Integrating fixed income strategies into your portfolio
Your portfolio should work for you in propelling both your short- and long-term goals, and preserving the wealth you’ve worked diligently to grow. Fixed income investments are an essential component of a well-diversified financial plan and can help support your aspirations with a reliable stream of income.
With a deep understanding of bonds and fixed income investments, we can help you integrate these core investments into your custom financial plan using a process that is defined, focused and disciplined – the characteristics needed to help preserve your hard-earned wealth, while striving to provide predictable cash flow now and in the future.
Fixed-income securities are exposed to various risks including but not limited to credit (risk of default or principal and interest payments), market and liquidity, interest rate, reinvestment, legislative (changes to the tax code), and call risks.
There is an inverse relationship between interest rate movements and fixed income prices. Generally, when interest rates rise, fixed income prices fall and when interest rates fall, fixed income prices generally rise. If bonds are sold prior to maturity, you may receive more or less than your initial investment.
Diversification and asset allocation do not ensure a profit or protect against a loss.
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Long-term investors can reap the benefits of holding fixed income investments to maturity, a strategy that helps to provide reliable, steady interest payments to fortify your income stream while also preserving principal. We have access to a broad array of investments, including some that are tax-exempt and/or especially tax-efficient when it comes to providing yield and predictable cash flow to support your desired lifestyle. Our team is well-versed in matching your specific goals and risk tolerance with investments that best align with your needs.
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Our experienced team is knowledgeable about both the risks and rewards inherent in fixed income products, as well as the variety of both tax-exempt and taxable investments available. We seek out high-quality investments, and manage them in a way designed to safeguard your hard-earned wealth from erosion due to inflation or taxation. Investors who take the long view and hold high-quality bonds to maturity can generally expect a full return of their principal, as well as the stated yield.
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Fixed income is a valuable tool for establishing a solid foundation for your portfolio by providing diversification to help smooth out pockets of volatility as various asset classes rotate in and out of favor. We select individual fixed income investments that are not only of a high quality on their own, but also work seamlessly with the rest of your portfolio to deliver a reasonable total return at a risk level you’re comfortable with.
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Your life and financial circumstances are unique, and so are your needs for your wealth management plan and portfolio. Your bond allocation depends on many factors – including your time horizon, risk tolerance, need for income and future goals – so we narrow the investment universe to choices that offer you a combination of income and stability. We leverage the extensive resources and professionals at Raymond James and utilize rigorous analysis and due diligence to structure a portfolio that specifically suits your objectives.
We’ve learned over the years, and through various market environments, that careful evaluation and selection of investments demands close attention. Rather than relying solely on third-party ratings to dictate your choices, we independently scrutinize each investment ourselves so we can present you with a truly personalized strategy and plan. The due diligence and analysis are well worth the effort, so that you understand what you own and why.
We offer a broad range of true fixed income investments at competitive pricing, offered in competition by more than 100 dealers across various trading platforms.
- U.S. Treasuries
- Agency and government-sponsored enterprise bonds
- Brokered certificates of deposit
- Corporate bonds
- Mortgage-backed securities
- Municipal bonds
- Preferred securities
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We work closely with you to gain a thorough understanding of your priorities for risk, capital growth and preservation before carefully selecting investments to suit your needs. We offer strategic support in crafting and implementing investment plans, and tap into the analytical resources of Raymond James and its specialists.
Even once your portfolio has been designed and integrated, our job is not done. We review your allocations to ensure they are appropriate in the market environment and for your unique situation. Our quality support is always delivered with your singular goals in mind, and that remains true as we highlight and strive to implement the right fixed income strategy for you.
Asset allocation and diversification do not guarantee a profit nor protect against loss.
Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected, including diversification and asset allocation.
Bond prices and yields are subject to change based upon market conditions and availability. If bonds are sold prior to maturity, you may receive more or less than your initial investment. Holding bonds to term allows redemption at par value, barring default or an early call at the issuer’s option. There is an inverse relationship between interest rate movements and bond prices. Generally, when interest rates rise, bond prices fall and when interest rates fall, bond prices rise.
Income from municipal bonds is generally not subject to federal income taxation; however, it may be subject to state and local taxes and, for certain investors, to the alternative minimum tax. Income from taxable municipal bonds is subject to federal income taxation, and it may be subject to state and local taxes.
U.S. government bonds and Treasury bills are guaranteed by the U.S. government and, if held to maturity, typically offer a fixed rate of return and guaranteed principal value. U.S. government bonds are issued and guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by the federal government. Treasury bills are certificates reflecting short-term (less than one year) obligations of the U.S. government.
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