Is the yield curve talking to us?

Jun 28, 2018
A lot of attention is being paid right now to what’s known as the yield curve. And if you don’t know what that is, it’s essentially the difference between interest rates on short-term and long-term government bonds. In a growing economy, you typically see higher rates on the 10-year Treasury note than you do on […]
A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.
Andrew Burton/Getty Images

ECB to end stimulus. Is Europe's economy out of the woods?

Jun 14, 2018
The European Central Bank announced today it is doing something the Federal Reserve has been doing for several years now: It’s taking its foot off the gas pedal of the economy — in this case, the eurozone economy. Specifically, it’s ending its practice of buying up bonds. So is the eurozone back on track? Click […]

The Fed talks interest rates with an eye toward the yield curve

Jun 12, 2018
The Federal Open Market Committee begins its two-day meeting today to talk interest rates. The Fed is expected to raise its target rate by a quarter of a point for the second time this year. And with unemployment reaching a new low last month and inflation creeping up, analysts expect officials to keep raising rates […]

Trading in financial markets is becoming more of a headache

May 8, 2018
Is there a liquidity problem in some real financial markets?
Traders at the Chicago Board Options Exchange.
Joshua Lott/Getty Images

Puerto Rico governor says to people in informal housing "It's time to go"

Apr 27, 2018
We check in with Gov. Ricardo Rosselló on housing, education, pensions, and who is actually in charge.
Puerto Rican Gov. Ricardo Rosselló in his office in San Juan in 2018.
Peter Balonon-Rosen/Marketplace

What will rising bond yields mean if the economy keeps heating up?

Feb 13, 2018
The Fed is expected to raise interest rates multiple times this year, which could affect interest rates and yields in the broader bond market. Today a top bond trader at Goldman Sachs forecast the yield on the 10-year Treasury will rise to as high as 3.5 percent by the summer. We haven’t been in a […]

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Here’s why bond yields are rising

Feb 6, 2018
When investors pull their money out of stocks and need some place to put it, they often turn to the bond market. U.S. Treasuries are considered essentially risk-free. So investors can park their cash, earn some interest and know their money will be kept safe and sound. As investors moved money from stocks to bonds […]

Here’s why bond yields are rising

Jan 9, 2018
When you buy 10-year Treasury bonds, you are essentially making a 10-year loan to the government. The returns on those loans are rising every day. There are a couple of reasons for that — and there are a couple of economic messages there as well.  Click the audio player above to hear the full story. 

Why the bond market is trading on the tax bill

Dec 20, 2017
Today, Republicans celebrated the passage of their tax bill. Some predicted that the stock market would soar on the news. But it’s the bond market that has had the most interesting reaction to the bill’s passage. Here’s why.  Click the audio player above to hear the full story.