United States
Municipal Bond Funds
What Are Municipal Bonds?
Municipal bonds, or munis, are debt securities issued by states, counties, cities, agencies and local districts to finance capital and infrastructure projects, such as roads and bridges, schools, administrative buildings and other public projects. Interest on most municipal bonds is exempt from regular federal income tax in addition to the state and local income taxes in the state or locality where they are issued.1 Some municipal bonds are also exempt from income tax in other states.
Why Invest in Municipal Bonds?
Muni bonds historically have had very low default rates compared to other types of bonds because they are issued by governments or their legal authorities. This has made them a compelling choice for investors seeking a reliable source of income that is also usually free from regular federal income tax. On an after-tax basis, municipal bonds typically yield more than taxable alternatives.
Types of Municipal Bonds
Franklin Templeton offers national and state-specific munis. Each possess their own characteristics, level of risk and tax treatments.
Tax-Free Munis
- General obligation (GO) bonds: “GOs” are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the issuer, such as a state or city, meaning it can levy taxes as much as necessary in order to pay interest and principal on the bonds. In most cases, interest on GO bonds is payable first before any other obligation.
- Revenue bonds: Interest on these bonds is backed by the revenues from a specific public project, such as a toll road, electric power plant, or water and sewer facility. These bonds usually pay higher interest rates than GO bonds.
Taxable Munis
Some muni bonds aren’t eligible for a federal tax exemption because they exceed Internal Revenue Service limits on private business use or private security or payment tests. However, they are typically still exempt from state and local taxes. Examples include bonds issued to finance local sports facilities, some types of housing, refinancing debt, or to finance shortfalls in state and local pension funds.
Taxable muni bonds generally yield more than comparable U.S. Treasury bonds and some corporate bonds while benefiting from state and local tax exemption.
1. For investors subject to the alternative minimum tax, all or a portion of the interest may be taxable, depending on the investment. Distributions of capital gains are generally taxable.
Bond Funds or Individual Bonds?
Just as equity investors can invest in individuals stocks or in stock funds, muni investors have the option of buying individual municipal bonds or muni bond funds. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages.
Muni funds generally offer a wide diversification of credit risk, an important consideration when investing in debt securities. Individual bonds often must be purchased in large dollar amounts, which may potentially put them out of reach for certain investors, while bond funds can be purchased at a relatively small minimum investment.
Depending on the issuer, individual bonds may be difficult to sell prior to maturity, which may negatively impact the price received. Bond fund shares, by contrast, can usually be sold daily (or intraday in the case of ETFs2) at the prevailing market price. Bond funds may also benefit from professional investment management.
2. ETFs trade like stocks, fluctuate in market value and may trade at prices above or below the ETF’s net asset value. Brokerage commissions and ETF expenses will reduce returns.
Our Approach To Municipal Bonds3
Active Research Matters
An active, research-driven approach is critical given the vast size, nuance and complexity of the municipal market. Our deep team of research analysts conducts comprehensive analysis of every opportunity across all sectors in the municipal bond universe, covering the quality spectrum in both primary and secondary markets.
Seek Relative Value Opportunities
We seek to identify and capture attractive relative value opportunities by carefully analyzing and managing yield curve positioning, credit spreads and coupon and call structures to help deliver tax-efficient portfolios, while aiming to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns.
Emphasis on Risk Management
Our team places a premium on risk management which is incorporated fully within our deep credit research process, portfolio construction process and with an independent risk management team, enabling us to better understand, quantify and optimize where we allocate risk across our portfolios.
Experience and Expertise
With more than 40 years of municipal bond investing experience and a seasoned team of over 30 investment professionals, we have one of the largest and most tenured teams in the industry.
3. Information as of 09/30/20.
Our Municipal Bond Strategies
Franklin Templeton is one of the largest municipal managers in the nation. Over 30 tax-free strategies cover all geographies and the full credit quality spectrum and are available through mutual funds, ETFs and SMAs.
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See a full list of Franklin Templeton Municipal Bond Funds.
Federal Muni Strategies
How Do I Buy Municipal Bond Funds From Franklin Templeton?
Discuss with Your Financial Professional
Share this page with your financial professional to learn if municipal bond funds are appropriate for your portfolio.
Don't Have a Financial Professional?
Opening an account at Franklin Templeton is easier than ever. We offer IRAs and other standard account types.
Important Legal Information
This website does not provide investment advice or investment recommendations. It is intended for educational and informational purposes only.
What Are the Risks?
All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Because municipal bonds are sensitive to interest rate movements, the fund's yield and share price will fluctuate with market conditions. Bond prices generally move in the opposite direction of interest rates. Thus, as prices of bonds in the fund adjust to a rise in interest rates, the fund's share price may decline. Puerto Rico municipal bonds have been impacted by recent adverse economic and market changes, which may cause the fund's share price to decline. Changes in the credit rating of a bond, or in the credit rating or financial strength of a bond's issuer, insurer or guarantor, may affect the bond's value. The fund may invest a significant part of its assets in municipal securities that finance similar types of projects, such as utilities, hospitals, higher education and transportation. A change that affects one project would likely affect all similar projects, thereby increasing market risk. By clicking on the fund name, you will be taken to a more detailed fund information page which includes main investments and risks.
To view the latest publicly disclosed Puerto Rico holdings information, please click here.
For more information on any of our funds, contact your financial professional or download a free prospectus. Investors should carefully consider a fund’s investment goals, risks, sales charges and expenses before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.
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Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc.
