High Yield Bond

High-yield bond funds and ETFs focus on the high-yield or junk segment... High-yield bond funds and ETFs focus on the high-yield or junk segment of the fixed-income market. The yields on high-yield bonds tend to be higher than on investment-grade bonds, because the issuers are at the low end of the credit quality spectrum that indicates a greater risk of default. These securities are typically rated below Baa3 by Moody's, or below BBB by Standard and Poor’s (S&P). High-yield bond funds and ETFs can hold domestic and international junk bonds, issued by government or non-government entities, of various maturity spectrums depending on the fund’s underlying mandate. The average duration (time to maturity) of a fund’s portfolio indicates how sensitive its price will be to changes in interest rates. Accordingly, investors concerned about the possibility of a rise in interest rates will tend to own high-yield bond funds and ETFs with a low duration. Meanwhile, investors who think interest rates may fall will tend to own high yield bond funds and ETFs with a higher duration. The funds can be High Yield Municipal Bond or High Yield Corporate Bond depending on the strategies of the respective portfolios. Last Updated: 06/04/2026 View more View less

High-yield bond funds and ETFs focus on the high-yield or junk segment of the fixed-income market. The yields on high-yield bonds tend to be higher than on investment-grade bonds, because the issuers are... High-yield bond funds and ETFs focus on the high-yield or junk segment of the fixed-income market. The yields on high-yield bonds tend to be higher than on investment-grade bonds, because the issuers are at the low end of the credit quality spectrum that indicates a greater risk of default. These securities are typically rated below Baa3 by Moody's, or below BBB by Standard and Poor’s (S&P). High-yield bond funds and ETFs can hold domestic and international junk bonds, issued by government or non-government entities, of various maturity spectrums depending on the fund’s underlying mandate. The average duration (time to maturity) of a fund’s portfolio indicates how sensitive its price will be to changes in interest rates. Accordingly, investors concerned about the possibility of a rise in interest rates will tend to own high-yield bond funds and ETFs with a low duration. Meanwhile, investors who think interest rates may fall will tend to own high yield bond funds and ETFs with a higher duration. The funds can be High Yield Municipal Bond or High Yield Corporate Bond depending on the strategies of the respective portfolios. Last Updated: 06/04/2026 View more View less