This week: Bond yields hit levels not seen since before the 2008 financial crisis, with the 30-year Treasury reaching 5.2% and the 10-year at 4.68%, and we explain what that means for borrowing, saving, and the broader economy. President Trump called off a planned military strike on Iran on Monday, citing serious negotiations, and oil prices moved within minutes. Business schools are cutting MBA tuition by as much as 50% as AI reshapes what the job market rewards. And we take a snapshot of what it actually costs to borrow money right now, from mortgages to car loans to credit cards.
Bond Yields at 2007 Levels, a Cancelled Iran Strike, AI and the Changing Job Market, and What Borrowing Costs Right Now
Sources referenced in this episode:
- CME FedWatch (via CNBC) — https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/15/traders-now-see-next-fed-interest-rate-move-as-a-hike-following-inflation-surge.html
- CNBC (Treasury yields) — https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/19/treasurys-yields-inflation-traders-fed-interest-rates.html
- CNBC (Fed hike odds) — https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/19/fed-to-hike-when-traders-see-a-rate-increase-coming.html
- CNBC (borrowing costs) — https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/29/fed-interest-rates-april.html
- Edmunds (via CNBC) — see CNBC borrowing costs link above
- Federal Reserve (credit card rates) — https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/TERMCBCCALLNS
- Freddie Mac — https://www.freddiemac.com/pmms
- NPR — https://www.npr.org/2026/05/19/g-s1-122762/trump-says-hes-called-off-iran-strike
- U.S. Department of Education — https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/interest-rates
- WSJ — https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/there-is-a-fire-sale-on-m-b-a-s
New episodes weekly.