aside, bonds have been sorely underestimated. So many people forget that bond holders are creditors. So that when a company folds, shareholders lose out, but most often times bond holders get paid out. Ms. Cohen pulls no punches and is solid in her review of the bond world. I even like her inclusion of "Bowie" Bonds, the rock and roll bonds that were founded several years ago.

In all her talk I found her discussion light on leveraged bonds. Bond futures are also a viable means to enter this fixed income investment. I should know I've been doing it for 11 years.

That aside this is a one of kind book that no modern investor can do without.

My knowledge about the bond market has increased dramatically since reading "The Bond Bible." As an investor and CPA, I can manuver around some of the pitfalls and sink holes waiting for uneducated investors.

I highly recommend the book to anyone that already owns bonds or is thinking about investing in bonds.

"The Bond Bible" is a solid primer on bonds and bond trading for those who are not financial services professionals. Interest in fixed income investing has risen dramatically with the recent vicissitudes in the equity markets, but wise investors already had a portion of their portfolio assets in debt securities. Marilyn Cohen cites the rule of thumb that an investor should have a fixed income component equal in percentage to their age -- and while not an advocate of "rules of thumb" in general -- I agree. To steal a phrase from Warren Buffett -- it's often more important what you don't lose than what you make! The last two years in the equity markets have demonstrated the value of proper asset allocation, but before charging off to reallocate your investments into fixed income, read "The Bond Bible." A well managed bond element in your portfolio can reward you with income, capital appreciation, AND a return of principal. You won't see that in equities.