Bonds

Long Bond

A bond that matures in over 10 years, usually refers to the longest-term bond issued by the Treasury, the 30-year Treasury Bond.

Basis Point

The measurement of a change in the yield of a debt security. One basis point equals 1/100 of one percent.

Commodities and Bonds

Commodity prices typically have an inverse relationship with bond prices. Bond prices are  influenced by inflationary expectations. Commodity prices are influenced by the movement of the US Dollar. See also: The Relationship between the Stock and Bond Markets

Baby Bond

A baby bond is a bond with a face value of less than $1,000.

Ladder Strategy

A strategy in which a bond portfolio is constructed that invests equal amounts of money in every maturity within a given range in order to offset interest rate risk.

Duration

A measure of a bond’s price sensitivity to changes in interest rates.

Junk Bond

A Junk bond is a bond with a speculative credit of BB (Standard and Poor’s) or Ba (Moody’s) or lower due to it’s high default risk. Junk bonds typically offer higher yields than the safer bonds of more financially sound companies or government securities.

Charles DiFrancesca

Charlie D  (Charles DiFrancesca) was a legendary trader in the Treasury Bond Pit at the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT). In addition to being one of the greatest traders of his generation, Charlie D was known as being larger than life and a true philanthropist. Tragically, Charlie D was afflicted wit

Inverted Yield Curve

The yield curve is a graph showing the range of interest rates available to investors. An inverted yield curve shows long term rates falling below short term rates. This situation can occur when a slowing of the economy is expected or during a period of instability where investors look to the safety

Agency Note

A debt security issued by a government-sponsored enterprise such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, designed to resemble a US Treasury note.