Etf Junk Bonds for High-Yield Investing

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If you're looking for a high-yield investment, junk bonds through ETFs can be a viable option. Junk bonds, also known as high-yield bonds, offer higher returns to compensate for the increased risk of default.

These bonds are issued by companies with lower credit ratings, typically below BBB. In the article, we'll explore how ETFs can provide access to this market.

Investing in junk bonds can be a way to diversify your portfolio and potentially increase returns.

What You Need to Know

The Bloomberg High Yield Very Liquid Index measures the performance of high yield corporate bonds with above-average liquidity.

To invest in junk bond ETFs, you'll need to open a brokerage account that provides access to ETFs and search for "Junk Bond ETFs" to find a variety of ETF funds.

These funds can provide value to investors seeking high returns, offering exposure to U.S. dollar-denominated high yield bonds issued by governments and corporations in emerging market countries.

What You Need to Know

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High yield corporate bonds are generally rated below investment grade and are commonly referred to as "junk bonds".

The Bloomberg High Yield Very Liquid Index includes publicly issued U.S. dollar denominated, non-investment grade, fixed-rate, taxable corporate bonds with a remaining maturity of at least one year, but not more than fifteen years.

These bonds have a minimum outstanding face value of $500 million and are rated high-yield (Ba1/BB+/BB+ or below) using the middle rating of Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Fitch Ratings Inc., or S&P Global Ratings, respectively.

High yield securities in the Index are designed to measure the performance of publicly issued U.S. dollar denominated high yield corporate bonds with above-average liquidity.

The Index provides access to a diversified portfolio of high yield bonds, with over 200 emerging market high yield bonds available in a single fund.

The Bloomberg High Yield Very Liquid Index is designed to help investors customize their emerging markets allocation, seek higher yield, and pursue income.

Why Invest in ETF Junk Bonds?

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Investing in ETF junk bonds can provide a high return on investment.

These funds can offer high returns, making them attractive to investors seeking increased income.

A diversified security is one of the key benefits of junk bond ETFs, which can help mitigate associated risk.

A junk bond ETF makes exposure to these investments much more accessible for the everyday investor.

Investing in junk bond ETFs can be a valuable addition to your portfolio, providing a customized emerging markets allocation and higher yield.

Exposure to 200+ emerging market high yield bonds in a single fund is another advantage of investing in ETF junk bonds.

Investing in ETF Junk Bonds

To invest in a junk bond ETF, you'll need to open a brokerage account that provides access to ETFs. This will give you the ability to search for junk bond ETFs and review their performance before making an informed investment decision.

Junk bond ETFs can be found on the public market, making it easy to buy and sell shares within your brokerage account. Each fund's performance should be reviewed carefully to ensure it aligns with your investment goals.

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A junk bond ETF provides a diversified security that can help mitigate associated risk, making it a more accessible option for everyday investors. This can be especially beneficial for those seeking high returns but are not typically able to invest in the junk bond market due to its institutional nature.

Here are some key features of the SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF:

  • Seeks to provide investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of the Bloomberg High Yield Very Liquid Index
  • Provides a diversified exposure to US dollar-denominated high yield corporate bonds with above-average liquidity
  • Is a more cost-efficient way to implement a high yield exposure than via individual bonds
  • Is rebalanced on the last business day of the month

How to Invest

To invest in junk bond ETFs, you'll need to open a brokerage account that provides access to ETFs. This will allow you to buy and sell shares of the ETF.

Once you have an account, you can search for "Junk Bond ETFs" and browse through a variety of ETF funds. Before investing, it's essential to review each fund's performance and make an informed investment decision.

To do this, consult your financial adviser if you have questions about which fund to choose. They can help you evaluate your risk tolerance and determine how a junk bond ETF fits into your portfolio.

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A junk bond ETF provides a diversified exposure to US dollar-denominated high yield corporate bonds with above-average liquidity. This can help mitigate associated risk and make the investment more accessible for everyday investors.

You can buy and sell shares within your brokerage account, making it easy to manage your investment. The SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF, for example, is rebalanced on the last business day of the month to ensure that your investment remains aligned with its target.

Here are some key features to consider when investing in a junk bond ETF:

  • The SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Bloomberg High Yield Very Liquid Index.
  • It seeks to provide a diversified exposure to US dollar-denominated high yield corporate bonds with above-average liquidity.
  • A more cost-efficient way to implement a high-yield exposure than via individual bonds.
  • Rebalanced on the last business day of the month.

Price Yield Calculator

The Price Yield Calculator is a valuable tool for investors looking to gauge the performance of an ETF. It provides an indication of an ETF's yield and duration for a given market price.

The ACF Yield, or Aggregate Cash Flow Yield, is a key metric provided by the calculator. It's the discount rate that equates the ETF's aggregate cash flows to a given ETF price. This metric is based on the yield to worst methodology, which assumes a bond's cash flows occur at the call date or maturity, whichever results in the lowest yield.

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For a given ETF price, the calculator will estimate the corresponding ACF Yield and spread to the relevant government reference security yield. As of January 3rd, 2025, the ACF Yield to Worst for a specific ETF was 8.56%.

The Modified Duration of the same ETF is approximately 4.98 years. This metric gives investors an idea of the ETF's sensitivity to interest rate changes.

The calculator also provides a Spread of ACF Yield, which measures the difference between the ETF's ACF Yield and the 10-year Treasury Yield. As of January 3rd, 2025, this spread was +396 bps.

Here are some key metrics provided by the Price Yield Calculator:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make money on junk bonds?

Yes, investors can profit from buying junk bonds, but it's a high-risk strategy that requires careful consideration. High returns often come with high risks, making junk bonds a potentially lucrative but volatile investment option.

Krystal Bogisich

Lead Writer

Krystal Bogisich is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting informative and engaging content. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, she has established herself as a versatile writer capable of tackling a wide range of topics. Her expertise spans multiple industries, including finance, where she has developed a particular interest in actuarial careers.

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