Take a look at the interactive U$.$S$.$ Treasury Yield Curve Chart at US Treasury Yield Curve $.$

$1)$ Use the date change box $($upper left$)$ to examine the yield curve for the following key dates:

$$ March $17,2022$

$$ December $14,2022$

$$ March $22,2023$

$$ September $20,2023$

$$ January $17,2024$

$2)$ For each date, observe the following metrics:

$$ Fed Funds Rate target range

$5-$year yield minus $2-$year yield

$10-$year yield minus $2-$year yield

$30-$year yield minus $5-$year yield

$3)$ Interpret this data:

$$ What is the shape of the yield curve on those dates $($absolutely$,$ and in comparison to prior dates$)?$

$$ What is the yield curve telling you over this time span?

$$ What has been the policy stance of the Federal Reserve $($specifically the Federal Open Market Committee$)?$

$$ What is the apparent perception of $($bond$)$ market participants as seen in this data?