Fixed income, often referred to as the "fixed income market" or "fixed income securities," encompasses a wide range of investment assets that pay a fixed amount of income at regular intervals. These investments are known for their predictable cash flows and are typically considered lower risk compared to equities (stocks). Fixed income investments include:

    Bonds: Bonds are the most common type of fixed income securities. When you buy a bond, you are essentially lending money to the issuer (which can be a government, corporation, or other entity). In return, the issuer pays periodic interest (coupon) payments and returns the principal amount at maturity.

    Treasury Securities: These are bonds and notes issued by the government and are generally considered the safest fixed income investments. Examples include Treasury bills (T-bills), Treasury notes, and Treasury bonds.

    Corporate Bonds: These are bonds issued by corporations to raise capital. They offer higher yields than government bonds but come with varying levels of credit risk, depending on the financial health of the issuing company.

    Municipal Bonds: Issued by state or local governments, municipal bonds are used to finance public projects. They often offer tax advantages, as interest income from municipal bonds is often exempt from federal income tax.

    Asset-Backed Securities (ABS): These securities are backed by a pool of assets, such as mortgages, auto loans, or credit card debt. The cash flows generated by these underlying assets are used to make payments to investors.

    Preferred Stocks: While not bonds, preferred stocks have characteristics of both stocks and bonds. They offer fixed dividend payments and are ranked higher in the capital structure than common stocks.

    Certificate of Deposit (CD): CDs are time deposits offered by banks with fixed interest rates and maturities. They are typically insured by the government up to a certain limit, making them relatively low-risk.

    Money Market Instruments: These are short-term, low-risk securities, including Treasury bills, commercial paper, and certificates of deposit, typically with maturities of one year or less.

The primary features of fixed income investments are regular interest payments and, in most cases, the return of the principal amount at maturity. The interest rate, also known as the coupon rate, is predetermined when the investment is made, providing investors with a known income stream. The yield on fixed income investments depends on factors such as the coupon rate, current market interest rates, and the creditworthiness of the issuer.

Fixed income investments are often favored by conservative investors, retirees, and those looking for a stable income stream. However, it's important to consider factors like interest rate risk, credit risk, and the issuer's financial health when investing in fixed income securities.