If this chart has a red background, interest rates are low compared to their long-term average. If they regress to the mean, securities like fixed annuities, preferred stock, and longer-term bonds will fall in value going forward, making them a questionable purchase for the present. Mortgages and reverse mortgages, however, would prove to be a better deal, because they are discounted back to present value at today's lower rates, giving you more cash now. If the chart has a green background, the opposite is the case: fixed annuities, preferred stock and longer bonds would rise in value if rates regressed toward the mean, while mortgages would be more expensive and reverse mortgages would offer a lesser payout today.

See Yes, You Can Time the Market and Yes, You Can Be a Successful Income Investor for more guidance in interpreting these graphs.

Graphs are updated quarterly, around the end of the first week of each quarter.

These graphs do not constitute specific investment advice. The data provided are from sources believed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed.