What type of bonds typically have the highest risk associated with them?

High-yield (junk) bonds are typically associated with the highest risk due to several factors inherent in their design and the entities that issue them. These bonds are issued by companies or organizations that have lower credit ratings, meaning they are perceived as less likely to meet their debt obligations. As a result, investors demand higher yields to compensate for the increased risk of default.

The financial health of the issuers can be quite variable, and economic downturns or industry-specific challenges can significantly impact their ability to repay the bond's principal or make interest payments. This higher level of volatility and uncertainty makes high-yield bonds inherently riskier than other bond types, such as investment-grade bonds, government bonds, or municipal bonds, all of which typically offer more stability and lower default risk.