PIMCO Long Duration Total Return InstlPLRIX

For the few investors that truly need it, PIMCO Long Duration Total Return is a solid option.

Most investors don't need a long-term bond fund. That's because longer-maturity bonds are extra sensitive to changes in interest rates and are thus susceptible to sharp gains and losses, making the funds difficult to use effectively.  Read more 

The Barclays Capital U.S. Long Government/Credit Bond Index is the benchmark. Its portfolio comprises big stakes in U.S. Treasury, government-agency, and investment-grade corporate bonds, with periodic slices of municipal bonds, Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, high-yield, and emerging-markets debt added in.  Read more 

Steven Rodosky heads up the effort here. Rodosky is responsible for applying PIMCO's calls on interest rates, curve positioning, and credit outlook to the long-term bond sectors. He works extensively with colleagues on the firm's specialist teams (primarily in investment-grade corporate bonds, emerging-markets debt, and municipal bonds) to handle bond selection.  Read more 

This fund is a solid option for investors seeking diversified long-term bond exposure as part of a strategic asset allocation or liability-matching program. Its long duration and emphasis on higher-quality bonds is likely to court significant volatility, making it difficult for most other investors to use properly.  Read more