Non-Traditional Bond ETFs

Most of these ETFs tend to invest by pursuing strategies that diverge in some way from conventional practice in the bond-fund universe. One hallmark of non-traditional bond funds is their use of leverage and derivatives to either hedge or increase particular risk exposures. Other bond funds are placed into this category simply because they are unconstrained with respect to the types of bonds they can buy (i.e., any maturity and any level of default risk). We are definitely cautious with this category given the combination of leverage in some cases and exposure to potential rising interest rates. We therefore view this category as better suited for moderate investors, but may consider this more to aggressive investors when rates do begin to creep higher.