c instructions plural: an outline or manual of technical procedure : directions d: a code that tells a computer to perform a particular operation 2: the action, practice, or profession of teaching
The yield curve describes the yields for Treasury bills, notes and bonds. It's called a curve because, if it were plotted on a graph, the yields would normally slope up. That's because Treasury bills, which are of short duration, don't usually pay as high a yield as the notes and even longer-term bonds. Why?
History of U.S. Treasury Bills. Treasury bills are short-term securities with original-issue maturities of 4, 13, 26, or 52 weeks; and cash management bills, whose maturities vary. The first bill issued on a regular basis was the 13-week bill, beginning in December 1929. By 1972, there were regular issues of 13, 26, and 52- week bills. Cash management bills are issued to bridge seasonal low-points in the Treasury cash balance.