Markets Explained

Overview: About Government/Agency Bonds

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Overview

  • One of the world’s largest and most liquid bond markets is comprised of debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury, by U.S. government agencies and by U.S government-sponsored enterprises. U.S. Treasury securities, used to finance the federal government debt, are also considered to have the bond market’s lowest risk because they are guaranteed by the U.S. government’s “full faith and credit” or, in other words, its taxing authority. Government agencies and government-sponsored enterprises such as Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac also issue debt to support their role in financing mortgages.

Use this section to learn more about:

  • The different types of U.S. government and agency securities
  • The advantages and risks of investing in Treasuries and government securities

Go to the Government/Federal Agency Market At A Glance page to get news affecting the government and federal agency bond markets as well as recent price and yield information on:

  • Treasury bills with maturities of less than one year
  • Treasury notes with maturities between one and ten years, and
  • Treasury bonds with maturities of 10 years or more
  • Federal agency bonds

Stay informed on government bond market news and opportunities by visiting this page often for new content and market information.