Why US Treasury Yields Are Rising: The Ultimate Guide for Investors
The Eternal Seesaw: Bond Yields vs. Bond Prices Before diving into why US Treasury yields are rising, there is one golden rule you must etch into your mind: the seesaw principle that "when bond yields go up, bond prices go down." Let's break this concept down with a simple story. Imagine you lent $10,000 to the US government. In return, the government gives you an IOU promising to pay you 3% interest ($300) every year. This IOU is essentially a government bond. Satisfied with your reliable $300 annual income, you tucked this IOU away safely in your vault. A year later, however, the economic landscape shifts drastically. Commercial bank interest rates rise, and the US government finds itself needing more money. Consequently, the government issues new IOUs, announcing, "From now on, anyone who lends us money will receive 5% interest ($500) annually." Suddenly, you need cash urgently and are forced to sell your "old 3% ...