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The article discusses the performance of 10-year U.S. Treasury notes. On June 1, 2011 the yield on Treasuries reached its lowest level since December 2010. Pessimistic reports on manufacturing activity and job growth in the U.S. have made Treasuries popular with investors. However, some including Bill Gross of money-management company Pacific Investment Management Co. expect Treasury yields to rise.

The article reports that U.S. stock prices fell for the fourth consecutive week, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.6 percent in the last full week of trading in May, 2011. The average has declined by 2.9 percent for the entire month of May. It is the second consecutive May in which U.S. stock prices have declined.

The article discusses the potential impact on the prices of U.S. Treasury securities of the June, 2011 conclusion of the Federal Reserve's $600 billion Treasury-purchasing program. Some believe Treasury prices could actually rise if growth in the U.S. economy slows. Others, including Bill Gross of money-management firm Pacific Investment Management Co., say bond prices will fall once the Fed's initiative ends.

The article discusses long-term expectations for inflation for the U.S. economy. The gap between yields on plain U.S. Treasury securities and inflation-adjusted ones does not suggest investors are expecting inflation to escalate sharply. This and other indicators reflect a degree of confidence among investors that the Federal Reserve will be able to contain inflation.

The article discusses a difference of opinion between two bond-fund managers on how the bond market will react to the expected end of the U.S. Federal Reserve's program of buying government securities. Bill Gross of Pacific Investment Management Co. expects prices of U.S. Treasury bonds to decline, while Rick Rieder of BlackRock believes prices will remain stable or even rise some.

The article discusses an unintended decline in the U.S. federal funds rate. The Federal Reserve adjusts this rate when it wants to affect interest rates throughout the U.S. economy. A drop from 0.13% to 0.09% over a one-week period without any intervention by the Fed, though, has raised questions about whether the Fed will be able to manipulate the rate when it feels the need to.

The article discusses a shortage of U.S. Treasury securities in the overnight repurchase market. Rules implemented by the Dodd-Frank financial regulatory-reform law have made it too expensive for some banks to participate in the market, thus reducing the availability of Treasuries. The U.S. Federal Reserve's purchases of Treasuries have also diminished supply.

The article discusses a return to financial markets of trading activity characterized by short-term movements determined by investor attitudes toward risk, a pattern much in evidence during 2010. Investors seeking to embrace risk have been buying stocks, while U.S. Treasury bonds are a popular refuge for those fleeing risk.

The article discusses skepticism about an ongoing bull market in stocks. Since March, 2009 the Dow Jones Industrial Average has risen 86% while the Standard & Poor's 500 index has gained almost 100%. However, some worry that rising oil prices, inflation, and cessation of stimulative efforts by the U.S. Federal Reserve could conspire to push stocks down.

The article reports that various market and economic indicators have regained levels not seen since investment bank Lehman Brothers failed in 2008. Stock prices have doubled since that time, and merger activity has rebounded as well. Markets are seen to have benefited from the U.S. Federal Reserve's $600 billion program to purchase U.S. government securities, and it remains unclear how they will react if that program is not extended beyond June, 2011.

The article discusses rising mortgage rates in the U.S. During the second week of February, 2011 the fixed rate for a 30-year mortgage topped 5% for the first time since the spring of 2010. Although rising rates are an indication of gathering strength in the U.S. economy, they could also exert downward pressure on already-depressed housing prices.

The article reports that yields on 10-year U.S. Treasury bonds have risen to their highest levels since the spring of 2010, suggesting investors have become increasingly concerned about inflation. Short-term rates have remained stable, an indication that investors don't expect the U.S. Federal Reserve to take anti-inflationary measures.

The article reports that the U.S. Treasury Department is considering issuing bonds with maturities beyond 30 years. Treasury official Mary Miller dismissed the possibility of a 100-year bond, but indicated some lesser term might be possible. By extending bond maturities the U.S. could lock in currently-low interest rates for a longer period of time.

The article discusses expectations for the U.S. economy in 2011. Although some including Jack Ablin of Harris Private Bank believe the biggest risk to the economy is too-rapid growth, a majority of economists and analysts foresee modest growth and low inflation for 2011. Three possible scenarios for weak, moderate, and strong economic growth are described.

The article focuses on the effect the U.S. East coast December 27, 2010 snowstorm had on stock and bond trading. It states that the New York Stock Exchange Composite volume had the lowest full trading day of 2010, while bond trading was light with much of the trading for the U.S. Treasury Department's auction of two-year notes. It comments that a number of brokers worked from home offices and mentions the stories of several stock traders efforts to reach offices during the snowstorm.

The article reports that a rapid rise in yields on 10-year U.S. Treasury bonds has caused rates on 30-year mortgages to jump. By one estimate the average mortgage rate hit 5.09%, its highest level in 6 months. Yields on Treasuries have risen despite a $600 billion bond-purchasing program by the Federal Reserve aimed at pushing yields down.

The article discusses financial market results for December 14, 2010. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 47.98 points to finish at its highest level since September 8, 2008. The Nasdaq Composite Index added 2.81 points, and the Standard & Poor's 500 index closed 1.13 points higher on the day. The yield on ten-year U.S. Treasury notes hit a seven-month high.

The article discusses the impact of rising mortgage rates in the U.S. On December 9, 2010 the 30-year rate reached 4.61%, the highest level in several months. A spate of mortgage-refinancing activity by homeowners has likely been quelled by rising rates, which have also complicated efforts by the U.S. Federal Reserve to support the housing market.

The article discusses rising yields for both U.S. government bonds and municipal bonds in the aftermath of an agreement between U.S. President Barack Obama and Congressional Republicans on tax legislation. That pact is seen as promoting economic growth and adding to the budget deficit, developments that could push interest rates higher.

The article discusses evidence that stocks could soon begin to outperform bonds. Over a recent two-week period net inflows into bond funds were negative, while stocks could benefit from data that suggest an economic recovery in the U.S. might be gathering strength. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has gained almost 18% since early July, 2010.

The article reports that interest rates on U.S. government securities have risen despite initiation of a $600 billion security-purchase program by the U.S. Federal Reserve aimed at driving rates lower. Yields on government securities had fallen significantly in anticipation of the Fed's initiative, though, and despite the rise remain lower than in the spring of 2010.

The article discusses the favorable reaction to global markets to the U.S. Federal Reserve's announcement that it would buy $600 billion worth of U.S. government securities over an eight-month period. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose almost 220 points, while stock markets in India, Japan, and China all enjoyed healthy gains.

The article discusses implications of the U.S. Federal Reserve's decision to buy $600 billion in U.S. government securities over an eight-month period. An anticipated decline in yields could prompt investors to move funds from government bonds into riskier assets including stocks. Prices in futures markets indicate investors don't expect the Fed to start raising interest rates before June, 2012.

The article discusses the waning market impact of expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve will announce a program to purchase U.S. government bonds on November 3, 2010. Stock prices rose during the several weeks leading up to November, but have begun to decline some as published reports indicate the program might not be as large as once thought.

The article reports that the U.S. Treasury Department sold inflation-protected bonds with negative yields for the first time ever. The development suggests a belief among investors that the Federal Reserve's efforts against deflation are succeeding, and that inflation could rise in the future. If inflation doesn't materialize, bond investors could find themselves paying the government to borrow their money.

The article discusses the bond market's equivocal views on prospects for deflation and inflation in the U.S. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) issued by the U.S. Treasury protect investors from inflation and have risen close to 10% during 2010. Conventional Treasury securities, which would perform much better amid deflation rather than inflation, have appreciated about 9%.

The article reports that stock prices of major U.S. banks fell in response to worries over a possible crisis involving foreclosure on mortgage loans held by homeowners. Foreclosures have been suspended by several banks in response to reports that the documentation of many mortgage loans was improperly or illegally created and used in the foreclosure process.

The article discusses the investing climate two years after the collapse of investment bank Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. in September 2008. Investors have gravitated towards U.S. Treasury bonds and other securities that provide reliable income streams. Investments in emerging markets have also gained in popularity. Conversely, holdings of equities in developed countries have declined by over $200 billion.

The article reports that corporations are taking advantage of low interest rates by issuing large volumes of debt. By one estimate some $51 billion in corporate bonds were sold during a two-day period in September, 2010. Health-care company Allergan Inc. raised $650 million by selling bonds with a yield of 3.375%, the lowest rate for a U.S. corporate ten-year bond in at least 15 years.

The article discusses growing demand among investors for the 30-year U.S. Treasury bond. Contributing factors include a belief on the part of investors that interest rates will remain low due to weakness in the U.S. economy, and a desire by mortgage investors to hedge against losses stemming from increased mortgage-refinancing activity.

The article reports that financial markets declined on renewed fears of a slowdown in the global economy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost over 265 points, while Japan's Nikkei Stock Index fell 1.6%. Among investors' concerns was that the U.S. Federal Reserve's plans to buy U.S. Treasury debt reflected continued weakness in the U.S. economy.

The article discusses the impact on yields for U.S. Treasury notes of the Federal Reserve Board's decision to buy more government bonds. Yields on ten-year notes fell to lows not seen for over a year once news of the decision was released. However, some investors believe the Board's buying program won't have much additional impact, and that the main determinant of yields will be the state of the U.S. economy.

The article discusses the fondness of Van Hoisington, founder of Hoisington Investment Management, for U.S. Treasury bonds. For almost 20 years he has invested exclusively in such securities. Depending upon his outlook for inflation, Hoisington buys either short-term Treasury bonds or 30-year bonds. In 2010 he is buying the longer-dated bonds in the belief that inflation will fall and perhaps lapse into deflation.

The article discusses U.S. financial market results for August 6, 2010. The Dow Jones industrial Average fell 21.42 points, the Nasdaq Composite index lost 4.59 points, and the Standard & Poor's 500 index finished 4.17 points lower on the day. Oil closed at $80.70 per barrel, and the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note finished at 2.826%.

The article discusses the strong performance of bonds in comparison to stocks. While some believe this suggests stocks have become attractively priced, others think depressed stock prices reflect pessimism about the U.S. economy. A decline in private-sector borrowing could bode ill for the economy, and hence stocks.

The article discusses the popularity among investors of residential mortgage bonds backed by U.S. government guarantees. Amid signs of a struggling economy that include rising claims for unemployment benefits and declining manufacturing activity, demand for mortgage securities has driven down mortgage rates to lows not seen since the 1970s.

The article discusses U.S. financial market results for June 29, 2010.

The article discusses a potential short-term affect on U.S. Treasury notes of China's decision to allow the yuan to appreciate gradually against the U.S. dollar. China buys large quantities of Treasury securities, but a stronger yuan means it might need to buy fewer for the purpose of managing the yuan's value against the dollar. Consequently, interest rates on U.S. Treasury securities could rise.

The article reports that some U.S. investors are committing funds to both gold and U.S. Treasury bonds. Although historically these two investments move in opposite directions, they have both appreciated amid a sovereign debt crisis in Europe. A rise in inflation would tend to help gold and hurt Treasuries.

The article discusses developments in Europe's sovereign-debt crisis and prospects for the U.S. economy. Finance ministers in Europe will likely approve $527 billion in loans to combat the crisis in Greece and elsewhere. Officials in Hungary said they would impose spending cuts in an effort to avoid defaulting on the nation's debts. In the U.S. a weak employment report raised questions about how much of recent economic growth has been due to government stimulus measures.

The article reports that several firms including RBC Capital Markets and Nomura Securities International have reduced their forecasts for yields on ten-year U.S. Treasury securities. Yields have fallen amid investor concerns about a debt crisis in Europe. Previously, many analysts had expected a reviving U.S. economy and growing U.S. budget deficit would cause yields to rise.

The article reports that securities markets have declined amid investor concerns over the health of the global economy. Large investors have sold holdings in emerging markets and sought the perceived security of U.S. Treasury bills and the Japanese yen. On May 20, 2010 the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 3.6% and the Nasdaq Composite Index lost 4.1%.

The article focuses on the U.S. corporate-bond market in the wake of Europe's 2010 debt crisis. Bond prices have rebounded, but signs of strain linger across the credit markets. Statistics are offered on junk-bond yields and monthly high-yield bond issuance. Topics include demand for U.S. Treasurys and stock markets indicators.

The article discusses a growing tolerance for risk among bond investors. Alternative securities that fell out of favor amid a global financial crisis, such as pay-in-kind bonds and collateralized loan obligations, are once more finding willing investors. Low interest rates maintained by the U.S. Federal Reserve have encouraged the trend.

The article reports that key financial markets approached milestone levels on signs that an economic recovery in the U.S. is gathering strength. The yield on ten-year U.S. Treasury notes hit 4% for the first time since June, 2009. The Dow Jones Industrial Average came within 12 points of 11,000 before closing at 10973.55.

This article reports that investors poured money into buying junk bonds even as the U.S. Federal Reserve Board is preparing to end its program of buying mortgages on March 31, 2010. The government purchases allowed investors to spend their money on the high-yield bonds. Analysts are wondering what effect the end of the mortgage-buying program will have on the stock market rally and the sale of such bonds.

The article discusses reaction to suggestions by U.S. and European regulators that credit-default swaps (CDS) need to be more tightly regulated. Brian Yelvington of Knight Libertas LLC said it was unfair to blame trading in CDS for recent financial crises. H. Rodgin Cohen of Sullivan & Cromwell said abusive practices in derivative markets could be curbed through greater transparency.

The article discusses reviving credit markets in the U.S. and abroad. Several firms including Bank of America Corp. and GMAC Financial Services had successful bond sales during the week of March 8, 2010. Bond sales by European firms in March are significantly outpacing those of the previous month. John Lonski of Moody's Investors Service observes that financial liquidity for firms has improved.

The article reports that the U.S. Federal Reserve raised the interest rate on emergency loans it makes to banks. Both stocks and U.S. Treasury securities fell on the news. Craig Peckham of Jefferies & Co. said the move was one step in a multi-step process by the Fed to tighten up what has been an accommodative monetary policy.

The article discusses growing confidence on the part of investors that U.S. mortgage rates won't rise sharply once the Federal Reserve ends its $1.25 trillion program of buying mortgage-backed securities (MBS). Rising rates would cause MBS prices to fall. However, some investors believe buyers will materialize should the MBS market show weakness.