Yield and YTD return

[smooch]

I know I am asking some very basic questions, but I’m just learning, so I hope you don’t mind. We are invested in PIMCO Real Return (PRTNX). If the yield is 4.62%, according to Morningstar, how can the YTD return be .71? I would have thought the return would also be 4.62%.

[JPatrick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by smooch I know I am asking some very basic questions, but I’m just learning, so I hope you don’t mind. We are invested in PIMCO Real Return (PRTNX). If the yield is 4.62%, according to Morningstar, how can the YTD return be .71? I would have thought the return would also be 4.62%.

Generally YTD reflects the change in NAV after adding div.* I'd bet your chart is heading south.* Yield probably reflects the divs paid. You can earn nice divs, but if the overall value goes down so does your overall return.* Bad year for bonds

[smooch]

So this fund had a negative return. It has an expense ratio of 1.4%. Morningstar classifies it as Long Government. Should we be in this kind of fund at all? I'm looking for a Vanguard fund to replace it. I see the Long Term Bond Index, which has an ER of .18% and has a YTD return over 2%. But I thought I also read on here that it is not a good time for long term bonds. Is Long Gevernment the same as long term bond? Is there a better option?

[brewer12345]

1.4% expense ratio on a bond fund is outrageous. If you decide to stick with long govt bonds, at least find a cheaper fund. Vanguard offers cheaper funds, and there is an exchange-traded long govt bond fund (TLT) that is a lot cheaper than that.

Personally, I don't think long bonds are a real great place to be right now. I'd probably stick with medium term or something like the Lehman Aggregate bond index. Either that, or go find a high yielding CD. Looks like you can get CDs yielding 5% or better with terms of a couple of years.