As investors have become more comfortable with the idea of achieving fixed income exposure through the exchange-traded structure, bond ETF assets have skyrocketed and the number of funds has increased rapidly. For those in higher tax brackets, municipal bonds have always been a popular option, as the tax-exempt feature of the interest payment boosts the tax-equivalent yield realized. And many in these higher tax brackets have embraced ETFs as the most efficient means of achieving exposure: the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund (MUB) has more than $2 billion in assets. But while MUB is the most popular ETF offering exposure to the muni bond market, it’s hardly the only option available. Below, we profile more targeted muni bond ETF options covering various durations, credit qualities, and geographies [for more ETF insights, sign up for our free ETF newsletter]: [click to continue…]
Allstate Corp., the largest publicly-traded insurer of homes and automobiles in the U.S., announced this week that it is making some major shifts in its investment portfolio that now exceeds $100 billion. The Northbrook, Illinois-based company announced that it is reducing its exposure to commercial real estate and municipal bonds in favor of corporate debt.
