When talking about building a balanced investment mix, you might hear about “core fixed income.” But what does this mean, and is it a good idea for investors? Let’s explore core fixed-income investing to see its pros and cons and how it stacks up against other ways of investing.
What is a core fixed-income investment?
Core fixed-income investing means putting a big part of your money into a mix of safe bonds and other fixed-income stuff. These usually include corporate and government bonds and other low-risk, steady-income loans.
Advantages of core fixed-income investment
Core fixed-income investing offers several advantages that make it an attractive option for investors seeking stability and income. Below are some of the most important advantages this investment strategy provides:
- Stability and Consistent Income: Core fixed-income securities, such as government and high-quality corporate bonds, provide investors with a steady stream of income in the form of interest payments. Regardless of the state of the market, this steady cash flow can assist investors in meeting their financial commitments and needs.
- Lower Susceptibility to Market Fluctuations: Unlike stocks, which can experience significant price volatility, core fixed-income investments tend to be less affected by short-term market movements. Because of their stability, they are a vital aspect of a well-diversified portfolio, especially in times of market or economic volatility.
- Capital Preservation: Core fixed-income investments are often considered a haven for preserving capital. The relatively low risk associated with these securities makes them suitable for investors looking to protect their principal investment while generating income.
- Risk Reduction: Including core fixed-income securities in a portfolio helps investors effectively reduce overall portfolio risk. The overall performance of the portfolio may be less affected by stock market volatility due to the low connection between fixed income and stock returns.
Disadvantages of core fixed-income investment
Despite its many benefits, core fixed-income investment also has some drawbacks that investors should consider. You should consider the following drawbacks before deciding to employ this tactic:
- Lower Returns: When compared to riskier assets like equities, core fixed-income instruments generally offer lower returns. The yield on these assets might not be enough in a low-interest rate environment to satisfy investors’ long-term financial objectives, particularly when considering inflation.
- Interest Rate Risk: Core fixed-income investments are susceptible to interest rate risk. Bond prices typically decline in response to rising interest rates, resulting in financial losses for investors holding fixed-rate bonds. This risk can erode the value of a fixed-income portfolio and reduce overall returns.
- Inflation Risk: Inflation poses a significant risk to core fixed-income investors. If inflation outpaces the interest earned on fixed-income securities, the real purchasing power of investors’ income may decline over time. This can hurt the long-term value of the investment.
- Opportunity Cost: Investors who devote a large percentage of their portfolio to core fixed-income investments may be missing out on the potential gains associated with higher-yielding but riskier asset types. Balancing the need for stability with the desire for higher returns is a key consideration for investors when constructing their investment portfolios.
Core vs non-core fixed-income investment
Core fixed-income investment serves as the bedrock of a portfolio, emphasizing stability and security. In contrast, non-core fixed-income strategies explore opportunities beyond traditional bond markets, often involving higher risk and the potential for higher returns.
Core fixed-income investment
- Stability: Core fixed-income assets typically include high-quality government and investment-grade corporate bonds. These securities offer stable income streams and lower default risk compared to non-core alternatives.
- Low Volatility: The primary goal of core fixed income is capital preservation and steady income generation. As a result, these investments tend to exhibit lower price volatility, making them suitable for risk-averse investors.
- Focus on Quality: Core fixed-income strategies prioritize investments with strong credit ratings and predictable cash flows. By focusing on high-quality bonds, investors aim to mitigate credit risk and minimize the potential for default.
Non-core fixed-income investment
- Higher Return Potential: Non-core fixed-income strategies seek to maximize returns by investing in higher-yielding securities such as high-yield bonds, emerging market debt, or non-investment-grade corporate bonds.
- Increased Risk: Unlike core fixed income, non-core strategies involve greater risk exposure, including credit risk, interest rate risk, and liquidity risk. These investments are more sensitive to market fluctuations and economic conditions.
- Diversification Benefits: Non-core fixed-income investments offer diversification benefits by expanding the universe of investable assets beyond traditional bond markets. However, this diversification comes with added complexity and the potential for volatility.
Is it better to use a core fixed-income investment?
Deciding whether to use a core fixed-income investment strategy or not requires consideration. Below are some of the things you need to think about when deciding on an investment strategy:
- Investor Objectives: Core fixed income is well-suited for investors seeking stability, predictable income, and capital preservation. For retirees or conservative investors in particular, it provides a steady stream of passive income.
- Risk Tolerance: Investors with a low risk tolerance or those nearing retirement may prioritize core fixed-income investments to safeguard their portfolios against market volatility and capital loss.
- Time Horizon: Shorter investment horizons may favor core fixed income, as it provides a steady stream of income with lower volatility. To potentially increase returns over time, long-term investors with a larger risk tolerance would want to think about using non-core methods.
- Portfolio Diversification: Core fixed income plays a vital role in portfolio diversification by providing a counterbalance to equity and alternative investments. On the other hand, adding non-core strategies can increase diversification even more and possibly boost returns that are adjusted for risk.
Core fixed income can be a good strategy
Core fixed-income investing can be smart for folks who want a safe and varied investment mix. With good-quality bonds and other fixed-income stuff, you get a steady income and less up-and-down in your investment pile.
However, investors should think about their financial situation and how much risk they’re comfortable with before deciding how much to put into core fixed income. Whether it’s the main part of your investment mix or just a piece of the puzzle, core fixed income can help you reach your money goals in the long run.