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Short-term Government Bond Funds
Funds that primarily invest in U.S. government securities which may include Treasury bills, notes, bonds, mortgage-backed securities issued by government lending agencies and other Treasury securities with maturies less than five years. Larger funds in this category incliude:
JP Morgan Treasury and Agency Select (OMBAX) - yield 4.63%, YTD return 1.59%, 2007 return 6.56%, minimum investment $10,000
Vanguard Short Term Treasury (VFISX) - yield 3.90%, YTD return 3.38%, 2007 return 7.62%, minimum investment $3,000
Vanguard Short Term Treasury (VSGBX) - yield 4.29%, YTD return 2.95%, minimum investment $3,000
Fidelity Spartan Short (FSBIX) - yield 3.76%, YTD return 3.78%, 2007 return 7.71%, minimum investment $10,000
Intermediate-term Government Bond Funds
Funds that primarily invest in U.S. government securities which may include Treasury bills, notes, bonds, mortgage-backed securities issued by government lending agencies and other Treasury securities with maturities typically between five and ten years. Larger funds in this category include:
Morgan Stanley U.S. Government (USGAX) - yield 4.60%, YTD return -1.95%, 2007 return 6.50%, minimum investment $1,000
Vanguard GNMA (VFIIX) - yield 5.07%, YTD return 2.23%, minimum investment $3,000
Fidelity Government Income (FGOVX) - yield 4.26%, YTD return 3.88%, minimum investment $3,000
Long-term Government Bond Funds
Funds that primarily invest in U.S. government securities which may include Treasury bills, notes, bonds, mortgage-backed securities issued by government lending agencies and other Treasury securities with maturities typically ten years and longer. Larger funds in this category include:
Vanguard Long-Term US Treasury (VUSTX) - yield 4.46%, YTD return 4.05%, minimum investment $3,000
T Rowe Price US Treasury Long Term (PRULX) - yield 4.22%, YTD return 4.66%, minimum investment $2,500
Inflation-Protection Funds
Fund which specifically target offering a return that exceeds or matches inflation are available for investors who might need inflation protection in their portfolio.
Franklin Real Return A (FRRAX) - yield 4.92%, YTD return 3.88%, 2007 return 9.83%, $1,000 minimum investment
DWS Inflation Protected Plus (TIPIX) - yield 2.80%, YTD return 3.96%, 2007 return 11.57%, $1,000,000 minimum investment
State Farm Interim (SFITX) - yield 3.65%, YTD return 3.21%, 2007 return 7.41%, $250 minimum investment
Hartford Inflation Plus A (HIPAX) - yield 4.80%, YTD return 5.70%, 2007 return 11.58%, $1,000 minimum investment
Schwab Inflation Protected Select (SWRSX) - yield 5.39%, YTD return 5.11%, $50,000 minimum investment
Returns and yields are provide by Yahoo Finance but are not updated daily. Front-end or deferred fees may apply. Check with an advisor regarding suitability of an investment before purchasing.
Posted 4/16/08