Treasury-Backed Bond Funds Yield Robust Returns

Long-term U.S. government funds yielded 22.5% in the fourth quarter of 2008, for a three-month performance of 27.1% year to date, according to data from Morningstar Inc., as investors flocked to safety.

This surge in demand resulted in higher bond prices and lower yields. The 10-year note's yield fell to 2.07%, the lowest ever recorded. Merrill Lynch's Treasury Index was up approximately 14% for the year, the highest since 1995.