Q: Greetings 5i,

I am making an effort to increase my US bond exposure, and am considering adding a full position (5%) in AGG to compliment my current bond holdings TDB and XHY (at roughly 4% each). My reasoning is that the addition of a US aggregate index will not only add multiple levels of diversification (geographical, currency, bond types, etc.), but also a higher degree of stability should the US economy decline; thereby, at least theoretically, putting pressure on XHY's corporate holdings. If I were to add this position, the three aforementioned holdings would make up the entirety of my bond exposure, as the majority of my fixed income investments are GIC ladders.

I am 36 years old, debt-free, conservative, and only invest with a "buy and hold" mindset. My investment portfolio is solely for the purpose of expediting my retirement, and I will have no need of its funds for the foreseeable future.

Based on my situation, does the addition of AGG sound like a reasonable course of action to you?

Thank you.