Naked Guide to Bonds: What You Need to Know –– Stripped Down to the Bare Essentials - Hardcover

Brandes, Michael V.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0471462217 ISBN 13: 9780471462217

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 2003

Synopsis

Professional investors have long understood the importance of bonds in a successful portfolio strategy. Now you can too. That's because Wall Street bond expert Michael Brandes takes a unique approach to this complex subject--he makes it simple. In Naked Guide to Bonds: What You Need to Know, Stripped Down to the Bare Essentials, technical jargon and complicated subject matter are translated into a straightforward, easy-to-read style with plenty of examples. What's more, rather than writing an all-inclusive book on the bond market, Brandes uses his expertise to eliminate the information that is not relevant to individual investors. The result is a practical and succinct guide that empowers you to make informed investment decisions. Naked Guide to Bonds is written so that each chapter builds upon the information that precedes it. That way you'll never be thrown for a loop. It begins with basic questions such as: Who issues bonds, and why? And how are bonds bought and sold? Then you'll learn about the structure of these securities and the characteristics that distinguish them from stocks. Once you're armed with the fundamentals, you'll discover how inflation, interest rates, and changes in the economy impact bond prices. Naked Guide to Bonds also provides insights about different types of bonds, including those issued by the U.S. government and its agencies, municipalities, corporations, and international issuers. Most importantly, you'll understand how to identify the bonds that are most appropriate for you. In the final sections, you'll determine how to:* Assess your risk profile and set goals* Construct a portfolio to meet your objectives * Implement a customized strategy * Evaluate individual bonds and mutual funds * Monitor and maintain your portfolio * Avoid the most common mistakesFilled with helpful charts and informative "Bare Essentials" summary points at the beginning of each chapter, Naked Guide to Bonds provides an effective way to become a smart and successful bond investor. Take a look for yourself and you'll see how enjoyable and rewarding learning about bonds can be.

About this title

About the Author

MICHAEL V. BRANDES is Director and Fixed-Income Strategist in the Investment Strategy Group at Smith Barney, a division of Citigroup. He is founding author of Bond Market Monthly, the firm's flagship research publication for individual fixed-income investors. He also writes Citigroup's widely popular A Stock Buyer's Guide to Bond Investing and various research articles about fixed-income strategy. Michael earned a BA in English literature from the University at Albany (NY) and an MBA from Columbia University Business School in New York.

From the Back Cover

"A delightful instruction to the wonderful world of bonds for the non-professional investor, written in terms that you could explain to your mother-in-law; or that she could explain to you!"
–Paul McCulley
Managing Director and Fund Manager
PIMCO, one of the world’s leading fixed-income managers

"Michael Brandes has written a thorough, useful, and highly readable treatise on bonds. Investors seeking a balanced, diversified portfolio are advised to read it."
–Tom Gardner
Co-founder, The Motley Fool

"This book cuts through the jargon and gets right to the point. A bond market primer that not only teaches the basics, but also is enjoyable to read."
–Gregory Peters
Head of Credit Strategy, Morgan Stanley

"The title says it all. The book is to the point and easy to understand. I wish I had Michael’s so easy-to-understand reference to bonds years ago."
–Alan R. Shaw
Managing Director, U.S. Equity Research
Smith Barney (a division of Citigroup)

"Fixed income can be an enormously complex and confusing asset class–even for seasoned investment professionals–with a dizzying array of instruments and strategies. Fortunately, Brandes has done a marvelous job of pulling back the proverbial curtain, to unveil and demystify the bond market by breaking a complicated topic down into simple, manageable, and understandable building blocks."
–Philip J. Orlando, CFA
Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager, Federated Investors

"Everything here about bonds is bite size and easy to digest. Pleasantly so. This book marks a clear path for individual investors to follow, and will fill you with many new insights. An extremely handy guide for anyone who wants to invest in bonds for safety and income."
–John Tracy
author of the bestselling book How to Read a Financial Report

From the Inside Flap

Professional investors have long understood the importance of bonds in a successful portfolio strategy. Now you can too.

That’s because Wall Street bond expert Michael Brandes takes a unique approach to this complex subject–he makes it simple. In Naked Guide to Bonds: What You Need to Know–Stripped Down to the Bare Essentials, technical jargon and complicated subject matter are translated into a straightforward, easy-to-read style with plenty of examples. What’s more, rather than writing an all-inclusive book on the bond market, Brandes uses his expertise to eliminate the information that is not relevant to individual investors. The result is a practical and succinct guide that empowers you to make informed investment decisions.

Naked Guide to Bonds is written so that each chapter builds upon the information that precedes it–that way you’ll never be thrown for a loop. It begins with basic questions such as: Who issues bonds, and why? And how are bonds bought and sold? Then you’ll learn about the structure of these securities and the characteristics that distinguish them from stocks.

Once you’re armed with the fundamentals, you’ll discover how inflation, interest rates, and changes in the economy impact bond prices. Naked Guide to Bonds also provides insights into different types of bonds, including those issued by the U.S. government and its agencies, municipalities, corporations, and international issuers. Most importantly, you’ll understand how to identify the bonds that are appropriate for you.

In the final sections, you’ll determine how to:

• Assess your risk profile and set goals
• Construct a portfolio that meets your objectives
• Implement a customized strategy
• Evaluate individual bonds and mutual funds
• Monitor and maintain your portfolio
• Avoid the most common mistakes

Filled with helpful charts and informative "Bare Essential" summary points at the beginning of each chapter, Naked Guide to Bonds provides an effective way to become a smart and successful bond investor. Take a look for yourself and see how enjoyable and rewarding learning about bonds can be.

Edition details

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0471462217
• ISBN 13: 9780471462217
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256