[header] How to protect against bond risks [title] Choose bonds with a solid rating and credit ranking. [step] Do some research on the standard and poor's ratings service for current bond ratings and the municipal securities rulemaking board's (msrb) electronic municipal market access (emma) website. A bond with a rating of bb or higher has been issued by a company found to be in good credit and financial standing. 
[title] Ask your broker for information on the disclosure methods and history of the bond issuer. [step] An issuer that fails to supply information on its current financial status should be considered a high risk.