Cash in Hand Archive

Bond With Your Bonds

Even after the magnificent run-up in bond values, investors will stay loyal to bonds and bond funds.

Why You Should Hang on to Your Bonds

Now is not the time to cash in on the rally in investment-grade corporate debt.

Stand by Your Buck

Don't listen to the dollar critics: Our currency is durable and better than the alternatives.

Beyond Bond Ratings

Despite missed calls and ethical questions, ratings firms will remain influential. That's not all bad.

Want to Buy Foreign Bonds Directly? Good Luck

The yields on debt issued by governments overseas trump what you can get from U.S. debt. But you need to be a millionaire to tap that market.

Municipal Bonds Under the Gun

With states strapped for cash, the tax-exempt bond market is feeling stress -- which means investors can find some good deals.

Treasuries Are Still Worth Buying

With the economy still weak, the ten-year bond is appealing despite its low yield.

Preferreds: A Big Gamble

Don't jump into these investments because of their recent hot performance without fully understanding the risks.

Don't Overlook Ginnie Maes

These U.S. guaranteed securities have held up well despite the financial meltdown and have better yields than Treasuries.

Investments That Pay You Every Month

These three portfolios should produce reliable yields of 5% to almost 10%.

Welcome Additions: More Bond ETFs

Finally, these exchange-traded funds are catching on, giving investors a chance to invest in everything from munis to junk bonds at much lower costs than traditional bond funds.

Not as Good as Cash

Ultra-short-term bond funds are supposed to be low-risk, but their recent losses suggest otherwise.

An Income Smorgasbord

From a handful of REITS to California bonds to companies raising dividends, you can find investments with sure-thing cash returns.

The Case for Junk Bonds

As risky as high-yield bonds may seem, they're not nearly as dangerous as stocks.

The No-Stock Portfolio

Try these investments to earn a decent return with less risk.

Dividends Get Slashed

Weak cash flow is prompting some investment companies with high yields to cut payouts to shareholders.

It's Time to Buy Bonds

You'll find plenty of good deals on issues from municipalities and big, solid companies.

An Unbelievable Yield

You can get 5% or better in a tax-free money-market fund. Is this for real? For now, it is.

Bonds to the Rescue

Reduce your risk by adding some of these fixed-income securities to your portfolio. Here's how to pick the right ones.

Investments That Pay You Every Month

Expect a steady flow of cash from these three portfolios.

What to Do With Cash in Hand

Use these strategies to make sure your money is safe, earns a decent rate and is accessible.

With Bond Funds, Keep It Simple

Bonds are crucial for diversifying your portfolio, but it can be dangerous to invest in a fund full of stuff only a rocket scientist can understand.

BBB Means Buy, Buy, Buy

Corporate bonds rated just above junk level offer 7% yields with little risk of default or insolvency.

Pipeline to High Income

Shares of pipelines and energy-storage facilities have fallen hard, but there's nothing wrong with the businesses. And the yields are more than 7%.

Are Money-Market Funds as Good as Cash?

Their holdings may include debt issued by the likes of Bear Stearns, Freddie Mac, and some other less-than-ironclad lenders.

Don't Miss the Muni-Bond Sale

Now is a good time to invest in highly rated tax-free bonds.

The Latest Embarrassment: Leveraged Closed-Ends

These funds are now riskier and less appetizing for income investors.

Relief for Beaten-Down Investments

The Federal Reserve's surprise rate cut breathed life back into REITS and business development companies. Regional banks should benefit, too.

Bonds: Not a Haven Now

Despite conventional wisdom, a recession in 2008 seems short of great opportunities in interest-paying investments.

Dubious Closed-End Fund Distributions

Managers of many of these stock-like investments promise a high fixed payout but are finding it hard to uphold that guarantee.

Why Municipal Bonds Are Stumbling

These usually safe, tax-exempt investments have become unlikely victims of the subprime mortgage fallout.

Ultra-Short: Still Ultra-Safe?

The poor performance of two ultra-short bond funds from esteemed firms calls into question whether these investments are safe alternatives to money-market funds.

Keeping Your Balance Becomes Cash in Hand

This column gets a new name but will still offer the same great advice on investing for income.

Real Estate in Its Purest Form

Residential real estate prices may be falling, but the cost of land is going up and can be a solid investment.

Investing in Foreign Real Estate Goes Mainstream

New international real estate funds with low minimums let you to take advantage of property growth overseas, and they provide portfolio diversification.

Oy, Canada!

A sudden tax proposal by Canada's finance minister just knocked 10% to 15% off the value of shares of most Canadian income trusts and threatens to leave them with less money to pay dividends. If you invest in these high-yield securities, should you keep them?

Surprising Performance From High-Yield Bonds

Few expected it, but junk bond funds haven't done badly this year. Here's what's changed.

The Fed and Your Wallet

Are Bernanke & Co. waiting for the smoke to clear? Or is the August pause the end of 17 months of rate tightening? The answer has important consequences for investors.

The Thrill of Cash

Cash investments aren't just safe. They're looking respectable as an investment, not just a refuge.

Mortgage REIT Madness

Yields on real estate investment trusts that hold mortgages are soaring, but the gains may be an illusion.

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