Category Archives: Cash alternatives

The bond market isn’t buying the Fed’s rate cuts

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com As the Federal Reserve continues on a path toward lower short-term interest rates, the bond market isn’t tagging along. Instead, yields on medium- and longer-term Treasurys have been increasing, not falling. The Fed began its latest … Continue reading

Posted in Cash alternatives, Federal Reserve, Inflation, Investing in TIPS, Tariffs, Treasury Bills | Tagged , , , , | 30 Comments

Treasury sets I Bond fixed rate at 0.9%, composite rate of 4.03%

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com There were no surprises in this morning’s announcement of the new fixed and composite rates for U.S. Series I Bonds purchased from November 2025 to April 2026. Treasury followed its past practices, setting the fixed rate … Continue reading

Posted in Cash alternatives, EE Bonds, I Bond, Inflation, TreasuryDirect | 16 Comments

TreasuryDirect did something right, but I’m still confused

Maybe it’s just me? By David Enna, Tipswatch.com TreasuryDirect has posted an updated notice about the upcoming change in rates for U.S. Series I Bonds, and this time it almost nailed it. At times in the distant past, TreasuryDirect would … Continue reading

Posted in Cash alternatives, I Bond, Inflation, TreasuryDirect | Tagged , | 20 Comments

TreasuryDirect sends another clear message: Changes are coming

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com A helpful reader alerted me last week that TreasuryDirect was asking investors to clear out their Zero-Interest Certificates of Indebtedness (C of I) holdings. Based on the wording of the email, I’d call it a “warning,” … Continue reading

Posted in Cash alternatives, EE Bonds, I Bond, Savings Bond, Treasury Bills, TreasuryDirect | 54 Comments

September inflation report sets I Bond variable rate at 3.12%; Social Security COLA will be 2.8%

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com Welcome to the most important (and most delayed) inflation report of the year: For September, seasonally adjusted U.S. inflation increased 0.3% and the annual rate ticked up from 2.9% to 3.0%, the beleaguered Bureau of Labor … Continue reading

Posted in Cash alternatives, Federal Reserve, I Bond, Inflation, Social Security, Treasury Bills | 31 Comments