What’s keeping long term rates down, and why

What’s keeping long term rates down, and why: "What’s keeping long term rates down, and why
WASHINGTON – Nov. 28, 2006 – In February 2005, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan called it a “conundrum” – wondering why long-term bonds resisted the Fed’s efforts to push interest rates up.

If anything, the mystery has deepened. Back then, it seemed that long-term rates might just be slow to rise. Now it looks like they could stay low for ... well, for who knows how long?

Forever?

That would be good news for anyone who expects to need a new mortgage someday. And it would be good for stock-market investors, as low rates on fixed-income holdings make stocks comparatively more attractive, shoring up share prices."