Bonds are an important part of any good asset allocation, and here are 3 bond funds from the Pimco firm as recommended in a recent Kiplinger magazine article.

PIMCO bond total return (PTTAX).

Manager Bill Gross sticks to investment grade, intermediate-term U.S. bonds for this fund. The expense ratio for this fund is 0.90%, and yields 4.97% and has a YTD return of 10.44%.

By comparison, the Harbor Bond fund (HABDX) carries an expense ratio for this fund is a mere 0.60% of assets and the yield is a respectable 3.91% and has a YTD return of 10.89%.

As you can see from the chart, performance parity of the two funds is very tight.

PIMCO Investment Grade Corporate (PBDDX).

Manager Mark Kiesel has the latitude to venture into other sectors with this fund, but his performance suggests it’s warranted. The fund’s D shares have a YTD return of 12.57%, expense ratio of 0.90% and yield 4.82%.

PIMCO Emerging Local Bond D (PLBDX).

This fund invests in emerging markets debt that is denominated in the local currency. Admittedly, it’s a bit riskier than the other two, but it also provides global diversification. Currently the YTD return on this fund is a whopping 19.81%, and the expense ratio is higher as well, coming in at 1.35%. The yield is a very nice 5.37%.

All funds in this article are rated 5 stars by Morningstar

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