Better deal from the Treasury
When it comes to investing, few buys have been as disappointing as U.S. savings bonds. Since the program was set up in 1935, some $258 billion has been poured into the bonds. But because of inflation, bonds redeemed in recent years have been paid off in dollars worth much less than those invested. Though a yield of 9% has been available on EE series issues since 1981, sales have been slow.
Last week the U.S. Treasury Department unveiled a new, potentially higher-yielding certificate designed to help lure savers back to bonds. The new bonds, offered in denominations of...