Government bond auction · United States
United States 42-Day Bill Auction
The United States 42-Day Bill Auction is a sale of new government debt by the United States's treasury or debt agency to investors.
- Importance
- Low
- Released
- Weekly
- Currency
- USD · US dollar
- Central bank
- The Federal Reserve
Latest figures
The latest release, published on 18 February 2025, came in at 4.270%, up from 4.260% the time before.
Over the last 6 releases it ranged from 4.245% to 4.270%, averaging 4.256%; it has been rising for three releases in a row.
| Released | For | Actual | Consensus | Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Feb 2025 | – | 4.270% | – | 4.260% |
| 11 Feb 2025 | – | 4.260% | – | 4.250% |
| 4 Feb 2025 | – | 4.250% | – | 4.260% |
| 28 Jan 2025 | – | 4.260% | – | 4.250% |
| 21 Jan 2025 | – | 4.250% | – | 4.210% |
| 7 Jan 2025 | – | 4.245% | – | 4.280% |
Why it matters
Auctions show the demand for a country's debt. A weak auction (low cover ratio, a yield above where the bond traded before the sale, the "tail") can push yields up across the market; a strong one calms them. In times of fiscal stress auctions get close attention.
How it is calculated
Bidders submit the yield (or price) at which they will buy; the debt office allocates from the lowest yield up until the amount is sold. The release reports the average or highest yield and the bid-to-cover ratio.
Bid-to-cover = amount bid ÷ amount soldWhat changes mean
- Bid-to-cover above its recent average and no tail: solid demand.
- Index-linked and green bonds are smaller auctions with their own investor base.
A short history
Most governments moved from fixed-price syndicates to regular auctions in the 1970s–1990s; the US Treasury has auctioned bills since 1929.
Questions
What is the United States 42-Day Bill Auction?
The United States 42-Day Bill Auction is a sale of new government debt by the United States's treasury or debt agency to investors.
What was the latest United States 42-Day Bill Auction?
4.270%, published on 18 February 2025.
Educational content only, not investment advice. Figures are the published results as recorded by our calendar; market reactions described are typical, not guaranteed.