As the market continues to move deeper into the first quarter of 2026, the fixed income landscape calls for more stability. A new U.S. Federal Reserve chairman and ongoing market uncertainty could lead to more volatility ahead. That said, investors may want to prioritize quality and flexibility when considering bonds as a ballast. One fund that can serve this need is the Fidelity Investment Grade Bond ETF (FIGB).
The fund primarily invests in U.S. dollar-denominated, investment-grade securities. Diversification is apparent in the fund’s holdings, which include corporate bonds, government agency debt, and mortgage-backed securities (MBS). It can serve as a standalone fund for investors looking to specifically add aggressive U.S. bond exposure.
Active Adaptability
At 36 basis points, FIGB is competitively priced when considering its active management. The fixed income market carries its own unique set of complexities and risks, which warrant an active strategy.
Fidelity’s portfolio managers have the autonomy to adjust the holdings of the fund to fit current market conditions, making the FIGB an all-weather solution. This bodes well for the fund whether a new Fed chair prefers aggressive rate cutting or pivots to rate hiking to combat inflation.
The fund is mainly comprised of investment-grade bonds. Therefore, FIGB provides a defensive buffer for a portfolio while still capturing income. The managers can expose the fund to various parts of the yield curve to determine the best position to capture the highest yields. That is a luxury not afforded to passive funds. Furthermore, index funds construct their holdings based on market weight. In contrast, FIGB’s active strategy means that its portfolio managers can avoid sectors exhibiting signs of credit stress.
Quality Matters More Than Ever
The flight to quality is 2026 in not just relegated to equities. The fixed income market requires a similar risk mitigation strategy that investment-grade bonds can provide.
Getting bond exposure couldn’t be easier since the advent of the ETF, with its structural benefits such as liquidity, flexibility, low cost, and tax efficiency. For investors looking to add more stability to a 60-40 portfolio or to add a reliable income stream, FIGB fits the mold.
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Fidelity Investments® is an independent company unaffiliated with VettaFi LLC (“VettaFi”). These articles do not form any kind of legal partnership, agency affiliation, or similar relationship between VettaFi and Fidelity Investments, nor is such a relationship created or implied by the articles herein. VettaFi LLC is the author and owner of these articles.
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