Bond ratings indicate a bond's credit quality, helping investors assess default risk. The three major bond ratings agencies are Moody's, Standard & Poor's, and Fitch Ratings. Investment-grade ...

The grading system varies slightly among the agencies. The ratings are used by investors to judge the riskiness of a bond ...

Thus, risk-averse investors looking to earn a regular tax-free income may consider municipal bond mutual funds ... in securities with lower credit ratings. VMLTX advisors try to maintain a ...