You can quickly obtain corporate bond information on the Internet without relying on a corporate bond consultant for this information. One thing you will learn is that corporate bonds differ from stocks. You don’t own any shares. Instead, the company is borrowing money from you. In return, it pays you interest over a certain period of time.

One of the reasons why corporate bond investing is attractive is that investors can get higher yields. When looking at corporate bonds for sale as potential investments, do the following:

1. Understand corporate bonds relative to other types of investments.

2. Learn about corporate bonds by following corporate bond indices.

3. Examine the idea of corporate bond funds rather than individual bonds.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn how corporate bonds differ from other investments

If you're going to buy corporate bonds, you must first understand what they are. Websites will explain how corporate bonds differ from stocks. They will also explain why corporations issue high-yield bonds. In addition, you will also understand the difference between high yield corporate bonds versus fixed-rate bonds. Finally, these websites explain how and why interest rates have an impact on bond prices and yields.

I recommend: PIMCO provides solid corporate bond information. For example, it explains why corporations issue corporate bonds. They may want to expand their operations or upgrade their equipment. Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association also offers corporate bond market information where it explains the different types of corporate bond investing.

Study corporate bond indices to get more knowledge on corporate bonds

Study corporate bond indices if you are looking for an individual corporate bond to invest in. Corporate bond indices can provide you some leads. Another reason to study corporate bond indices is that you can get their total returns. Not only will you get corporate bond listings, you'll learn the latest information on prices, volume, coupons, and accrued interest.

I recommend: You will want to look at Bloomberg, since it has two corporate bond indices, NASD/Bloomberg U.S. Corporate Bond Indexes and NASD/Bloomberg Investment Grade U.S. Corporate Bond Index. The website provides the latest in price, volume, and yield. Dow Jones Indexes is another website you will want to visit. It focuses on high-grade U.S. corporate notes. If you’re interested in historical performances on the corporate bond index, Dow Jones Indexes provides this information as well.

Learn about corporate bonds mutual funds as an alternative to individual bonds

Perhaps you don't want to invest in individual corporate bonds. You think they're too risky. Look into corporate bond funds. Corporate bond funds can be considered safer to invest in, and you won't have to put up much of your money in corporate bond investing. This is because other investors invest in these securities, as well. As a result, the bond investment management team can diversify by investing in other corporate bonds. This helps to reduce risks.

I recommend: T.Rowe Price explains who should invest in corporate bond funds; it also has a corporate bond mutual fund you can invest in. Educated Investor also provides good information on corporate bond funds.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider subscribing to a financial newsletter for making the most of corporate bonds. Newsletters can provide a wealth of information, such as reading interviews on corporate bond traders. You can also get in-depth information on both corporate bonds and corporate bonds funds.

Say 'bonds' and most investors picture sleepy government-issued Treasuries or municipal bonds -- safe but low return. But experienced investors know that corporate bonds, even junk bonds, can be very high yield fixed income instruments and quite liquid.

Depending on your investment strategy, a good selection of corporate bonds can turn a conservative portfolio into a strong performer without dramatically increasing risk. High yield bonds, and especially junk bonds, require professional advice before investing. But key to beginning that conversation is first understanding corporate bonds and high yield bonds of all types.

In this guide to high yield fixed income and corporate bonds, you'll learn:

1. Differentiating types of corporate bonds.
2. How to buy, track and trade high yield bonds.
3. High yield bonds, high-yield fixed income and so-called 'junk' bonds.
4. How to measure risk when buying high yield bonds.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choosing from types of corporate bonds

When governments large and small anywhere in the world need money, they can tax or borrow. If they borrow, it's a bond, which is paid back with interest. Since it's government and generally safe, the interest paid is low, even zero when adjusted for inflation (although government bonds are normally tax exempt). Corporate bonds, however, are loans by investors to companies. Here, depending on the company's financial history, interest paid is higher, even competitive at times with stock market returns.

I recommend: The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority offers a decent database to explore investing in corporate bonds.

Buying and selling corporate bonds and high-yield debt

Most of us won't buy individual corporate bonds, instead investing in a mutual fund that buys bonds or as part of a so-called 'targeted fund' investment that includes an increasing portion of less-risky corporate and government bonds as the investment target date nears. However, one can buy and sell bonds like any stock in a normal brokerage account.

I recommend: Among the bigger mutual funds companies that market corporate bonds in funds and individual corporate bonds, consider Fidelity, Vanguard, Schwab and TD Ameritrade.

Want more risk and return? Corporate bonds can do that

Even a few decades ago, corporate bonds were a pretty sleepy investment. Then Wall Street took companies down on their luck, rechristened their high yield fixed income instruments 'junk bonds' and made a killing selling high yield bonds debt to a market hungry for something new. Junk bonds are out. They now call junk bonds 'high yield bonds' or 'high yield fixed income.'

I recommend: Check out eye-popping double-digit returns on junk bonds on the Yahoo! Finance page on high yield bonds or this screen from MSN Money on high yield bond funds.

Track your risk when investing in corporate bonds

The upside of corporate bonds and high-yield fixed income like high yield bonds is better returns. The downside, of course, is the potential for a given corporation to go under, making those corporate bonds worthless paper.

I recommend: Watch your risk while investing in high yield bonds by researching the ratings of corporate bonds through ratings agencies, like Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch Ratings.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If your goal is income or cash preservation, government bonds are lower risk. Buy high yield fixed income bonds only if you can withstand some losses.
• •  Double-digit returns for long periods is virtually impossible. Take any such claim about high yield bonds with a big grain of salt.
• •  As with stocks, blue chip corporate bonds pay less but tend to be safer, while junk bonds sold by companies in turnaround mode offer risk, but greater reward.

If you're looking to a career in finance, learning about corporate bonds may be one aspect of the financial world that may interest you and also widen your career opportunities. From corporate notes to high yield corporate bonds, you can learn about it all with the proper corporate bonds education and training.

Whether it's getting a formal degree in finance or attending corporate bond seminars and conferences, there are a few ways you can pursue corporate bonds education and training. Follow any one of these paths and get exposed to all aspects of corporate bond market information, from corporate bond quotes and corporate bond rates to how to buy corporate bonds:

1. Get a formal degree in finance to help you begin a career working with corporate bonds.
2. Enter an internship with a financial investment company which offers corporate bond investing.
3. Attend seminars and conferences which include corporate bond information.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Follow the traditional path to a financial career in corporate bonds

A degree in finance from an accredited college or university is a critical first step in preparing for a future as an investment banker, financial consultant or finance manager. A bachelor's or master's degree in finance can help get you in the door at many financial investment companies. Many college courses in finance will cover analysis and management of corporate bonds.

I recommend: The Boston College Carroll School of Management includes pre-requisite courses in its undergraduate finance program like Investments and Corporate Finance, which cover bond portfolios as well as corporate bond rates. Get a degree in finance from the Stephen D. Cutler Center for Investments and Finance at Babson College, which offers courses that cover corporate bond pricing and value.

Work directly with a financial company to get hands-on corporate bonds education and training

Some financial investment companies offer internship programs for those looking to get into the financial arena. Working directly with a professional financial advisor is a great way to learn hands-on about high yield bonds, corporate notes, corporate bond quotes and corporate bond investing.

I recommend: Finance internships at top financial companies in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, D.C. are available to college students from the University of Dreams finance internship program. Edward Jones, a top financial investment company, offers branch internships that provide the opportunity to work one-on-one with a financial advisor.

Join a financial association and benefit from corporate bond seminars and conferences

There are many benefits to joining a professional association when you begin work as a financial advisor, consultant or manager. Besides professional accreditation, many industry organizations offer learning experiences in the way of seminars and conferences. You can learn a lot of corporate bond information by enrolling in an appropriate seminar or conference.

I recommend: The Association for Financial Professionals conducts a Corporate Treasury Management (CTM) program that includes cash management, investing and financial risk management. Attend financial conferences hosted by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), which includes the Bond Market Association.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Subscribe to financial publications to read up and get educated on the latest corporate bond market information.