Korkokäyrällä

Korkokäyrällä, often translated as "yield curve" in English, is a graphical representation of the interest rates of bonds with equal credit quality but different maturity dates. The horizontal axis typically shows the time to maturity, and the vertical axis shows the corresponding yield. This curve provides a snapshot of the market's expectations for future interest rates and economic activity.

A normal yield curve slopes upward, indicating that longer-term bonds have higher yields than shorter-term bonds. This reflects the fact that investors typically demand higher compensation for lending their money for longer periods due to increased risk and the time value of money. An upward-sloping curve is often associated with an expanding economy.

An inverted yield curve slopes downward, meaning short-term bonds have higher yields than long-term bonds. This is an unusual situation and can be interpreted as a signal that investors expect interest rates to fall in the future, often due to an anticipated economic slowdown or recession.

A flat yield curve occurs when yields for all maturities are very similar. This can indicate a period of transition, where the market is uncertain about the future direction of interest rates and economic growth. Analyzing the shape and changes in the korkokäyrällä is a common practice among economists and investors for assessing economic conditions and making investment decisions.