Here are the best options for bond investors

Article Excerpt

The Bank of Canada increased its benchmark interest rate in October 2018 from 1.50% to 1.75%. Whether it continues to hold that rate steady, raise it, or cut it, depends on the country’s economic growth and unemployment levels. Meanwhile, even for our conservative investors, we caution against investing in bonds. Today’s still-low interest rates make bonds unattractive, and an interest rate rise would push down their future value. But, if you need stable income and want to hold bonds, these two funds offer lower fees and high-quality holdings. Each is a buy. ISHARES CORE CANADIAN SHORT-TERM BOND INDEX ETF $27.52 (Toronto symbol XSB; buy or sell through brokers) mirrors the FTSE TMX Canada Short-Term Bond Index. You pay a low MER of just 0.10%. That FTSE index tracks investment-grade government and corporate bonds with one- to five-year terms. The ETF holds 489 bonds; the average term to maturity is 2.85 years. The bonds are 67.3% government and 32.7% corporate. Issuers of the corporate bonds include TD Bank,…