Who Holds the U.S. National Debt? Japan, the Fed, and the 2026 Map
Who holds the $39 trillion U.S. national debt in 2026? Foreign investors own $9.35T led by Japan, the Fed holds about $4.4T, and federal trust funds hold $7.64T.
Laura Adams
Laura Adams is a personal finance expert, spokesperson, and national media source who helps consumers improve their finances by making money easy to understand.
She’s the host of the top-rated MoneyGirl Podcast and award-winning author of multiple books, including Money Girl’s Smart Moves to Grow Rich. Connect with Laura at LauraDAdams.com and on Twitter @LauraAdams.
May Payrolls Add 172,000, Cementing a June Fed Hold and 6.75% Prime
U.S. employers added 172,000 jobs in May 2026 and unemployment held at 4.3 percent, reinforcing a June Federal Reserve hold and keeping the prime rate at 6.75 percent.
10-Year Treasury Yield Climbs Toward 4.5% as Oil Shock Revives Fed Hike Bets
The 10-year Treasury yield climbed toward 4.5% as an oil spike pushed markets to price an 85% chance of a 2026 Fed rate hike, even as the prime rate held at 6.75%.
Fed’s Bowman Defends Rate-Cut Path, Urges Looking Past Oil-Driven Inflation
Fed Vice Chair Michelle Bowman defended keeping rate cuts on the table in a May 29 speech, urging the Committee to look past oil-driven inflation before the June 16-17 FOMC.
April PCE Inflation Climbs to 3.8% as Core Stays at 3.3%, Pointing to June Hold
April PCE inflation rose to 3.8% year over year as core held at 3.3%, cementing a June Fed hold and keeping the prime rate at 6.75%. Here is what it means for your money.
Will the Fed Cut Rates in June 2026? Reading the April Statement for Clues
Markets currently price approximately a 36% probability of a 25 basis point Federal Reserve rate cut at the June 16–17, 2026 FOMC meeting, according to CME FedWatch — which means the base case is that rates stay unchanged at 3.50%–3.75%…
What Is the Fed Beige Book? The Anecdotal Report That Shapes FOMC Decisions
The Federal Reserve’s Beige Book is a qualitative report on regional economic conditions across the United States, compiled from interviews with business contacts in each of the 12 Federal Reserve Districts and published eight times per year — roughly two…
APY vs APR: How Banks Quote Interest Differently on What You Earn vs What You Owe
APY and APR measure interest, but they are not the same number and they are not used for the same products. APY — Annual Percentage Yield — is what you earn on money you deposit into an interest-bearing account like…
Basis Points Explained: What a 25 bps Fed Move Actually Costs You
A basis point — abbreviated “bp” or “bps” and pronounced “bip” or “beep” — is one-hundredth of a percentage point. One basis point equals 0.01%, and 100 basis points equal exactly 1%. The unit exists because the financial industry talks…
Yield Curve Inversion Explained: Why the 2-Year vs 10-Year Spread Matters for Your Wallet
A yield curve inversion happens when short-term U.S. Treasury bonds pay higher interest than long-term Treasury bonds — the opposite of normal. The most-watched version is the spread between the 10-year Treasury yield and the 2-year Treasury yield. When that…