Overseas bonds - advice needed

The first fund I invested in many years ago was a foreign bond fund - I recall I probably only made a profit as I bought when the dollar was high and when I cashed in the fund the dollar had dropped considerably.

I'm thinking that maybe the same applies today as the dollar is high and probably won't get any stronger long term (IMO). My time-frame for the investment is probably around 5 years and, as I want it relatively lower in risk than buying overseas shares, it makes sense to me to buy bonds.

Having said all that I know my knowledge of buying bonds needs beefing up so can anyone point me to good books or articles about buying foreign bonds - goverment and otherwise.
Any thoughts on how to buy bonds - are funds my only option or can I buy directly from individual countries? (I probably more interested in UK or European bonds).

Thanks for any replies

Tim

European sovereign debt crisis and you want to buy their bonds? Most safe Australian bonds.

History Repeats said:

European sovereign debt crisis and you want to buy their bonds? Most safe Australian bonds.

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Definitively would not touch euro/uk bond : Socialists back in power in France, EU implosion is now a matter of months

Thanks

You're right, European bonds might not be a wise choice but I'm still interested in taking advantage of the high Aussie dollar and want to investigate foreign bonds (possibly UK).
Any other thoughts on what would be good books or reading material on buying foreign bonds?

Tim

History Repeats said:

European sovereign debt crisis and you want to buy their bonds? Most safe Australian bonds.

Click to expand...

tims said:

Thanks

You're right, European bonds might not be a wise choice but I'm still interested in taking advantage of the high Aussie dollar and want to investigate foreign bonds (possibly UK).
Any other thoughts on what would be good books or reading material on buying foreign bonds?

Tim

Click to expand...

Not really my domain so minimal help I am afraid, but check the ETS and the IShare offers which might give you access in an ASX traded way?
DYOR obviously

tims said:

Any other thoughts on what would be good books or reading material on buying foreign bonds?

Tim

Click to expand...

No idea about books as i like to trade short term but this may interest you, although it focus towards short term trading. But check it out on Amazon and read the review.

The Treasury Bond Basis by Galen Burghardt

You can buy overseas bonds in both AUD and foreign currencies via a fixed income broker.

PM me for more info.