Investment Grade

What it is:

Investment grade is a quality designation ascribed by rating agencies to bonds that have little risk of default.

How it works/Example:

Municipal and corporate bonds are rated by credit agencies, such as Standard & Poor's and Moody's, based on the creditworthiness of the issuer. Investment grade indicates that a bond is a safe, low-risk debt instrument on which the issuer is unlikely to default.

Ratings of BBB- or higher by Standard & Poor's or ratings of Baa3 or higher by Moody's designate a bond as investment grade. Ratings are subject to change depending of the financial health of the issuer.

Why it matters:

Credit ratings allow investors to better gauge the risks level associated with a specific bond. Investors seeking lower-risk debt tend to choose investment-grade bonds.

Bond investors should be aware that a decline in a bond's rating could adversely affect its market value.

5 Credit Cards That Will Pay You Hundreds Just For Signing Up (2019)

What's even better than earning rewards for spending on your credit cards? Getting paid hundreds of dollars worth in sign-up bonuses in three months or sooner -- just for trying out a new card.Wh...

The Top 4 Balance Transfer Credit Cards for 2019

Tired of dragging credit card debt around with you? Taking 15 minutes to transfer your debt to a credit card with generous balance transfer perks could save you thousands in interest charges and ...

The 5 Best Rewards Credit Cards for 2019

If you're going to spend money anyway, then why not get paid for it?Whether you're looking for credit cards with up to 6% cash back, double flight miles, or even a free hotel stay each year, ther...

How a CD Ladder Strategy Can Boost Your Income as Interest Rates Rise

by Christian HudspethIn times where interest rates are on the rise, you may start hearing financial advisors and bankers sing the praises of an income strategy called "CD laddering" (short for ce...

Should You Sell Your Own Home or Use a Realtor?

Those of us familiar with selling property know real estate agents don't come cheap. With real estate agent commission and fees amounting to as much as 6% of the selling price (that's $18...

6 Secrets to Saving Money On Your Balance Transfer Credit Card

Beverly Harzog is a nationally recognized credit card expert, author, and consumer advocate. She blogs about credit cards at BeverlyHarzog.com. Being in credit card debt is the pits. I've bee...

The 4 Worst Home Refinancing Mistakes People Make (and How to Avoid Them!)

If you haven't already felt the pressure to refinance your mortgage, you're probably really feeling it now. Mortgage rates are still hovering near historic lows. But with the economy improving...

Closing on a Mortgage? This Sneaky Lender Trick Could Cost You Thousands

If you or someone you know is thinking about getting a home mortgage, you may want to know about the thousands of dollars in hidden charges that some lenders are quietly adding to mortgage loans ...

Money Market vs Savings: Which Account is Best for You?

by Christian Hudspeth Money market accounts (MMAs) and savings accounts make great places to set aside your emergency fund money and earn some interest income at the same time.Simply put, these s...

4 Situations When a Personal Loan is a Good Idea

by Christian Hudspeth It's true that auto loans and home loans offer attractively-low annual percentage rates (APRs), while credit cards offer borrowing power without the risk of ever seeing the ...

5 Things to Know Before Opening a CD

by Christian HudspethWant to keep your emergency fund safe while earning interest yields that are three to five times higher than a typical savings account? Putting your money into an FDIC-insure...

The Best Way to Start Investing When You're Young

Question: Hi there. I need your advice. I'm only 19 and I really need to start investing. Where can I start? -- Tirelo M., Gaborone, Botswana Answer: You've definitely got the right thinkin...

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 06/06/2019 - 07:22

Investment Grade

What it is:

How it works/Example:

Why it matters:

Related Terms