Exchange traded funds are known for their ability to provide diversification, low cost alternatives, asset allocation and exposure to hard to reach markets and sectors. From a portfolio management and asset class perspective, bond ETFs do such a thing, however, it is equally important to understanding the inherent risks involved with these versatile investment tools.
The first risk involved with bond ETFs is the risk of default. Bond ETFs hold actual bonds which are promissory notes. So in essence, these promissory notes are only as good as the government, agency or corporation that issues it.
The second risk is interest-rate risk. If interest rates rise higher than the bond coupon rate, then an investor is losing out and will have to sell their bond at a discount. One could hold the bond ETF to maturity, but that involves great opportunity cost. The longer the maturity of a bond, the greater the interest-rate risk. For this reason, the iShares Barclays 20+ Year Treasury Bond Fund (TLT) carries a substantially higher interest rate risk, while the iShares Barclays 1-3 Year Treasury Bond Fund (SHY) carries very little.
The third, and probably biggest, risk involved is inflation risk. This influences bond ETFs when the coupon rate on bonds held is 3%, for example, and inflation is 5%. There are bonds that are immune to inflation, such as the iShares Barcalys TIPS Bond Fund (TIP), which is an inflation-protected bond ETF, but most fixed income ETFs carry interest rate risk and deflation risks. If prices start to drop, then an inflation adjustment will be worthless.
Bond ETFs are essential to a well balanced portfolio, but as with everything else, it is important to know the advantages and disadvantages that are involved.
