What is one risk associated with municipal bond funds?

Fluctuating values due to interest rate changes is a significant risk associated with municipal bond funds. When interest rates rise, the prices of existing bonds tend to fall, which can lead to a decrease in the market value of the fund. This occurs because new bonds are likely issued at higher yields, making the older bonds with lower yields less attractive. As a result, investors may find that the value of their investments in municipal bond funds can vary significantly depending on the prevailing interest rates. Consequently, while municipal bonds are generally considered safer investments compared to other bond types, they are still subject to market risks, particularly interest rate risk, which can affect the performance of the bond fund.

Other options, such as guaranteed fixed returns, lack of federal tax benefits, and taxation concerns, either do not apply to municipal bond funds or misrepresent their characteristics. Municipal bonds typically provide tax-exempt income, which adds to their appeal, and there are no guarantees of fixed returns as market conditions will always influence bond prices.