iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF provides significantly higher liquidity and a much larger assets under management (AUM) base than its State Street competitor. State Street SPDR Portfolio Long Term Corporate Bond ETF is more cost-efficient with an expense ratio of 0.04% and offers a higher trailing dividend yield.
Investment-grade corporate bonds are one of the largest fixed-income sub-asset classes in the market, with the iShares iBoxx $ Inv Grade Corporate Bond ETF being the largest ETF in this space. LQD yields 4.8% with a high-quality portfolio and a duration of 7.7 years. Fundamentals are fine, in-line with market averages. Federal Reserve hikes are something of a headwind for the fund, and it compares unfavorably to some of its peers too.
The iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:LQD | LQD Price Prediction) closed last week at $109.36, up about 6.5% over the past year as the Fed cut rates three times between October and December.
For investors in the top federal tax bracket, the Invesco National AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:PZA | PZA Price Prediction) offers something rare: a monthly paycheck the IRS cannot touch.
If you own iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:LQD | LQD Price Prediction) for the monthly check, the recent run of distributions has been steady.
FreeGulliver LLC reduced its stake in iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:LQD) by 69.7% during the undefined quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,560 shares of the exchange traded fund's stock after selling 5,900 shares during
iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF offers diversified exposure to US investment grade corporate bonds with $31.5B in assets. LQD yields approximately 4.9% net after expenses, with a 30-day SEC yield of 4.94% and an effective duration of 8 years. The fund is a solid choice for those trying to stay away from the equity bubble, but you can definitely find better individual bond choices.
The iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF is not the lowest expense ratio option to target this particular duration. In addition to that, we are not terribly keen on long to very-long duration bonds. One of the issues we have, in addition to particularly low compensation for credit risk at the moment, is the low yield spread.
We think higher credit spreads are probable to occur and that the iShares iBoxx $ Investment could face residual backlash after higher yield bonds, especially given the vehicle's sector concentration. Unsecured bond exposure heightens risk due to higher loss given default. Moreover, lower rates are anticipated, which could trigger call risk and/or reinvestment risk. An effective duration of 7.99 can lead to upside if interest rates settle lower. That said, dislocations usually occur, where duration turns negative in stressed economic environments.
The LQD ETF isn't offering enough extra yield compared to safer US government bonds to be worth the risk. Credit spreads remain too tight, in my opinion. This presents a risk for the current holders of corporate bonds in case of an economic slowdown in the US. I maintain my "Sell" rating on the LQD ETF.
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