How do interest rates affect bond fund performance?

Rising interest rates typically lead to falling bond prices due to the inverse relationship between interest rates and bond prices. When interest rates increase, newly issued bonds come to market offering higher yields, making existing bonds with lower yields less attractive to investors. To compete, the prices of existing bonds must decrease, which consequently affects bond funds that hold these bonds. Therefore, as interest rates rise, investors in bond funds may see a decline in the value of their investments.

Understanding this concept is crucial for investors as it directly impacts investment strategies. The other options do not accurately reflect the dynamics of interest rates and bond prices, as they either understate the effect of interest rates on bond funds or misrepresent the nature of price movements in response to changing interest rates.