The Bond Bible (Hardcover)

by Marilyn Cohen (Author) "Are bonds more complicated to understand than stocks?..." (more)
Key Phrases: Moody's Business, Merrill Lynch, Wall Street (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Fixed-income investments will never be as sexy as the day's hottest stock or a mutual fund focusing on the market sector du jour. But their very stability, combined with the equilibrium they provide when the Dow and the NASDAQ start bouncing around like 6-year-olds on a sugar high, are exactly why savvy investors count on them to round out their portfolios. Marilyn Cohen's The Bond Bible offers an unambiguous look at this once-arcane world, which--like much relating to investing--has become considerably less mysterious and immeasurably more accessible with the advent of the Internet. Cohen, president of a capital management firm, fully explains everything from income streams and the Treasury yield curve to the pluses of federal agency bonds and the negatives of high-yield issues. In simple terms, she also addresses advanced strategies such as leveraging, credit rating agencies, and insurance, bond funds and unit trusts, and nontraditional vehicles such as those tied to rock & roll royalties. Exactly how much of your portfolio should be devoted to bonds is a personal choice based on individual circumstances. Once you determine that, however, this book will help you reach an informed decision on what to buy, where to obtain it, and how to manage what you've got. --Howard Rothman

Product Description
Whatever your age, income or total assets, bonds belong in your portfolio. A symbol of security, bonds have long had a place in any well-rounded portfolio. As millions of baby boomers shift their focus from the lure of capital appreciation to the necessity of capital preservation, bonds are moving from a supporting role to the spotlight. Many individual investors, however, know precious little about them. Marilyn Cohen, one of the nation's best known columnists and commentators on the bond market, demystifies bond investing and offers a shopper's guide to finding great bond buys and a master blueprint for building a winning personal bond portfolio. Packed with facts, real-world examples, and savvy advice, The Bond Bible covers:

The right bonds-to-stocks ratio for a sound portfolio How to turn a bond investment from a safety net into a money-maker How to identify a genuine bond bargain How to determine which "store" gives the best value for different kinds of bonds The pitfalls of the bond market and how to avoid them The lowdown on bonds and taxes How to know when to sell a bond and for the best price The scoop on the latest trends, including on-line bond investing

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall Press (June 5, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735201382
• ISBN-13: 978-0735201385
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #203,904 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a clear and accessible book on bonds, June 30, 2000

By	Peter Deutsch (La Canada, California USA) - See all my reviews

As a novice to the world of bonds, I really enjoyed reading the Bond Bible. Unlike many other investment books, the Bond Bible is actually fun and easy to read. In plain English, the book details the structure of many different types of bonds from simple Treasuries to more complex instruments like Ginnie Maes. More importantly, the author gives the beginning investor practical advice in locating bond bargains and devolving a portfolio strategy. Best of all, the book is packed with personal anecdotes of the author's own experiences in the bond world.

As both a seasoned bond veteran and Forbes/CNBC columnist, Marilyn Cohen is able to effectively communicate her intricate knowledge of the bond market to the everyday public.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Title Gets it Right., November 22, 2002

By	C. C. Justice (Easley, SC USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"The Bond Bible" is a solid primer on bonds and bond trading for those who are not financial services professionals. Interest in fixed income investing has risen dramatically with the recent vicissitudes in the equity markets, but wise investors already had a portion of their portfolio assets in debt securities. Marilyn Cohen cites the rule of thumb that an investor should have a fixed income component equal in percentage to their age -- and while not an advocate of "rules of thumb" in general -- I agree. To steal a phrase from Warren Buffett -- it's often more important what you don't lose than what you make! The last two years in the equity markets have demonstrated the value of proper asset allocation, but before charging off to reallocate your investments into fixed income, read "The Bond Bible." A well managed bond element in your portfolio can reward you with income, capital appreciation, AND a return of principal. You won't see that in equities.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In the dark no more!, May 15, 2001

By	Gaia DiLoreto (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

I've had enough stock-talk! I've listened to the experts and alot of good its done me! Bond advice? Get real, when "experts" talk about bonds its as if they are only talking to each other! Marilyn Cohen educates her readers like real people. The Bond Bible sheds light on a very necessary part of our portfolio (whether to protect against the not-so-reliable stock market) or to plan for retirement. Thank you, Ms. Cohen, there IS another way!