As stocks continue their roller-coaster ride, more Americans than ever turn to bonds for reliable income and safety of principal - often with little information on which fixed income vehicles will best suit their needs. In this environment, it is important to understand every detail of the fixed income markets - from rules and regulations that affect bond investors to proven fixed income asset allocation models, characteristics of popular bonds, call and convertible features, and more.Fundamentals of the Bond Market is a contemporary, in-depth guidebook to understanding the ins and outs of today's surprisingly versatile bond marketplace. Plain-English analyses and explanations combine with checklists, charts, and graphs to provide information on:*Bond mutual funds - Three steps to determine the best fund for any investor*Corporate, Municipal, Convertible and Zero-Coupon Bonds - How, why and which to buy for individual portfolios*Treasury securities - How and why to invest in T-bills, notes, and bonds*Tips of the Trade - Techniques to calculate yields, buy and sell different types of bonds, and more