What is Real Interest Rate?

The real interest rate is the percentage of increase in the value of money, taking into account the effects of inflation. The nominal interest rate is the percentage of increase in the value of money, not accounting for the effects of inflation. When you’re looking at investments, it’s important to look at the real interest rate to get an accurate idea of how much you’re going to earn.

The real interest rate is the return on an investment after deducting the inflation rate. Investing in assets with higher real interest rates is often preferred by investors. For example, a five-product supermarket cart could cost $1,500 today, but cost $1,730 two years later. If the rate of inflation stays the same, a borrower will be happy to accept a high interest rate on a five-product cart.

The real interest rate is the cost of borrowing money, accounting for inflation and the changing value of the money lent. This is important because lenders don’t lend money for free and don’t want you to lose out on the interest they charge. Lenders charge interest and fees for their services. They quote interest rates as a percentage of the loan amount per year, but usually add the interest charges more than once a year.

To calculate the real interest rate, you can use the yield on a 10-year U.S. Treasury bond. In the past, the real interest rate was about three to four percent, and in the 2000s, the real rate was between one and two percent. Today, the real interest rate is -6 percent, well below the previous bottom of -2 percent. However, despite its low value, the real interest rate remains a focus of the financial press.

In conclusion, the real interest rate is the rate of return that investors receive after accounting for inflation. This rate is determined by the market and can change day to day. It is important for investors to stay up-to-date on the latest real interest rates to make informed investment decisions.