Competitive bond pricing | Explore bond trading with Fidelity (2024)

Minimum markup or markdown of $19.95 applies if traded with a Fidelity representative. For U.S. Treasury purchases traded with a Fidelity representative, a flat charge of $19.95 per trade applies. A $250 maximum applies to all trades, reduced to a $50 maximum for bonds maturing in one year or less. Rates are for U.S. dollar-denominated bonds; additional fees and minimums apply for non-dollar bond trades. Other conditions may apply; see Fidelity.com/commissions for details. Please note that markups and markdowns may affect the total cost of the transaction and the total, or "effective," yield of your investment. The offering broker, which may be our affiliate, National Financial Services LLC, may separately mark up or mark down the price of the security and may realize a trading profit or loss on the transaction.

1. Fidelity commissioned Corporate Insight to study bond pricing, available online, for self-directed retail investors from three brokers that offer corporate and municipal bonds for comparison to Fidelity’s standard online pricing. The study compared online bond prices for more than 27,000 municipal and corporate inventory matches from February 4 through March 7, 2022. It compared municipal and corporate inventories offered online in varying quantities. The study found that, on average, the three online bond brokers identified in the chart were asking $15.14 more per bond. Corporate Insight determined the average price differential by calculating the difference between the prices of matching corporate and municipal bond inventory at Fidelity, including Fidelity’s $1 per bond markup for online trades vs. the prices offered online for the same bonds from the three brokers in the table, then averaging the differences of the financial services firms. The analysis included investment grade corporate and municipal bonds only.

In general, the bond market is volatile, and fixed income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities). Fixed income securities also carry inflation risk, liquidity risk, call risk, and credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties. Lower quality fixed income securities involve greater risk of default or price changes due to potential changes in the credit quality of the issuer. Foreign investments involve greater risks than U.S. investments and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, and economic risks. Any fixed-income security sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss.

Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Member NYSE, SIPC, 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917

740118.15.1

Competitive bond pricing | Explore bond trading with Fidelity (2024)

FAQs

Does Fidelity allow bond trading? ›

On Fidelity.com, you can buy and sell secondary market fixed income securities such as bonds, or participate in new issue fixed income offerings.

How much does Fidelity charge for bond trading? ›

For U.S. Treasury purchases traded with a Fidelity representative, a flat charge of $19.95 per trade applies. A $250 maximum applies to all trades, reduced to a $50 maximum for bonds maturing in one year or less.

How do traders price a bond? ›

The price of a bond is determined by discounting the expected cash flows to the present using a discount rate. The three primary influences on bond pricing on the open market are supply and demand, term to maturity, and credit quality. Bonds that are priced lower have higher yields.

What are the two main types of fidelity bonds? ›

Two popular types of fidelity bonds are business services bonds, which are specifically designed to protect clients when employees enter their home or place of business, and employee dishonesty bonds, which protect companies from financial loss should an employee or group of employees engage in fraudulent activities.

Can you actively trade bonds? ›

Government and agency bonds include U.S. Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities that have high credit ratings and are actively traded.

Can you buy Treasury bonds in a Fidelity brokerage account? ›

Newly issued Treasuries can be purchased at auctions held by the government, while previously issued bonds can be purchased on the secondary market. Both types of orders can be placed through Fidelity.

Should I use Fidelity or Charles Schwab? ›

Overall Appeal. Fidelity and Schwab are both excellent choices. These investment firms offer thousands of funds. There are some nuances, such as Fidelity being better for crypto traders and Schwab being more optimal for futures traders.

How do I avoid Fidelity fees? ›

Escaping the Fidelity Recordkeeping Fee can be achieved through strategic actions such as closing the account, seeking fiduciary services, and considering alternatives to minimize financial obligations. Closing the account is a straightforward approach to avoid the fee entirely.

Should I use Vanguard or Fidelity? ›

While Fidelity wins out overall, Vanguard is the best option for retirement savers. Its platform offers tools and education focused specifically on retirement planning.

How do bond traders make so much money? ›

There are two ways that investors make money from bonds. The individual investor buys bonds directly, with the aim of holding them until they mature in order to profit from the interest they earn. They may also buy into a bond mutual fund or a bond exchange-traded fund (ETF).

What is the best way to track bond prices? ›

In most cases, if you have a brokerage account, you will have access to that firm's research tools, which may include bond quotes and other information. This is the first place that you should look when seeking bond information.

What makes a good bond trader? ›

Math skills, quick instincts and creative thinking are key to becoming a great bond trader. A bond trader's primary responsibility is to make secondary markets to investors. Traders buy and sell bonds with investors and their competitors on a principled or agented basis.

What is the most popular form of fidelity bond? ›

The most popular form of fidelity bond is a business service bond. They are also known as business bonds or janitorial service bonds.

How does a fidelity bond work? ›

Unlike insurance, you must then pay this amount back to the insurer. For example, if a dishonest employee at an accounting firm steals from a client, a fidelity bond would reimburse the client for the money they lost, and the firm would pay that amount back to their insurance company.

What is another name for a fidelity bond? ›

Employee Dishonesty Insurance, often broadly referred to as a “fidelity bond,” is a type of business insurance that offers an employer protection against financial losses that are caused by its employees' dishonest misconduct.

Can you buy high yield bonds on Fidelity? ›

You may search for and purchase high yield bonds at Fidelity.com, where you can choose the credit rating levels appropriate for your portfolio and risk tolerance.

What are fidelity bond requirements? ›

To qualify for a fidelity bond, the job seeker or employee must meet all of the following criteria: Provide verifiable proof of authorization to work in the United States. Have a firm job offer or commitment of employment with a reasonable expectation of permanence. Not be commercially bondable.

What is a fidelity bond policy? ›

Fidelity Bonding is a business insurance policy that protects employers against employee dishonesty, theft or embezzlement. A fidelity bond is no-cost insurance coverage from $5,000 up to $25,000 that enables employers to hire job applicants considered to be "at risk" due to their past life experiences.

Can I buy I bonds through brokerage? ›

Another disadvantage to I-bonds is the fact that you have to purchase them directly from the Treasury via the website, TreasuryDirect.gov, which means you can't buy them through your brokerage with your other investments.

References

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