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Abstract
Excerpt from the report: Before June 1953, interest rates had risen for several years. The rise occurred earliest and was most pronounced in rates on short-term securities with nationwide markets, but it had spread also to long-term securities and to obligations with more restricted markets, such as loans to farmers, homeowners, other individuals, and businesses. The increase of interest rates in the first half of 1953 was particularly sharp and it occasioned widespread comment. Since mid-1953, the situation has changed and some rates have dropped precipitously. Because of these fluctuations in rates it is well to review some of the principal factors that influence rates of interest and to consider the probable trend of the rates that farmers will pay in the near future.