There’s nothing more satisfying than one’s long-term investments yielding returns in the form of fixed income. Such fixed-income investments offer stability and can be of great financial support, even if a person isn’t earning for a certain period or has retired. For working individuals, they serve as a valuable additional source of income. Vanguard, a renowned registered investment company, offers several reliable fixed-income avenues that ensure stability and high returns.

Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares
This long-term municipal bond fund comprises 3,275 bonds in its portfolio. Most of these bonds mature between 20 and 30 years, but some mature between 10 and 20 years. The best part about this fixed-income investment is that it is tax-free at a federal level. Investors must invest a minimum of $3,000 in this fund, after which they must pay an annual net expense ratio of 0.17%.

Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VWITX)
Unlike the high-yield fund investment avenue by Vanguard, this one provides a moderate level of income and is tax-free at the federal level. Although moderate, the income provided by this fund is still enough for comfortable sustenance. The bond fund has nearly 12,700 bonds in its portfolio, with 40% of these bonds having a maturity period of 10-20 years. With an annual net expense ratio of 0.17%, this fund is highly suitable for those looking for fixed, moderate incomes in the long run.

Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Investor Shares (VWEHX)
This fund essentially invests in corporate bonds of low to mid quality; as a result, the securities it invests in are usually high-risk and belong to several sectors. But the best part about this fund is that the annual net expense ratio is a meager 0.23%, and it provides a fixed income based on the performance of its constituent securities. So, it is a cost-saving investment avenue for investors who don’t mind taking some risk.

Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund
These days, several emerging industries and markets promise high levels of success in the coming years. One way to encourage such sectors while generating income for the masses is by offering funds with securities that invest in such emerging markets. The Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund is one such avenue that invests extensively in emerging markets. Also, they provide consistent, long-term returns to investors, making them highly suitable for those looking for a steady, income-based bond investment. But if a certain budding industry underperforms, the bond investment may also perform poorly, which can reduce the returns for investors.

Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund
The Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund incorporates over 1,000 government and corporate bonds and provides a moderate, sustainable income level. Investing in established and budding industries, this fund has a diversified portfolio that includes securities from different countries. As a result, one also has a hedge against inflation and economic crises specific to the country. At the same time, it might be subject to high risks of losses because of economic issues in other countries. So, the Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund may be described as a moderate-risk fund.

Tips to choose the best Vanguard bond investment funds
Understand risk tolerance
While some Vanguard bond funds are low-risk investments, others may be moderately risky, depending on where one invests one’s money. Potentially lower returns might be a cause of concern for such investors. In such cases, one should always go for Vanguard bond funds that invest in very low-risk securities. It’s a good idea to research the fund and evaluate the risk before investing.

Assess potential returns
The risk-return ratio of a Vanguard investment fund should be assessed closely to understand whether it is worth investing in the avenue. If the risks one is undertaking are higher than the expected income, it’s best to look for ones with a better balance of these factors.

Check the annual net expense ratio
The annual net expense ratio is usually mentioned as a specific percentage. For example, if this percentage is 0.30, one would have to pay $30 per year for every $10,000 one invests in the fund. Since it is a yearly expense, high annual net expense ratios can take away from the fund earnings in the long run. So, investors should always check the annual net expense ratio before going in for a Vanguard bond investment fund.

Understand income requirements
Another determining factor is whether the income earned from an investment will be the only income source for the individual. If so, one should look for Vanguard bond funds that are likely high-yielding. But if one is sure that there will be other sources of income besides the investment fund, a low-yielding fund is unlikely to do any harm.

Attend Vanguard seminars
The Vanguard Fixed-Income Forum brings together finance and investment sector leaders to debate highly pressing investment issues, which can help investors tackle such problems efficiently. So, when investing in a Vanguard bond fund, it’s a good idea to attend these seminars to gain insights into the various options and the best ones to invest in.

Fixed-income investments are an excellent way to earn stable and consistent returns. Vanguard offers several reliable fixed-income avenues that offer stability and high returns for investors. Apart from these, Vanguard also offers several index funds that track the performance of a specific market, making them a popular choice for many investors.