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U.S. bonds appear more attractive in light of eurozone situation

Dec 08, 2011 Walt Wojoiechowski

Investors appear to be seeking haven in U.S treasuries, as returns are currently poised to reach the highest level in nine years, according to a report from Bloomberg. The faith in government bonds is likely in response to mounting fiscal uncertainty and debt crises in Europe, even as the lawmakers in the U.S. struggle to rein in a $15 trillion debt. Treasuries, corporate bonds, mortgage securities and other forms of credit are on pace to gain 7.32 percent on average, data from a Bank of America Merrill Lynch index shows. That figure would mark the highest yield since the 10.3 percent noted in 2002. "The returns show that investors are seeking safety in the world's largest economy, even after gridlock in Washington over mounting fiscal imbalances led Standard & Poor's to lower the nation's top credit grade," report John Detrixhe and Tim Catts for Bloomberg. Joshua Feinman, global chief economist for DB Advisors, told the source that investors are likely seeking to avert excessive risk from credit decisions in Europe, where fiscal crisis are threatening the global financial system. Accordingly, Detrixhe and Catts added, investors are looking past America's deficit to buy its debt at almost any price.