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What the bond market's telling us, and not telling us, about President Biden's withdrawal

Jul 22, 2024
The market is especially tuned in to whether we will have a divided government after the elections.
If Kamala Harris, left, becomes the Democrats' candidate and discusses her economic policies during the campaign, the bond market may take notice. But many investors don't expect either party to reduce the country's debt.
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Why are bond prices up right now? And what difference does it make?

Jun 17, 2024
Rising bond prices mean lower interest rates, indicating that the market is betting on rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.
As bond prices rise, bond yields fall. That's good for their owners — as well as consumers, people shopping for mortgages and others.
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Ten-year bond yields theoretically signal the levels of interest rates years into the future.
Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images

Why traders will be hanging on the Federal Reserve's every word Wednesday

Jan 30, 2024
The committee that sets interest rates is meeting this week, and the big question is whether — and when — they'll start cutting.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Some investors view the Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions and public statements as a "weather report" on where the economy is headed.
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Japan loosens its grip on long-term interest rates

Oct 31, 2023
The Bank of Japan’s "yield curve control policy" could be on its way out as central banks around the world raise rates to beat inflation.
Until recently, the Bank of Japan was trying to keep interest rates on bonds low to stimulate the economy. Above, the Bank of Japan building.
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Fed chair Powell's latest speech hints at caution regarding interest rates

Oct 20, 2023
Jerome Powell spoke Oct. 19 and said the Federal Open Market Committee would be "proceeding carefully."
“Given the uncertainties and risks, and given how far we’ve come, the committee is proceeding carefully," Powell said.
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Will high yields on the 10-year T-note jeopardize the "soft landing"?

Oct 4, 2023
The yield hit a 16-year record Tuesday. Could that mean trouble for the Federal Reserve's effort to cool inflation and prevent a recession?
It has long been said that if you want to know where the economy is headed, look at the bond market. Could the bond market be wrong this time?
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How the debt ceiling fight puts the indispensable U.S. Treasurys market at risk

May 26, 2023
The $24 trillion Treasury bond market plays an important role in the global financial system. Is there any viable alternative?
"U.S. Treasurys are the safest asset anywhere, even in the case of default," says Yesha Yadav from Vanderbilt. This is why essentially the entire global financial system buys U.S. government debt whenever there's a panic.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

How the Fed's rate hikes spelled trouble for banks like SVB

Mar 21, 2023
Why bonds lose value when the Fed hikes interest rates and what that has to do with banks.
Silicon Valley Bank was among the financial institutions for which rising interest rates on bonds spelled trouble.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

The bond market yield curve is inverted — which some economists think foreshadows a downturn

Mar 2, 2023
The yield for a two-year note is roughly a whole percentage point higher than the yield on the 10-year Treasury right now. And that often precedes a recession.
A 10-year bond theoretically locks up your money for 10 years in exchange for some yield or other. But its worth depends on the what the future looks like with inflation, interest rates and the economy.
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