Ten years treasury yeild determines the mortgage rates.. it is the most important number in macro economics.. it is not controlled by Fed ..
Flight to safety ! No ..
It's important to understand that the 10-year Treasury yield isn't "determined" by a single entity, but rather by market forces. Here's a breakdown of the key factors that influence it:
* Market Forces:
* The 10-year Treasury yield is primarily determined by the supply and demand of 10-year Treasury notes in the open market.
* Investors buying and selling these bonds drive the yield up or down.
* Key Influencing Factors:
* Inflation:
* Higher inflation erodes the purchasing power of future bond payments, so investors demand higher yields to compensate.
* Economic Growth:
* Strong economic growth often leads to higher yields, as investors may shift their funds towards riskier, higher-return investments.
* Federal Reserve (Fed) Monetary Policy:
* The Fed's decisions on interest rates and its bond-buying programs significantly impact Treasury yields.
* For example, when the Fed raises interest rates, Treasury yields tend to follow suit.
* Investor Confidence:
* In times of economic uncertainty, investors often seek the safety of Treasury bonds, driving up their demand and lowering their yields.
* Conversely, during times of economic confidence, investors tend to seek riskier investments, which will lower the demand for treasury bonds, and therefore raise the yield.
* Treasury Auctions:
* The U.S. Treasury Department holds auctions to sell Treasury notes, and these auctions play a role in setting the initial yield. However, the yield continues to fluctuate in the secondary market after the auction.
In essence, the 10-year Treasury yield is a reflection of the market's collective assessment of economic conditions, inflation expectations, and the Fed's policy outlook.