It comes about because the Federal Reserve System, in its so far failed effort to stimulate the economy, has fixed the short-term interest rate at 0%.

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Still, floating-rate bond funds may be the best fixed-income deal available in an environment of rising short-term interest rates.

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Currently, a parent can sell shares of the family-owned business to the child for a fixed long term interest rate as low as 2.52%, and not incur a gift tax because of the loan rate.

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If interest rates rise, active fixed-income investors could invest in short-term bonds, which tend to remain fairly stable in rising rate environments, or use floating rate funds, which are more insulated from the negative impact of rising rates.

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