The TLT ETF is a major fund that tracks U.S. long-term Treasury bonds with remaining maturities of over 20 years. Since its launch in 2002, it has been favored by investors. Its investment targets include various long-term U.S. Treasuries, which are considered a stable component of asset allocation due to their high safety.
With the continuous interest rate hikes in the United States, the yield of TLT has reached over 4%, consistently providing cash dividends and creating predictable returns similar to fixed deposits for investors. However, long-term bonds are sensitive to interest rate changes, leading to significant price fluctuations, and the investment risk cannot be ignored.
Although interest on U.S. Treasury bonds is exempt from withholding tax for non-U.S. residents, in practice, different brokers may vary, and some will still withhold 30% tax initially, which investors can apply for a tax refund. This factor is one of the costs that investors need to pay attention to.
TLT is suitable for diversified allocation, and it is recommended to combine it with short-term bonds and corporate bonds to balance volatility. When holding, attention should be focused on interest income, viewing it as a long-term stable cash flow source, and be aware of the mental stress that exchange rate and price fluctuations may bring.
The TLT ETF is not only a representative of long-term US Treasury bond investments, but also an important indicator of global interest rate trends. Understanding the underlying interest rate changes and tax mechanisms helps investors to make stable allocations in volatile markets, achieving a balance between returns and risks.