Commission-based bond portfolio

Jun 21, 2009 4:22 pm

It’s something I’ve been toying with in regards to prospects and clients we meet with significant CDs who are fixed-annuity prospects but may not like the annuity concept or the surrenders.  Does anyone have a fund family they like to build bond portfolios with say $20-30k.  If they have $50k we can get them into wrap and then it’s not an issue but most people I meet (insert joke about not getting the big ticket here) aren’t going to write a $50k+ check and to go straight from CDs into fixed-income wrap. 

Pioneer has some good bond funds.  What are other people using?

Jun 21, 2009 5:32 pm

I’ve been using a mix of Franklin funds. Nothing sexy or exciting, but they seem to have a good, middle-of-the-road fixed income selection. You can also get a bit of diversity. 

Jun 21, 2009 6:03 pm

I should have added as well:  If anyone has any examples of models they’re using, let’s see them.

Jun 21, 2009 6:20 pm

Mix of ETF’s and MF’s

Combining AGG (Hi Grade Corp Bond ETF), and TIP (TIPS ETF), with STRYX (Pioneer Strategic Income (mix of corps, treasuries, MBS, foreigne etc - more conservatively run than Loomis)) Adding a little VIG (yeah i know thats EQUITY - But only 15-20% of portfolio - its Vanguard Dividend Achievers ETF), and hedging it all with some TBT (ETF thats inverse 20 yr treasury). This porfolio is giving me 6 plus % yield, and the hedge is working really well. I only recently started using this.