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A loan to the US government. Very safe but lower returns.
Why It Matters
US Treasury bonds are considered the safest investment in the world - the US has never defaulted on its debt. They're the benchmark against which all other investments are measured. When markets panic, investors flee to Treasuries ('flight to safety'). The '10-year Treasury yield' you hear about constantly is the key interest rate that influences mortgages and stock valuations.
Key Points
- T-Bills (under 1 year), T-Notes (1-10 years), T-Bonds (10-30 years) - different maturities, same safety
- Interest is exempt from state/local taxes (though not federal tax)
- You can buy directly from TreasuryDirect.gov or through ETFs like SHY, IEF, or TLT
Related Terms
Common Questions
A loan to the US government. Very safe but lower returns. US Treasury bonds are considered the safest investment in the world - the US has never defaulted on its debt. They're the benchmark against which all other investments are measured.
US Treasury bonds are considered the safest investment in the world - the US has never defaulted on its debt. They're the benchmark against which all other investments are measured. When markets panic, investors flee to Treasuries ('flight to safety'). The '10-year Treasury yield' you hear about constantly is the key interest rate that influences mortgages and stock valuations.
T-Bills (under 1 year), T-Notes (1-10 years), T-Bonds (10-30 years) - different maturities, same safety
Interest is exempt from state/local taxes (though not federal tax)
You can buy directly from TreasuryDirect.gov or through ETFs like SHY, IEF, or TLT