A Message In the Bond Market.

The article reports on the implications for small investors of a flattening yield curve when the gap between short-term and long-term interest rates narrows. Efforts by the Federal Reserve Board to ward off inflation by increasing short-term rates are bringing them within the range of long-term rates and they could eventually go higher. This could signal an economic slowdown and a decline in the stock market. Corporate bonds could also be negatively impacted. Those with bank stocks, high-yield bonds, or homes with a big adjustable rate mortgage could face difficulties.