The Indicator from Planet Money · Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Yields on longer-dated US government bonds have reached highs not seen since the early 2000s, driven by investor expectations of persistent inflation and a large volume of bonds for sale, including those from tech companies. These high yields increase borrowing costs for the government and impact rates for everyday borrowers, such as those seeking 30-year mortgages.
“And lately, investors are demanding more compensation for these longer-dated Treasuries.”
“These yields on the ten, twenty, and thirty-year bonds have touched highs not seen since the early 2000s.”
“The US has a huge pile of debt, and high yields on Treasuries means higher borrowing costs.”