Treasury Yields Vary

Published March 20, 2026

U.S. Treasury yields fell early in the week as investors looked ahead to the Federal Reserve’s policy update on interest rates. Yields rose toward the end of the week as the latest employment data showed lower than expected jobless claims.

On Wednesday, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announced an 11-1 vote in favor of keeping interest rates in the range of 3.50% to 3.75%. This marks the second consecutive meeting where the Fed has maintained current rates. The members revised their view on the economy, now expecting slightly faster growth and higher inflation in 2026.

“The forecast is that we will be making progress on inflation, not as much as we had hoped, but some progress on inflation” said Federal Reserve Chair, Jerome Powell. “The rate forecast is conditional on the performance of the economy, so if we do not see that progress, then you will not see the rate cut.”

The benchmark 10-year Treasury note yield opened the week of March 16 at 4.28% and traded as low as 4.17% on Wednesday. The 30-year Treasury bond opened the week at 4.90% and traded as low as 4.82% on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that initial claims for unemployment decreased by 8,000 to 205,000 for the week ending March 14, below economists’ expectations of 215,000. Continuing claims increased by 10,000 to 1.86 million.

“Producers are unlikely to fire staff while there is a strong chance the jump in prices is temporary,” said chief U.S. economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, Samuel Tombs. “But elevated uncertainty, the recent tightening of financial conditions and high borrowing costs for small businesses will continue to weigh on hiring.”

The 10-year Treasury note yield finished the week of 3/16 at 4.39% while the 30-year Treasury note yield finished the week at 4.94%.