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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
US debt is 'sound', no concerns about US dollar's reserve role, Taiwan's central bank says
TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan's central bank said on Sunday that U.S. government debt is "sound" and still favoured by investors, and there are no worries about the U.S. dollar's position as the leading international reserve currency. U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff announcement on April 2, which led to a market rout, including in U.S. Treasuries, has cast doubt over the dollar's safe-haven status. Trump's has made complaints about a strong dollar which have also triggered speculation that Washington wants an adjustment lower in the U.S. currency. Taiwan's $582.8 billion in foreign exchange reserves are more than 80% made up of U.S. Treasury bonds, according to the island's central bank. The central bank, responding to what it said were market concerns about U.S. bonds and the U.S. dollar, said on its website there was no cause for alarm. "There are still no concerns about the U.S. dollar's position as the leading international reserve currency," it said. "U.S. public debt is stable and has good liquidity, and its function as a store of value is still favoured by investors." The central bank also called on the media and market commentators not to speculate about the foreign exchange rate, given the Taiwan dollar's surge since last month against the U.S. currency on speculation Washington had asked Taipei to let it strengthen as part of tariff talks. The central bank has repeatedly denied that the United States has made that request. In its Sunday statement, the central bank said its inspection teams had found that some foreign investors, whom it did not name, had transferred large sums into Taiwan dollar deposit accounts ostensibly to invest in Taiwan stocks. But no such investments took place, it said, adding foreign investors must use remitted funds to invest in domestic securities if that is what they have declared the money for "and not use the funds to speculate on the Taiwan dollar's exchange rate".
CNA
2 days ago
- Business
- CNA
US debt is 'sound', no concerns about US dollar's reserve role, Taiwan's central bank says
TAIPEI :Taiwan's central bank said on Sunday that U.S. government debt is "sound" and still favoured by investors, and there are no worries about the U.S. dollar's position as the leading international reserve currency. U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff announcement on April 2, which led to a market rout, including in U.S. Treasuries, has cast doubt over the dollar's safe-haven status. Trump's has made complaints about a strong dollar which have also triggered speculation that Washington wants an adjustment lower in the U.S. currency. Taiwan's $582.8 billion in foreign exchange reserves are more than 80 per cent made up of U.S. Treasury bonds, according to the island's central bank. The central bank, responding to what it said were market concerns about U.S. bonds and the U.S. dollar, said on its website there was no cause for alarm. "There are still no concerns about the U.S. dollar's position as the leading international reserve currency," it said. "U.S. public debt is stable and has good liquidity, and its function as a store of value is still favoured by investors." The central bank also called on the media and market commentators not to speculate about the foreign exchange rate, given the Taiwan dollar's surge since last month against the U.S. currency on speculation Washington had asked Taipei to let it strengthen as part of tariff talks. The central bank has repeatedly denied that the United States has made that request. In its Sunday statement, the central bank said its inspection teams had found that some foreign investors, whom it did not name, had transferred large sums into Taiwan dollar deposit accounts ostensibly to invest in Taiwan stocks. But no such investments took place, it said, adding foreign investors must use remitted funds to invest in domestic securities if that is what they have declared the money for "and not use the funds to speculate on the Taiwan dollar's exchange rate".
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
US debt is 'sound', no concerns about US dollar's reserve role, Taiwan's central bank says
TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan's central bank said on Sunday that U.S. government debt is "sound" and still favoured by investors, and there are no worries about the U.S. dollar's position as the leading international reserve currency. U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff announcement on April 2, which led to a market rout, including in U.S. Treasuries, has cast doubt over the dollar's safe-haven status. Trump's has made complaints about a strong dollar which have also triggered speculation that Washington wants an adjustment lower in the U.S. currency. Taiwan's $582.8 billion in foreign exchange reserves are more than 80% made up of U.S. Treasury bonds, according to the island's central bank. The central bank, responding to what it said were market concerns about U.S. bonds and the U.S. dollar, said on its website there was no cause for alarm. "There are still no concerns about the U.S. dollar's position as the leading international reserve currency," it said. "U.S. public debt is stable and has good liquidity, and its function as a store of value is still favoured by investors." The central bank also called on the media and market commentators not to speculate about the foreign exchange rate, given the Taiwan dollar's surge since last month against the U.S. currency on speculation Washington had asked Taipei to let it strengthen as part of tariff talks. The central bank has repeatedly denied that the United States has made that request. In its Sunday statement, the central bank said its inspection teams had found that some foreign investors, whom it did not name, had transferred large sums into Taiwan dollar deposit accounts ostensibly to invest in Taiwan stocks. But no such investments took place, it said, adding foreign investors must use remitted funds to invest in domestic securities if that is what they have declared the money for "and not use the funds to speculate on the Taiwan dollar's exchange rate". Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Gold Is Sending Markets a Big Warning Signal
It has been a far different story for industrial metals such as copper, aluminum, and zinc. 'The highest-ever gold price vs. the Bloomberg Industrial Metals Spot Subindex at the end of May, based on our database going back to 1991, isn't a good sign for the global economy,' he wrote. U.S. stock prices remain high, and yields on Treasury bonds have been rising recently, not falling, as one would expect if nervous investors were dumping risky assets and buying the debt in a flight to safety. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The bond market: a once-in-a-decade opportunity to lock in passive income?
Bonds have long been a cornerstone for investors seeking steady, predictable passive income. But with yields at multi-year highs, the bond market is now offering a rare chance to lock in attractive returns with relatively low risk. This combination is drawing new attention from UK investors. A bond is essentially a loan an investor makes to a government or corporation. In exchange for the money, the issuer promises to pay the bond holder regular interest (known as the coupon) and to return the original investment (the principal) when the bond matures. Bonds are considered fixed-income investments because they typically pay a set interest rate over their life, making them a popular choice for those seeking reliable income streams. The appeal of bonds for passive income is straightforward, especially now. For example, UK government bonds (gilts) are currently offering yields not seen in over a decade. The 10-year gilt yield stands at around 4.65%, while the 30-year yield is just over 5.4%. This means that if someone were to invest £10,000 in a 10-year gilt, they could expect to receive £470 per year in interest — more than double what they would have earned five years ago. The only significant risk is if the UK government were to default on its obligations. However, this is widely considered extremely unlikely, making gilts far less risky than most stocks. Across the Atlantic, US Treasury bonds are also offering attractive yields. The 10-year US Treasury yield is currently about 4.46%, and the 30-year yield is just under 5%. These rates are historically high for such safe assets. This higher-than-usual yield reflects near-term economic uncertainty and Trump's plans for potentially unfunded tax cuts. But it also offers investors a rare window to lock in high passive income for years to come. For those willing to look further afield, some overseas bonds offer even higher yields, especially in emerging markets or countries facing economic challenges. While these can provide eye-catching income, they also come with increased risk, including currency fluctuations and the potential for default. For example, the South African 10-year bond yields over 10%. Bond investing might not be for everyone. And thankfully lots of stocks offer exposure to the bond market. One of the best known is Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.B) which offers partial bond market exposure due to its massive holdings in US Treasury bills, which provide steady interest income and stability. Berkshire now holds over $300bn in US Treasurys — accounting for nearly 5% of the entire market for short-term government debt. While Berkshire is a conglomerate, its defensive cash position, debt holdings, and diversified business operations help buffer against market volatility, offering shareholders indirect benefits from bond market returns. However, this Warren Buffett company is not a direct substitute for bond funds, as most of its value comes from operating businesses and a concentrated equity portfolio, not fixed-income assets. And while the company has performed well in recent years, there's going to be some uncertainty for this US-focused business going forward. It's a stock I own and recently bought more of, but I appreciate that Trump's policy may cause some volatility. Also, it doesn't pay a dividend, so there's no yield — just growth, hopefully. The post The bond market: a once-in-a-decade opportunity to lock in passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. More reading 5 Stocks For Trying To Build Wealth After 50 One Top Growth Stock from the Motley Fool James Fox has positions in Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Motley Fool UK 2025
