What makes a bond fund appreciate (other than interest rates)?
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THE FUNDAMENTALS OF THE UNDERLYING CREDITS IMPROVE AND THE BOND RATING AGENCIES RAISE THEIR RATINGS
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The risk free rate is typically defined (in the US) as the Treasury rate.  However, it is not specified as to which maturity to look at.  If you are looking at a particular investment or corporate bond, I would recommend going with a Treasury rate having a similar maturity to the investment you're analyzing.\n\nThe Fed has a site called FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) with lots of info on it.  I've listed the site below, along with one where you can find interest rate data.  You can just look for the file that has a monthly frequency and then find the appropriate maturity.
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Long term debt implies a bond. It is not difficult to value a bond...you'll need the terms of the repayment. (Amount outstanding, nominal interest rate, payment frequency, maturity, rating, etc) and you'll be able (or someone else will) to fairly value the long term debt.
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none of the bonds. A mutual fund is nice as is a Roth IRA; and forget the 1.6% savings account.\n One way to make 18% on your money is to cut up those credit cards thereby saving the interest 6-24%, and pay cash..\nDave Ramsey has a great financial peace series he teaches calles FPU financial peace university
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Yahoo finance has volume data on the exchange traded bond funds.  For example ARK shows an average volume of 115,000 and 84,400 on Friday, Nov 18. \n\nYou can find a listing of all exchange traded bond funds at this link.\n\nhttp://www.etfconnect.com/select/FindAFund.aspx
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What premium bonds are you talking about?  We need a lot more details if you seriously want any help.
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The 401k is great if the employer provides some kind of match.  If you are looking to buy some government bonds, I would go with the I bond which currently has an interest rate of 6.73%\nCheck out http://www.treasurydirect.gov for more info.
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You can buy them through many investment firms: Schwab, Vanguard, eTrade, etc.  There are many bonds that their rates/mature-period vary somewhat.  Some are also tax-free, others are not.\n\nYou could go to vanguard.com to do some (free) research.  Or you could visit Schwab office, and someone would be happy to go over that with you.
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It doesn't matter on a free to purchase investment such as a bond bond, but it can matter on stocks.\nIf you put down $100 once a week to purchase stock at a $15 buy fee, that a loss of 15% purchase power each week.  If you put in $1,000 every 10 weeks, you loose 1.5% purchase power, but the volitility on stocks can move that much in one or two days.  You might miss on the run up if you wait, but you take a big loss if your buy fee eats up a good percentage of what you want to put in.
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i think its the money that u will have when you sell your bond,and you can use it for purchasing a house.for more informations you can use this site: http://money.cnn.com/pf/101/lessons/7/
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Stocks mostly yield less than the risk free rate, yet they are a popular investment because their prices can appreciate.  A riskless bond usually has limited or no price appreciation.  the bond will mature on a known date with a known value.  But a stock can rise and rise in value.  You would invest in a stock if you think it is likely to rise over the long term.  \n\nIn your question you actually ask "why would you hold on to it?" implying you already own something with a low yield.  I must admit if I had a bond that had a yield to maturity less than that of a Treasury of the same maturity, I would sell the bond I have and buy the Treasury!
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I have worked with the managers running Calamos and they are a smart group.  Calamos is the master behind convertable bonds, even has written a few books on the subject.  Without looking up the specific funds, I can tell by the yield that these are likely to converts and hi yld bonds.\nIf you are unaware of the risks of hi yld and converts then you should learn first.  I hate the old saying of "high return = high risk" as this is not always true, but, that said, hi yld bonds could present a problem as the consumer continues to weaken and the economy slows.  Hi yld is likely to result in lower returns if defaults pick-up.  In much the same way, the converts are likely to have lower yields as the equity kicker does not pick-up do to the lower returns.\nHowever, Calamos and his Naperville crew are well aware of this, and managing their open ended funds accordingly.  But wait, you said closed end!  And here comes the additional problem to consider.  Closed end funds should trade at NAV (net asset value), however this is not always the case as the value of the fund is based upon supply and demand.  Now, the closer to maturity (or unlocking) of the closed end fund, the less likely the fund will trade below or above NAV.\nGiven the two back drops I would wait for expectations of rates to decline when investing in hi-yld and converts.  Especially closed end funds.
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Yes. Very good - since I-Bonds are pegged to inflation - so the interest rate will rise or fally with inflation/deflation. IBonds protect you if you think inflation will occur.
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if you are looking for an investment for a youngster with long term horizon then I would consider stocks rather than bonds.  bonds simply can't provide capital appreciation...\n\nconsider buying a stock and ordering the stock certificate and framing in their room...heck look at google or some marquee big name...\n\nbut if you insist on bonds then go with the the I bonds. good luck.
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Clarification on bond markets in rising rate environments. The longer the maturity (or duration in the case of bond funds) the more the value of a bond holding will be eroded by a rise in interest rates. Rotate bond holdings towards shorter maturities.
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Read the book "The Intelligent Investor".  Summary is to buy stock and bond index funds with low rates.  The % of each depends on how risky the market is and your personal comfort with risk.
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Bonds and T-bills, Low risk, decent returns.