The Federal Reserve's balance sheet has undergone significant changes since 2007, reflecting its response to major economic crises. From a modest *** trillion U.S. dollars at the end of 2007, it ballooned to approximately **** trillion U.S. dollars by June 2025. This dramatic expansion, particularly during the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic - both of which resulted in negative annual GDP growth in the U.S. - showcases the Fed's crucial role in stabilizing the economy through expansionary monetary policies. Impact on inflation and interest rates The Fed's expansionary measures, while aimed at stimulating economic growth, have had notable effects on inflation and interest rates. Following the quantitative easing in 2020, inflation in the United States reached ***** percent in 2022, the highest since 1991. However, by *************, inflation had declined to *** percent. Concurrently, the Federal Reserve implemented a series of interest rate hikes, with the rate peaking at **** percent in ***********, before the first rate cut since ************** occurred in **************. Financial implications for the Federal Reserve The expansion of the Fed's balance sheet and subsequent interest rate hikes have had significant financial implications. In 2023, the Fed reported a negative net income of ***** billion U.S. dollars, a stark contrast to the ***** billion U.S. dollars profit in 2022. This unprecedented shift was primarily due to rapidly rising interest rates, which caused the Fed's interest expenses to soar to over *** billion U.S. dollars in 2023. Despite this, the Fed's net interest income on securities acquired through open market operations reached a record high of ****** billion U.S. dollars in the same year.

The U.S. federal funds effective rate underwent a dramatic reduction in early 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate plummeted from 1.58 percent in February 2020 to 0.65 percent in March, and further decreased to 0.05 percent in April. This sharp reduction, accompanied by the Federal Reserve's quantitative easing program, was implemented to stabilize the economy during the global health crisis. After maintaining historically low rates for nearly two years, the Federal Reserve began a series of rate hikes in early 2022, with the rate moving from 0.33 percent in April 2022 to 5.33 percent in August 2023. The rate remained unchanged for over a year, before the Federal Reserve initiated its first rate cut in nearly three years in September 2024, bringing the rate to 5.13 percent. By December 2024, the rate was cut to 4.48 percent, signaling a shift in monetary policy in the second half of 2024. In January 2025, the Federal Reserve implemented another cut, setting the rate at 4.33 percent, which remained unchanged throughout the following months. What is the federal funds effective rate? The U.S. federal funds effective rate determines the interest rate paid by depository institutions, such as banks and credit unions, that lend reserve balances to other depository institutions overnight. Changing the effective rate in times of crisis is a common way to stimulate the economy, as it has a significant impact on the whole economy, such as economic growth, employment, and inflation. Central bank policy rates The adjustment of interest rates in response to the COVID-19 pandemic was a coordinated global effort. In early 2020, central banks worldwide implemented aggressive monetary easing policies to combat the economic crisis. The U.S. Federal Reserve's dramatic reduction of its federal funds rate - from 1.58 percent in February 2020 to 0.05 percent by April - mirrored similar actions taken by central banks globally. While these low rates remained in place throughout 2021, mounting inflationary pressures led to a synchronized tightening cycle beginning in 2022, with central banks pushing rates to multi-year highs. By mid-2024, as inflation moderated across major economies, central banks began implementing their first rate cuts in several years, with the U.S. Federal Reserve, Bank of England, and European Central Bank all easing monetary policy.

Central Bank Balance Sheet in the United States decreased to 6642578 USD Million in July 30 from 6657715 USD Million in the previous week. This dataset provides - United States Central Bank Balance Sheet - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In June 2025, the yield on a 10-year U.S. Treasury note was **** percent, forecasted to decrease to reach **** percent by February 2026. Treasury securities are debt instruments used by the government to finance the national debt. Who owns treasury notes? Because the U.S. treasury notes are generally assumed to be a risk-free investment, they are often used by large financial institutions as collateral. Because of this, billions of dollars in treasury securities are traded daily. Other countries also hold U.S. treasury securities, as do U.S. households. Investors and institutions accept the relatively low interest rate because the U.S. Treasury guarantees the investment. Looking into the future Because these notes are so commonly traded, their interest rate also serves as a signal about the market’s expectations of future growth. When markets expect the economy to grow, forecasts for treasury notes will reflect that in a higher interest rate. In fact, one harbinger of recession is an inverted yield curve, when the return on 3-month treasury bills is higher than the ten-year rate. While this does not always lead to a recession, it certainly signals pessimism from financial markets.

The United States M2 money supply reached approximately ***** trillion U.S. dollars by May 2025, marking a gradual upward trend after a period of decline. This followed an extraordinary surge in 2020 and 2021, primarily driven by the Federal Reserve's aggressive quantitative easing measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Graph and download economic data for Assets: Securities Held Outright: U.S. Treasury Securities: All: Wednesday Level (TREAST) from 2002-12-18 to 2025-07-23 about maturity, securities, Treasury, and USA.

As of July 22, 2025, the yield for a ten-year U.S. government bond was 4.38 percent, while the yield for a two-year bond was 3.88 percent. This represents an inverted yield curve, whereby bonds of longer maturities provide a lower yield, reflecting investors' expectations for a decline in long-term interest rates. Hence, making long-term debt holders open to more risk under the uncertainty around the condition of financial markets in the future. That markets are uncertain can be seen by considering both the short-term fluctuations, and the long-term downward trend, of the yields of U.S. government bonds from 2006 to 2021, before the treasury yield curve increased again significantly in the following years. What are government bonds? Government bonds, otherwise called ‘sovereign’ or ‘treasury’ bonds, are financial instruments used by governments to raise money for government spending. Investors give the government a certain amount of money (the ‘face value’), to be repaid at a specified time in the future (the ‘maturity date’). In addition, the government makes regular periodic interest payments (called ‘coupon payments’). Once initially issued, government bonds are tradable on financial markets, meaning their value can fluctuate over time (even though the underlying face value and coupon payments remain the same). Investors are attracted to government bonds as, provided the country in question has a stable economy and political system, they are a very safe investment. Accordingly, in periods of economic turmoil, investors may be willing to accept a negative overall return in order to have a safe haven for their money. For example, once the market value is compared to the total received from remaining interest payments and the face value, investors have been willing to accept a negative return on two-year German government bonds between 2014 and 2021. Conversely, if the underlying economy and political structures are weak, investors demand a higher return to compensate for the higher risk they take on. Consequently, the return on bonds in emerging markets like Brazil are consistently higher than that of the United States (and other developed economies). Inverted yield curves When investors are worried about the financial future, it can lead to what is called an ‘inverted yield curve’. An inverted yield curve is where investors pay more for short term bonds than long term, indicating they do not have confidence in long-term financial conditions. Historically, the yield curve has historically inverted before each of the last five U.S. recessions. The last U.S. yield curve inversion occurred at several brief points in 2019 – a trend which continued until the Federal Reserve cut interest rates several times over that year. However, the ultimate trigger for the next recession was the unpredicted, exogenous shock of the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, showing how such informal indicators may be grounded just as much in coincidence as causation.

The Fund Management Activities industry is undergoing a period of transformation, characterised by technological disruptions and shifting investor preferences. Firms that have embraced this innovation and demonstrated their ability to adapt have been well-positioned to navigate these challenges. That being said, companies have still been plagued by numerous economic headwinds, resulting in particularly volatile revenue in recent years. Revenue is expected to fall at a compound annual rate of 1.1% over the five years through 2025 to €175.7 billion, including a forecast rise of 3.7% in 2025. Economic uncertainty has been rife in recent years, with investors remaining cautious amid muted economic growth, sticky inflation and higher interest rates. Notably, 2022 was a tough year for capital markets, with the rising base rate environment triggering mass sell-offs in fixed-income markets and clobbering bond values. Stock markets didn’t fare much better, with the MSCI World Index ending the year down by 13.1%. Optimism was hard to come by going into 2023, but capital markets defied expectations, partially due to a solid performance from large cap tech stocks and investors pricing in rate cuts at the tail-end of the year, supporting capital inflows. This momentum is set to continue over the two years through 2025 despite inflation proving sticky, with investors remaining excited around AI and pricing in further rate cuts from central banks. A notable shift over recent years has been the transition to passive investing, reflected in the growing demand for ETFs. In response, many core portfolios are shifting to passives, with active managers increasingly pushing toward niche segments like ESG. Revenue is slated to swell at a compound annual rate of 6.3% over the five years through 2030 to €238.9 billion. Investment activity is set to remain healthy as investors expect further rate cuts and the excitement around AI persists. However, uncertainty lingers, with markets unsure about the impact of the US’s protectionist trade policies. Technological advancements will continue to gather pace in the coming years, with developments like robo-advisers becoming increasingly accurate and supporting investment returns. The excitement around ESG is expected to cool, with superpowers like the US showing resistance and some states actively discouraging ESG integration. This mindset will likely trickle across Europe, forcing fund managers to adapt their offerings and use phrases like ‘sustainable investing’ instead.

The central bank policy rate in Japan stood at *** percent in June 2025. In March 2024, the Bank of Japan raised short-term interest rates for the first time in 17 years, ending its negative interest rate policy. From August 2024 onwards, the central bank encouraged the uncollaterized overnight call rate to remain at **** percent. A third rate hike to *** percent was implemented in January 2025. In 2016, the Bank of Japan had introduced a policy of quantitative and qualitative monetary easing (QQE) with yield curve control, one component of which included controlling short-term and long-term interest rates through market operations.

Bond Fund Sales Market Outlook

The bond fund sales market size was valued at approximately USD 10 trillion in 2023 and is projected to reach around USD 15 trillion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5%. This growth is primarily driven by increasing investor demand for stable and diversified income streams amidst global economic uncertainties. The market size expansion is fostered by factors such as an aging global population seeking more conservative investment options, heightened volatility in equity markets, and favorable regulatory changes supporting bond fund investments.

One of the primary growth factors for the bond fund sales market is the demographic shift towards an aging population, particularly in developed regions such as North America and Europe. As more individuals approach retirement age, there is a heightened need for investment products that offer steady income with reduced risk exposure. Bond funds, known for their relatively stable returns and lower volatility compared to equity funds, serve as an attractive option for this demographic. Additionally, the increasing life expectancy rates globally are pushing retirees to seek long-term investment solutions that can provide consistent income streams over extended periods.

Another significant growth driver is the evolving regulatory landscape that favors bond investments. Governments and financial regulatory bodies in various regions are implementing rules and guidelines that promote transparency and investor protection in the bond markets. These regulatory changes increase investor confidence and make bond funds more appealing to both retail and institutional investors. Furthermore, the introduction of green bonds and other socially responsible investment (SRI) products within the bond fund market is drawing interest from a growing segment of environmentally and socially conscious investors.

Technological advancements and the proliferation of digital investment platforms are also contributing to the growth of the bond fund sales market. Online platforms and robo-advisors are making it easier for retail investors to access and manage bond fund investments with lower fees and greater convenience. These platforms provide investors with tools and resources to make informed investment decisions, thereby increasing the participation rate of individual investors in the bond market. This digital transformation is democratizing access to bond funds and expanding the market's reach across various investor segments.

Regionally, the bond fund sales market exhibits diverse growth patterns. North America and Europe are expected to maintain their dominance due to their mature financial markets and high levels of investor awareness and engagement. However, the Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR during the forecast period, driven by rapid economic growth, rising disposable incomes, and increasing investor sophistication. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa regions are also witnessing growing interest in bond funds, albeit at a slower pace, as these markets gradually develop and integrate into the global financial system.

Fund Type Analysis

Government bond funds are a cornerstone of the bond fund market, offering investors a relatively low-risk investment option backed by government securities. These funds have been traditionally appealing to risk-averse investors, including retirees and conservative institutional investors. The demand for government bond funds is amplified during periods of economic uncertainty, as they are perceived as safe havens. The increasing issuance of government bonds to finance fiscal stimulus and infrastructure projects globally is also contributing to the growth of this segment. Moreover, central banks' policies, such as quantitative easing, have increased the liquidity and attractiveness of these bonds.

Corporate bond funds represent a significant portion of the bond fund market, providing higher yields compared to government bonds, albeit with increased risk. These funds invest in bonds issued by corporations to finance their operations and expansions. The corporate bond market is highly dynamic, with companies frequently entering and exiting the market based on their financing needs and credit ratings. The growth of this segment is supported by strong corporate earnings and favorable economic conditions that enhance companies' ability to service their debt. Additionally, the trend towards globalization and cross-border investments is expanding the market for corporate bond funds.

Fund management activities revenue is forecast to rise at a compound annual rate of 0.7% over the five years through 2024-25 to £28.2 billion, including estimated growth of 7.8% in 2024-25. Fund managers have had to navigate turbulent markets in recent years, hit by aggressive monetary policy, geopolitical tensions and muted economic growth. Such uncertainty made investors antsy, triggering volatile capital flows and creating unstable fee income. Economic uncertainty surrounding markets amid the threat of a recession, the cost-of-living squeeze and the gilt crisis in 2022-23 all shook key investor segments, causing the first net outflow in funding in 2022 since data was first recorded. Despite conditions remaining bleak in 2023-24, financial markets made a slow recovery, with both bond and stock markets benefitting from the expectation of interest rate cuts, triggering a rally at the tail-end of the year. However, amid fierce price competition and falling fees, this wasn’t enough to offset the drop in revenue during 2023-24. Capital markets are set to perform well in 2024-25 thanks to further interest rate cuts and optimistic growth prospects supporting investment activity, driving up profit. However, fund managers exposed to US markets have seen hefty declines at the start of 2025, hit by Trump’s erratic tariff policies, which incited fears of a recession. Revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 4.4% over the five years through 2029-30 to £35 billion. Capital markets will continue to grow in 2025-26, propped up by the prospect of further rate cuts. However, equity remains vulnerable because soaring stock valuations seen in recent years can lead to a severe price correction if any negative news hits markets, hurting revenue growth. Already proving a useful tool for fund managers, AI will continue to gain momentum in the coming years, especially among smaller managers looking to improve data analytics capabilities and client offerings. Fund managers will also have to navigate the changing perceptions of ESG investments, which, although hitting the headlines over recent years, are beginning to lose the interest of investors due to their lower returns. While growth in the domestic economy may be slow in the coming years, investment companies will take advantage of growing opportunities in expanding markets, despite facing fiercer competition from foreign funds.

The United States M1 money supply reached approximately **** trillion dollars by May 2025, showing a slight uptick from the previous year. This modest increase follows a period of contraction in late 2022 and early 2023, which stood in stark contrast to the dramatic expansion seen from May 2020 onward. The earlier surge was largely attributed to the Federal Reserve's aggressive quantitative easing measures implemented in response to the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Graph and download economic data for Bank of Japan: Total Assets for Japan (JPNASSETS) from Apr 1998 to Jun 2025 about Japan, assets, banks, and depository institutions.

The Eurozone's money supply has experienced significant growth over the past two decades, with the M2 measure reaching approximately 15.6 trillion euros by the end of 2024. This substantial increase from 4.6 trillion euros in 2001 reflects the expanding monetary base in the euro area. However, 2023 marked a notable deviation from this trend, as it was the first year in the observed period where the money supply in the euro area decreased. Components of money supply M2 is a broader measure of money supply that includes cash, checking deposits, and convertible near money. It encompasses the more narrow M1 measure, which consists of the most liquid components, such as currency in circulation and overnight deposits. As of December 2024, the Eurozone's M1 money supply stood at 10.57 trillion euros, while M2 reached 15.6 trillion euros. These figures are used by central banks to forecast inflation and interest rates, playing a crucial role in shaping monetary policy. Comparison with other regions While the Eurozone has seen steady growth in its money supply, other major economies have experienced their own unique trajectories. In the United States, for instance, the M2 money supply reached 20.86 trillion U.S. dollars in 2023, showing a slight decrease from the previous year. Both the Eurozone and the U.S. saw exceptional increases in their money supply during 2020, largely due to quantitative easing measures implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This global economic event had a profound impact on monetary policies across different regions, influencing the money supply dynamics worldwide.

In 2024, Japan had an average inflation rate estimated at 2.74 percent, marking the highest rate of inflation in Japan in almost a decade. However, this figure was still very low compared to most other major economies, such as Japan's fellow G7 members, four of which had inflation rates around six or seven percent in 2023 due to the global inflation crisis. Why is Japan's inflation rate lower? There are a number of contributing factors to Japan's relatively low inflation rate, even during economic crises. Japan eased its Covid restrictions more slowly than most other major economies, this prevented post-pandemic consumer spending that may have driven inflation through supply chain issues caused by higher demand. As the majority of Japan's food and energy comes from overseas, and has done so for decades, the government has mechanisms in place to prevent energy and wheat prices from rising too quickly. Because of this, Japan was able to shield its private sector from many of the negative knock on effects from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which had a significant impact on both sectors globally. Persistent deflation and national debt An additional factor that has eased the impact of inflation on Japan's economy is the fact that it experienced deflation before the pandemic. Deflation has been a persistent problem in Japan since the asset price bubble burst in 1992, and has been symptomatic of Japan's staggering national debt thereafter. For almost 30 years, a combination of quantitative easing, low interest rates (below 0.5 percent since 1995, and at -0.1% since 2016), and a lack of spending due to low wages and an aging population have combined to give Japan the highest national debt in the world in absolute terms, and second-highest debt in relation to its GDP, after Venezuela. Despite this soaring debt, Japan remains the fourth-largest economy in the world, behind the U.S., China, and Germany.