Fed & Macro
Yield Curve
The plot of Treasury yields across maturities whose shape signals growth, inflation, and recession odds.
Also known as: Term Structure, Curve
- What it is
- The yield curve maps Treasury yields from short to long maturities. Its slope reflects market expectations for growth, inflation, and Fed policy. An inverted curve, with short yields above long, has historically preceded recessions.
- How it moves markets
- Curve shape drives bank net-interest margins, valuation multiples, and recession positioning. A steepening or inversion shifts sector leadership and risk appetite. Investors read the curve as a macro regime signal.
- Track record
- Inversions of the 2-year/10-year Treasury spread have historically preceded U.S. recessions, prompting defensive rotation.
- Who it affects
- Banks (XLF), rate-sensitive sectors, bond proxies (TLT, SHY).
- Related terms
- federal-funds-rate, fomc, sector-rotation
- Common misread
- Inversion signals recession with long and variable lag; trading it as an immediate crash trigger has burned many.
- Watch out for
- The lead time between inversion and downturn can be a year or more.
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