Personal Finance

Some Treasury bills are now paying 5%. Here's what investors need to know


MStudioImages | E+ | Getty Images

If you’re looking for a relatively safe place for cash, Treasury bills have recently become more attractive, experts say.

Backed by the U.S. government, Treasury bills, or T-bills, have terms ranging from four weeks up to 52 weeks, and investors receive interest when the asset matures.

Over the past year, T-bill yields have jumped following a series of interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve — with the possibility of more to come. T-bill yields have been low since the Great Recession, with the exception of 2018.

“I think people are shocked that yields are as high as they are,” said certified financial planner Anthony Watson, founder and president of Thrive Retirement Specialists in Dearborn, Michigan.

Currently, shorter-term Treasury yields are higher than longer-term yields, which is known as an inverted yield curve. “What that means is the market is expecting rates to come down in time,” Watson explained. 

Still, T-bills yields are competitive when compared to other options for cash, such as high-yield savings accounts, certificates of deposits or Series I bonds, he said. Of course, the best choice depends on your goals and timeframe.

How interest rates affect bond values

How to pick the right T-bill term

Stocks face stiff competition from cash, says market forecaster Jim Bianco

He said the 26-week T-bill rates seem to reflect that investors expect continued rate hikes until that point. But terms past the 26-week, such as the 1-year T-bill, are “still pretty attractive.”

However, the looming U.S. debt crisis may also affect investors’ willingness to purchase T-bills maturing around the deadline, Enna said.

“It seems like a very small risk, but people will be aware of that as we get toward the summer,” he said.

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect one of the terms for Treasury bills. An earlier version misstated the time frame.



READ SOURCE

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.