The Long of It

The decision by the federal government earlier this year to reintroduce the 30-year Treasury bond generated excitement at some mutual funds, insurance companies and other institutional investors. The financial press responded with sweaty-palm coverage about how pent-up demand drove long-bond bidding at the February auction, the first since 2001. And another auction is coming in August. But small-fry investors don't need to worry too much about it all.

Long bonds were never especially popular with individual investors. That's not likely to change now, since short-term interest rates are paying bond investors about as much as long-term rates. If you can gain as much from a 10-year note as a 30-year bond, why lock up your money for longer? For some institutional investors, there are perfectly rational reasons. A pension fund manager, for instance, might want to match assets to liabilities that are drawn out over decades. But time is more likely the enemy of individual investors, as inflation eats into the long-term fixed interest rate on their long bonds.

If you want an investment backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, consider other ways to get it. Treasury bills and notes are available for periods ranging from four weeks to 10 years. And Treasury inflation-protected securities, or TIPS, adjust every six months based on the Consumer Price Index and can be bought in maturities from five to 20 years. As long as you're willing to invest in $1,000 increments, the various Treasury products are easy to get through the government's Legacy Treasury Direct program without the fuss and muss of a broker.

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Income-oriented investors might also be interested in municipal bonds, which can be a good option if you have at least $100,000 to throw into the pot to create some diversification. Bond funds are an even simpler option: Many pay interest monthly rather than semiannually or annually, which makes cash-flow management easier. And good, low-cost funds are available in increments other than $1,000.

The bottom line: The long bond is back, but don't ask me to invest in one.