Current Income
Investors whose top priority could best be described as “current income,” or simply “income,” are looking for regular cash returns from their investments. Whether monthly, quarterly, semiannually, or annually, these investors seek investments that offer a predictable cash payout and are relatively stable. Current income investors are often retirees or individuals who need the income to meet their living expenses. Portfolios that need to generate regular and stable cash returns may invest in a combination of fixed-income securities, such as U.S. Treasuries, agency bonds, municipal bonds, and corporate bonds, as well as equities that emphasize income over growth, such as preferred stocks, REITs, and dividend-paying stocks. Stocks that pay no or a low dividend are unacceptable, as is any other investment that does not offer a regular cash return to the investor. Current income investors may also be concerned about minimizing taxes on investment income so that the maximum amount of money stays in their pockets. If a customer is in a high tax bracket and values current income, municipal bonds are an excellent choice because the interest earned is tax-free. More about the tax status of federal, municipal, and corporate bonds is covered later in this chapter.
REITs must pay at least 90% of their profits in