What is a Yield Curve? Recessions Leading Indicator: In this episode of Ask The Professor, Professor Milligan explains Yield Curves and how understanding them can help you predict when a recession will occur.

These curves are a graphical representation that show the relationship between the interest rates (or yields) of bonds of the same credit quality but different maturity dates. Typically, it is used to depict the yields of government bonds, such as U.S. Treasury bonds, which are considered risk-free benchmarks. The x-axis of the yield curve graph represents the time to maturity (from short-term to long-term maturities), while the y-axis shows the yield or interest rate at which the bond is sold.

They can take several shapes, each indicating different market conditions or economic expectations:

Normal Yield Curve: An upward-sloping curve indicates that longer-term bonds have higher yields compared to shorter-term bonds. This shape is considered “normal” because it reflects the expectation that investors require higher returns for taking on the increased risk and locking away their money for a longer period. A normal yield curve is associated with healthy economic growth.

Flat Yield Curve: When the yields on short-term and long-term bonds are very close, resulting in a flat curve, it suggests uncertainty in the economy. Investors may be unsure whether future economic growth will be strong or weak, leading to similar yields across different maturities.

Inverted Yield Curve: A downward-sloping curve indicates that shorter-term bonds have higher yields than longer-term bonds. An inverted yield curve is often seen as a predictor of economic recession. The rationale is that investors may expect future interest rates to fall as central banks lower rates to combat a slowing economy, leading them to accept lower yields on long-term bonds.

Steep Yield Curve: A steep curve occurs when the difference between short-term and long-term bond yields is greater than normal, often indicating expectations of rising inflation or strong economic growth.

The shape of the curve is closely watched by economists, investors, and policymakers as it provides insights into market sentiments, future interest rate movements, and potential economic shifts. Changes in the curve can impact various sectors of the economy, including banking, real estate, and consumer spending.

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