Click here to watch the recorded session.

Keep reading for links and a high level overview of five FREE tools available to IARs for bond ladder visualization and portfolio recommendation construction.  

Visualization Tools - Affect of Interest Rates on a Bond ladder

The following tools have varying degrees of customization, and provide client-friendly tools to demonstrate a bond ladder's behavior depending on the interest rate environment.  Bonds have gotten a bad rap in recent years, but may still be a valuable tool in a portfolio for the long-term; these tools help clients visualize the potential benefits of a bond ladder.

Eaton Vance - Laddered Interest Rate Scenario Tool

• DOES NOT require you to create an account to access the tool.
• DOES NOT produce a printable report/summary.
• DOES allow you to model either a corporate bond ladder or a municipal bond ladder.
• DOES take tax brackets into consideration.

JP Morgan - Bond Ladder Illustrator

• DOES require you to create an account to access the tool.
• DOES produce a printable report/summary.
• Other Notes:
  • JP Morgan's site is something we commonly use for economic updates.
  • We strongly recommend creating an account.
  • Tool functions very similarly to the Eaton Vance tool.

Nuveen -  Municipal Bond Ladder Tool

• DOES NOT require you to create an account to access the tool.
• DOES model only municipal bonds.
• DOES produce a printable report/summary.
• DOES include training assistance/support buttons within the tool.

Portfolio tools - proxy bond portfolios for recommendations

The following tools allow you to model a portfolio for a client using proxies offered by the tool.

iShares - Build Ladders with iBonds ETFs

• DOES NOT require you to create an account to access the tool.
• DOES NOT produce a printable report/summary.
• DOES allow treasury, municipal, corporate, or high yield exposures.

Invesco - Total CX Bond Laddering Tool

• DOES NOT require you to create an account to access the tool.
• DOES produce a printable report/summary.
• DOES allow corporate, high yield, emerging markets, or municipal exposures (NO treasury).

As always, email Nicola@cgnadvisors.com with questions, or submit a help ticket!