The Fundamentals of Municipal Bonds

The Fundamentals of Municipal Bonds

Author: SIFMA

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2011-10-25

Total Pages: 326

ISBN-13: 1118166841

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The definitive new edition of the most trusted book on municipal bonds As of the end of 1998, municipal bonds, issued by state or local governments to finance public works programs, such as the building of schools, streets, and electrical grids, totaled almost $1.5 trillion in outstanding debt, a number that has only increased over time. The market for these bonds is comprised of many types of professionals—investment bankers, underwriters, traders, analysts, attorneys, rating agencies, brokers, and regulators—who are paid interest and principal according to a fixed schedule. Intended for investment professionals interested in how US municipal bonds work, The Fundamentals of Municipal Bonds, Sixth Edition explains the bond contract and recent changes in this market, providing investors with the information and tools they need to make bonds reliable parts of their portfolios. The market is very different from when the fifth edition was published more than ten years ago, and this revision reasserts Fundamentals of Municipal Bonds as the preeminent text in the field Explores the basics of municipal securities, including the issuers, the primary market, and the secondary market Key areas, such as investing in bonds, credit analysis, interest rates, and regulatory and disclosure requirements, are covered in detail This revised edition includes appendixes, a glossary, and a list of financial products related to applying the fundamentals of municipal bonds An official book of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) With today's financial market in recovery and still highly volatile, investors are looking for a safe and steady way to grow their money without having to invest in stocks. The bond market has always been a safe haven, although confusing new bonds and bond funds make it increasingly difficult for unfamiliar investors to decide on the most suitable fixed income investments.


INVESTING IN MUNICIPAL BONDS: How to Balance Risk and Reward for Success in Today’s Bond Market

INVESTING IN MUNICIPAL BONDS: How to Balance Risk and Reward for Success in Today’s Bond Market

Author: Philip Fischer

Publisher: McGraw Hill Professional

Published: 2013-02-01

Total Pages: 284

ISBN-13: 0071809767

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Maximize profits with the perfect balance between risk and reward Municipal bonds have traditionally given investors a reliable investment while providing state and local governments with an essential tool for funding public infrastructure projects. Now, the threat of municipalities defaulting and dramatic changes to the muni market’s fundamental operations have created an attractive hotbed of opportunity for today’s top institutional investors. Investing in Municipal Bonds is the retail investor’s road map to the lucrative market that is fueling the digital and physical highways of the future. Only Dr. Philip Fischer can offer such a brilliantly practical amalgam of big-picture financial theory and nuts-and-bolts bond calculations. His crystal-clear explanation of the muni market covers every aspect, including the various “personalities” and traits of different types of bonds. His hands-on strategies for earning more from your money will keep this book at your fingertips as you customize a profitable municipal bond portfolio to achieve your financial goals. Political and business leaders as well as financial professionals seek Dr. Fischer’s knowledge and firsthand insights into municipal securities, from day-to-day trading to milestone events like the 2008 financial crisis. Investing in Municipal Bonds shows you how it’s done on Wall Street, providing a wealth of pertinent examples from the real world. You can rely on this powerful guidebook for the know-how and skill set you need to confidently: Invest in fixed-rate and variable-rate bonds, including Variable Rate Demand Obligations (VRDOs) Identify different types of bonds and determine how they will be repaid Execute municipal bond-yield calculations Navigate the derivatives market, including LIBOR interest-rate swaps Weigh the benefits of taxable municipal bonds Research municipal securities using the online database of the Municipal Securities Rule Making Board (MSRB) Bond yields will eventually rebound from these historic lows and bring increased risk. Investing in Municipal Bonds will give you the knowledge you need to adjust your risk and balance profi t for continued success toward your financial goals. Praise for Investing in Municiple Bonds: “In addition to an accessible discussion of this unique market’s financial structures, Fischer provides the historical context for why the market evolved the way it did—and how that history may influence municipal bond investments in an era of slow economic growth and rising costs for retirees.” —MICHAEL STANTON, Publisher, The Bond Buyer “If there were a graduate program in Municipal Finance, Dr. Fischer’s treatise would quickly climb to the top of the syllabus.” —JAMES T. COLBY III, Senior Municipal Strategist/Portfolio Manager, Van Eck Global “Dr. Fischer brings a ‘what you need to know’ approach to the novice and the experienced practitioner alike. He poignantly relates how the very nuanced market structure influences and prices this market. Even with my over 25 years in the business, this book earns a trophy spot on my muni reference shelf.” —JOSEPH CAMPAGNA, Senior Vice President, BayernLB, Financial Institutions & Sovereigns “A well-written, thorough, and meticulous primer to the history, the instruments, and the segments that comprise the municipal bond market.” —PROFESSOR JOHN CHALMERS, Abbott Keller Distinguished Research Scholar, Associate Professor of Finance, Charles H. Lundquist College of Business, University of Oregon “If you would like to learn more about municipal bonds so that you know how to check off each item on the checklist, I highly recommend buying Investing in Municipal Bonds.” —DAVID WARING, LearnBonds


Adventures in Muniland 2009-2015

Adventures in Muniland 2009-2015

Author: Michael Comes

Publisher:

Published: 2015-07-15

Total Pages: 412

ISBN-13: 9780985344740

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With a perspective that only decades of experience can bring, Adventures in Muniland captures the municipal bond market's transformation from stodgy to dynamic. This concise, yet comprehensive stroll offers an insider's view, brings the reader right up to today's discussions, and carries the added benefit of providing a clear understanding of what can at times appear to be an opaque marketplace. The Cumberland team has produced an insightful review for the seasoned professional and a must read for newcomers and investors.


Bloomberg Visual Guide to Municipal Bonds

Bloomberg Visual Guide to Municipal Bonds

Author: Robert Doty

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2012-02-23

Total Pages: 210

ISBN-13: 1118216970

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A hands-on visual guide to understanding and investing in an important and consistently safe investment vehicle Bloomberg Visual Guide to Municipal Bonds offers step-by-step guidance to the nature and diversity of municipal securities credit structures. This valuable guide demonstrates the dependability of the overwhelming majority of municipal securities, and points out particular market sectors that may yield greater rewards, but also present greater risks. This book also directs readers to good sources of up-to-date information as well as new market tools, byproducts of recent market enhancements, so as to assist you in making informed investment decisions. Filled with reliable and highly accessible information needed for making sound decisions when investing in municipal securities Author Robert Doty is a noted expert on municipal securities A valuable addition to the new Bloomberg Visual Series Engaging and informative, this reliable resource is an easy-to-use "how to" guide to municipal securities that will help you create more effective investment strategies.


Keys to Investing in Municipal Bonds

Keys to Investing in Municipal Bonds

Author: Gary Strumeyer

Publisher:

Published: 1996

Total Pages: 196

ISBN-13:

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How do you know that buying municipal bonds is the right decision for you? Are you aware of the tax benefits associated with municipal bonds? Do you know how to reduce your risk when you buy? Do you know how and where to buy municipal bonds? This easy-to-follow guide will tell you. Master this book's key concepts and you'll master the art of sound investment in municipal bonds.


The Handbook of Municipal Bonds

The Handbook of Municipal Bonds

Author: Sylvan G. Feldstein

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2011-01-13

Total Pages: 1381

ISBN-13: 1118044940

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In The Handbook of Municipal Bonds, editors Sylvan Feldstein and Frank Fabozzi provide traders, bankers, and advisors—among other industry participants—with a well-rounded look at the industry of tax-exempt municipal bonds. Chapter by chapter, a diverse group of experienced contributors provide detailed explanations and a variety of relevant examples that illuminate essential elements of this area. With this book as your guide, you’ll quickly become familiar with both buy side and sell side issues as well as important innovations in this field.


Investing in Fixed Income Securities

Investing in Fixed Income Securities

Author: Gary Strumeyer

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2012-07-02

Total Pages: 386

ISBN-13: 0471719714

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Investors who've primarily purchased equity securities in the past have been looking for more secure investment alternatives; namely, fixed income securities. This book demystifies the sometimes daunting fixed income market, through a user-friendly, sophisticated, yet not overly mathematical format. Investing in Fixed Income Securities covers a wide range of topics, including the different types of fixed income securities, their characteristics, the strategies necessary to manage a diversified portfolio, bond pricing concepts, and more, so you can make the most informed investment decisions possible.


Investing in Bonds For Dummies

Investing in Bonds For Dummies

Author: Russell Wild

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2015-10-26

Total Pages: 295

ISBN-13: 1119121833

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Change up your investment strategy. Diversify with bonds! Stock, bonds, mutual funds—are all of these elements really necessary in your investment portfolio? Yes! Investing in Bonds For Dummies introduces you to the world of bond investment—and equips you to diversify your portfolio—through the concise and approachable presentation of the details surrounding this form of investment. This engaging text offers a clear, yet thorough take on the background of bond investment, helping you understand why it's such an important part of a well-rounded portfolio. Additionally, the book explores bond returns, risks, and the major factors that can influence the performance of bonds. When it comes to diversifying your investment portfolio, most financial advisors recommend a strategy that mixes high- and low-risk options, allowing you to protect your investment without being too conservative. Depending upon your age, financial goals, and other key factors, the percentage of your portfolio made up of bonds may vary; however, it's safe to say that bonds will play a role in your investment strategy. Understand how to buy and sell bonds and bond funds, and why it's important to do so Measure the returns and risks that different bonds have to offer, preparing yourself to make educated investment decisions Diversify your investment portfolio by adding bonds to the mix Avoid common investment mistakes when navigating the world of bonds Investing in Bonds For Dummies can keep your investment portfolio from getting stagnant by showcasing why diversification with bonds is essential to a successful investment strategy!


The Complete Guide to Investing in Bonds and Bond Funds

The Complete Guide to Investing in Bonds and Bond Funds

Author: Martha Maeda

Publisher: Atlantic Publishing Company

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 338

ISBN-13: 1601382936

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Bonds have long been a stalwart of investment. More than $100 billion was invested in municipal bonds alone in 2006. Now, with the economy a little less certain than it has been in recent decades, the demand for a secure place to invest money has lead to resurgence in interest in the use of bonds for many investors. Because there are many peculiarities in bond investment, you must have a basic understanding of the market, the bond issuer, how to measure rates of return and how to maximize those rates. This book provides anyone who has never invested in bonds before the ideal handbook to start investing in and earning massive returns from bonds. You will learn everything the savvy investor needs to effectively turn a high risk portfolio into a constantly growing, steadily developing source of wealth. You will learn how bonds operate on a very basic level, including the numerous different kinds of bonds and how bond funds can be a highly lucrative option. You will learn the fundamental differences between government, municipal, and corporate bonds and how much of a return you can expect from each. You will learn the basic methods of valuation and yield that bonds are measured by and how you can evaluate bonds with three basic steps. You will be guided through determining the face value, coupon rate, and sale price of a bond, as well as the ratings, insurance, maturity, callability, and taxes that might be associated with it. The importance of interest rates, inflation, and supply and demand in affecting the yield of your bonds will be detailed as well to ensure you make a careful investment. In addition to a comprehensive guide on the many options and methods of investing in bonds, dozens of interviews with financial gurus from around the nation have been conducted to provide critical, real world advice on how to successfully invest your money into bonds. You will be shown the risk free methods by which to invest in bonds, making low interest returns on U.S. government bonds, as well as the higher risk methods that will allow you to make great returns by investing in industrial and corporate bonds. You will learn how to look overseas for even more lucrative options and how to measure the risk of your bonds based on the debt in which you are investing and the callability of any one bond issuer. You will be shown how to effectively balance your portfolio to include bonds without ignoring the necessity and place for other investments. For any investor who has been agonizing over how to safely invest money for a high return, this book is for you, guiding you through the complex, but rewarding, world of bond investments. Atlantic Publishing is a small, independent publishing company based in Ocala, Florida. Founded over twenty years ago in the company presidentâe(tm)s garage, Atlantic Publishing has grown to become a renowned resource for non-fiction books. Today, over 450 titles are in print covering subjects such as small business, healthy living, management, finance, careers, and real estate. Atlantic Publishing prides itself on producing award winning, high-quality manuals that give readers up-to-date, pertinent information, real-world examples, and case studies with expert advice. Every book has resources, contact information, and web sites of the products or companies discussed.


The Fundamentals of Municipal Bonds

The Fundamentals of Municipal Bonds

Author: The Bond Market Association

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2001-02-02

Total Pages: 296

ISBN-13: 9780471393658

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Praise for the Classic Guide to the Bond Market "This is simply the most comprehensive, useful look-it-up book onmunicipal bonds I've ever read (said with all due respect to TheABC of Municipal Bonds my dad wrote in 1937 when I was nine). ReadFundamentals cover to cover. I'm keeping mine in my briefcase,under my arm, at my fingertips. No accountant, financial advisor,attorney, new bond salesman, reporter, regulator, test-writer,cautious, suspicious first-time investor in municipal bonds, ordinner guest is ever going to catch me again with a question aboutmunicipal bonds I can't answer."-Jim Lebenthal, Chairman, Lebenthal& Co. "Judy Wesalo Temel gives us the Rosetta stone of the municipal bondmarket, the key to unraveling the many mysteries of 'muni's.' Herbook, a fresh take on the old standard Fundamentals of MunicipalBonds, updates chapter and verse on everything from investing tounderwriting, from over-the-counter to over-the-Internet. The styleis clean, crisp, and as simple as this complex subject can be. Areyou a novice who wonders how to invest in bonds? She lays out thebasics. Examples are easy to follow-even the mathematical ones thatare critical to explaining how municipal bonds work. At the sametime, there is plenty of meat for the pros. Whether you need tostart from square one and learn all about municipal bonds and howthey work, or need a ready reference for specific technicalquestions you run across as a market professional, this book is foryou."-Kathleen Hays, Economics Editor, Credit Markets Reporter, and"Bond Belle" CNBC "This is a must-read for every scholar, banker, and public officialconcerned with local government finance in the United States. JudyWesalo Temel has done the impossible: she has clearly andinsightfully explained how we finance the development of thenation's vital public infrastructure. This is an important book,one that will be required reading for professionals responsible forplanning, designing, and evaluating publicly financed projects-thehealth care, transportation, and educational facilities that allcitizens rely upon. The bond market is an essential element in thelife of local and state government, and this book makes itunderstandable to all Americans."-Mitchell Moss, Henry Hart RiceProfessor of Urban Planning and Director, Taub Urban ResearchCenter, Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, NewYork University