A:
Once investors know the approximate due dates and yields of their holdings, they can do a few simple calculations in a spreadsheet or other program to calculate thier income. Here is a breakdown of the due dates for some common fixed-income sources:
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Bonds & CDs – Government, corporate, and municipal bonds tend to pay their interest semiannually, but exactly which months will depend on the individual issue. Information about specific bond coupons can be obtained from account statements or from a broker or advisor directly. The same semiannual schedule also applies to certificates of deposit (CDs) from a bank or other institution.
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Money Market & Mutual Funds – Many fixed-income mutual funds and exchange-traded funds will pay their income monthly. The exact amount distributed each month will vary based on market conditions, but a current yield figure can be found online or through a broker and used to calculate a pro-rated amount that will be sent to your account each month.
- Stocks – Common stocks that pay dividends typically distribute this income once per quarter, or four times per year. Yield figures for stocks can also be found through many media outlets or through a financial advisor. Companies generally try to increase their dividends over time, but most do so slowly, and so investors should assume a relatively constant yield over short time frames. Preferred stocks may pay their dividends quarterly or monthly, but the dividend rate is typically locked in at issuance.
A hypothetical portfolio could look like this on an income estimation spreadsheet: