Section
Treasuries, yields and fixed income.
US Treasury securities are the benchmark for every other interest rate in the economy, and individuals can buy them directly from the government or through a broker. This guide explains the differences between bills, notes, bonds, TIPS and FRNs, how auctions and pricing work, and how Treasury interest is taxed.
The yield curve is one line on a chart, yet it shapes mortgage rates, bank lending and recession debates. This guide explains how the curve is built, what normal, flat, inverted and steep shapes mean, why inversions get so much attention, and how to read the curve yourself using free official data.
Bonds are sold as the steady part of a portfolio, yet bond funds can lose money in a hurry when interest rates jump. This guide explains the seesaw between bond prices and yields, what duration tells you, how credit risk and spreads work, and how individual bonds differ from bond funds.
