First-Quarter Results Show Positive Effects of Low Interest Rates

摘要

The US stock market, as represented by the S&P 500 on an aggregate basis, has recently moved into record highs, surpassing its peaks attained in 2000 and in 2007 from the deep recession of 2009. Over the last 12 months, the S&P 500 market is up approximately 15 percent. Interest rates, both on US government securities and corporate bond yields, have also fallen over the past year, helping to provide low-cost financing to fuel growth initiatives.