Emory Zink

These medalists show it’s possible for longer-duration strategies to beat peers when rates rise.

Persistent warnings about rising inflation have proved to be false alarms. Could this time be different?

Here are three recommendations that fit the bill by focusing on liquidity, diversification, and thorough risk management.

Some things stay the same only by changing.

Among the largest in the intermediate government category, Vanguard GNMA will soon lose its longtime manager.

The firm's integrated approach has served fundholders well.

Longtime management, deep resources, and a slim fee characterize Silver-rated Fidelity Investment Grade Bond.

Uncertainty--around actions by the Federal Reserve, trade tensions, and slower global economic growth--contributed to a tense second quarter in fixed-income markets.

A trio of managers positions JPMorgan Core Bond for success.

Either of these Bronze-rated strategies run by Capital Group is worth a look for investors seeking a conservative bond fund, but consider the differences.

Obstacles throughout 2018--particularly rising interest rates and anxious credit markets--provided a challenge to bond investors broadly, but short-term bond funds held their own.

Bond markets grappled with monetary policy and political unknowns in 2018.

Bronze-rated American Funds Bond Fund of America is a good choice for those seeking calm during bouts of market volatility.

JPMorgan Government Bond and American Funds US Government Securities have important differences, but both could work well as a safe haven.

Uncertainties abounded over the period, though strong technical backdrops provided some stability.

Fidelity Total Bond brings experienced leadership, deep resources, thoughtful positioning, and attractive fees.

Bronze-rated Fidelity Conservative Income and Silver-rated PIMCO Short-Term Institutional offer lower rate sensitivity relative to short or intermediate-term bond funds.

Bronze-rated AB Income scours the global fixed-income landscape for opportunities and employs leverage.

It was a relatively quiet second quarter for most, with the biggest losses in emerging-markets debt.

Puerto Rico, Illinois, and tobacco continue to polarize, but opportunity remains in the muni market.

Voya Intermediate Bond and JPMorgan Core Bond each have experienced managers, thoughtful processes, and attractive price tags but are not perfect substitutes for one another.

We downgraded two bond funds after personnel changes at Vanguard, but we will continue our review process as Greg Nassour's replacement is named.

Bond markets turned volatile against a backdrop of rising rates, a weakening dollar, and end-of-credit-cycle anxiety.

Gold-rated Vanguard GNMA Fund is run by an experienced manager using a straightforward process.

These funds are in position for a credit sell-off.

Despite monetary and fiscal policy adjustments, bond markets remained steady for 2017, providing a subtle encore to the prior year’s risk-on fervor.

We've upgraded American Funds Bond Fund of America's Analyst Rating to Bronze, thanks to improvements in the fund's resources and processes.

Funds focusing on government securities have come under pressure, but they can provide ballast when riskier parts of the market become volatile.

Silver-rated Fidelity Investment Grade Bond’s long-tenured manager provides value through sector rotation and security selection.

Bronze-rated AB Intermediate-Term Bond's appetite for riskier fare has driven volatility, but it could be a good choice for patient investors.

Intermediate bond funds may sound similar, but they source opportunity and court risk in different places.

Baird Core Intermediate Municipal Bond is led by Duane McAllister, a longtime outperformer with his previous fund.

We maintain a Parent rating of Neutral.

We’re reconsidering AB's Parent Pillar rating and placing the firm's funds under review amidst a lack of detail from majority owners AXA on why they cleaned house.

Silver-rated Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt focuses on sectors with stable cash flows and avoids controversial credits.

More flexible mandates for bond funds may offer more investment options, but it also may introduce complications, managers say.

Experienced managers and a solid process allow AB High Income to navigate the riskier sectors of the bond market.

Baird Core Plus Bond may be smaller than its peers but management’s experience and nimble implementation have given the fund an edge.

Morningstar's Emory Zink offers three fund picks amid potential policy changes that could affect the municipal bond market.

Shifting dynamics in short-term funding markets have put the floating back in floating rate.

Higher energy prices and rising core prices make inflation-protected securities look attractive today, says fixed-income manager of the year Ford O’Neil of Fidelity.

The $1 trillion shift from prime to government money market funds last year was surprisingly smooth, says Fidelity Limited Term Bond's Rob Galusza.

With its solid process, experienced management, and low fees, Vanguard GNMA Fund is a doyen of mortgage investing.

A bevy of newly rated funds and a handful of rating changes.

Silver-rated BlackRock U.S. Mortgage Fund's recent cut in expenses adds to its appeal.

Although not for interest-rate bears, Fidelity Investment Grade Bond has a solid structure to find opportunities in the fixed-income market.

Thirty-eight ratings debuted in September.

Here are a few fixed-income prospects to watch.

Vanguard Core Bond Fund may be young, but its experienced management team and low expenses make us optimistic about the future, says Morningstar's Emory Zink.

Low rates and modest yields have raised the profile of subsectors that were previously considered more niche than core, such as municipal tobacco.