US debt news, August 2026

August 31, 2026Debt

The average interest rate on the US debt rose to 3.490% in August 2026

Treasury paid an average of 3.490% across all interest-bearing debt at the end of August 2026, up 4 basis points from 3.447% a month earlier. Twelve months earlier it was 3.372%, a change of plus 12 basis points. Marketable debt, the part sold at auction, averaged 3.475%. The average moves as maturing securities are replaced at current rates, which is why it can rise in a month when the debt itself barely changes.

Average rate, all debt

3.490%

Change on the month

+4 basis points

Change on the year

+12 basis points

Marketable debt

3.475%

August 31, 2026BudgetCongressional Budget Office

Effects of Automatic Stabilizers on the Federal Budget: 2026 to 2036

The Congressional Budget Office published “Effects of Automatic Stabilizers on the Federal Budget: 2026 to 2036”. CBO's summary: “CBO provides estimates of the budgetary effects of automatic stabilizers—as well as the size of federal budget deficits without them—over the past 50 years and in CBO's current economic forecast from 2026 to 2036.” For reference: total public debt outstanding was $40.05 trillion on September 10, 2026.

August 28, 2026Debt

US debt rose $71.2 billion in the week to August 28, 2026

Total public debt outstanding was $40.10 trillion on August 28, 2026, up $71.2 billion from $40.03 trillion on August 21, 2026. Over the 30 days to August 28, 2026 it rose $304 billion, an average of $10.1 billion a day. Since fiscal year 2026 began on October 1, 2025, it has risen $2.47 trillion.

Total public debt

$40.10 trillion

Change over the week

+$71.2 billion

Change over 30 days

+$304 billion

August 27, 2026Auctions

7-year note auction: 4.512% high yield, bid-to-cover 2.50

The Treasury sold $49.7 billion of 7-year note securities on August 27, 2026. The high yield was 4.512%, 4 basis points higher than the 4.473% at the previous 7-year note auction on July 28, 2026. Bids came to 2.50 times the amount sold (previous auction: 2.49). Indirect bidders, a group that includes foreign central banks, were awarded 60.8% of the competitive amount; primary dealers, who must bid, took 12.3%.

High yield

4.512%

Bid-to-cover ratio

2.50

Amount sold

$49.7 billion

Indirect bidders

60.8%

August 26, 2026Auctions

5-year note auction: 4.393% high yield, bid-to-cover 2.37

The Treasury sold $79.0 billion of 5-year note securities on August 26, 2026. The high yield was 4.393%, 2 basis points lower than the 4.408% at the previous 5-year note auction on July 27, 2026. Bids came to 2.37 times the amount sold (previous auction: 2.28). Indirect bidders, a group that includes foreign central banks, were awarded 61.5% of the competitive amount; primary dealers, who must bid, took 10.0%.

High yield

4.393%

Bid-to-cover ratio

2.37

Amount sold

$79.0 billion

Indirect bidders

61.5%

August 25, 2026Auctions

2-year note auction: 4.204% high yield, bid-to-cover 2.60

The Treasury sold $77.9 billion of 2-year note securities on August 25, 2026. The high yield was 4.204%, 11 basis points lower than the 4.315% at the previous 2-year note auction on July 27, 2026. Bids came to 2.60 times the amount sold (previous auction: 2.66). Indirect bidders, a group that includes foreign central banks, were awarded 66.0% of the competitive amount; primary dealers, who must bid, took 10.9%.

High yield

4.204%

Bid-to-cover ratio

2.60

Amount sold

$77.9 billion

Indirect bidders

66.0%

August 21, 2026Debt

US debt rose $99.2 billion in the week to August 21, 2026

Total public debt outstanding was $40.03 trillion on August 21, 2026, up $99.2 billion from $39.93 trillion on August 14, 2026. Over the 30 days to August 21, 2026 it rose $397 billion, an average of $13.2 billion a day. Since fiscal year 2026 began on October 1, 2025, it has risen $2.40 trillion.

Total public debt

$40.03 trillion

Change over the week

+$99.2 billion

Change over 30 days

+$397 billion

August 20, 2026Auctions

30-year TIPS auction: 2.973% high real yield, bid-to-cover 2.82

The Treasury sold $9.0 billion of 30-year TIPS securities on August 20, 2026, reopening an existing issue with 29-year 6-month remaining. The high real yield was 2.973%, 50 basis points higher than the 2.473% at the previous 30-year TIPS auction on February 19, 2026. Bids came to 2.82 times the amount sold (previous auction: 2.75). Indirect bidders, a group that includes foreign central banks, were awarded 84.4% of the competitive amount; primary dealers, who must bid, took 2.1%.

High real yield

2.973%

Bid-to-cover ratio

2.82

Amount sold

$9.0 billion

Indirect bidders

84.4%

August 19, 2026Auctions

20-year bond auction: 5.204% high yield, bid-to-cover 2.53

The Treasury sold $18.1 billion of 20-year bond securities on August 19, 2026. The high yield was 5.204%, 4 basis points higher than the 5.163% at the previous 20-year bond auction on July 22, 2026. Bids came to 2.53 times the amount sold (previous auction: 2.64). Indirect bidders, a group that includes foreign central banks, were awarded 62.9% of the competitive amount; primary dealers, who must bid, took 12.5%.

High yield

5.204%

Bid-to-cover ratio

2.53

Amount sold

$18.1 billion

Indirect bidders

62.9%

August 19, 2026Federal ReserveFederal Reserve Board

Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee, July 28–29, 2026

The Federal Reserve published the minutes of a Federal Open Market Committee meeting, which record the discussion behind the rate decision in more detail than the statement. For reference: the federal funds target range was 3.75–4% and the effective rate 3.88% on October 6, 2026, the latest New York Fed figures when this item was published.

August 19, 2026DebtUS Department of the Treasury

Treasury Announces Increased Sizes of Nominal Long-End Liquidity Support Buybacks Beginning September 9

The Treasury published a release on federal borrowing or debt management. For reference: total public debt outstanding was $40.25 trillion on October 5, 2026, of which $32.43 trillion was held by the public.

August 14, 2026Debt

US debt rose $48.4 billion in the week to August 14, 2026

Total public debt outstanding was $39.93 trillion on August 14, 2026, up $48.4 billion from $39.89 trillion on August 7, 2026. Over the 30 days to August 14, 2026 it rose $445 billion, an average of $14.8 billion a day. Since fiscal year 2026 began on October 1, 2025, it has risen $2.30 trillion.

Total public debt

$39.93 trillion

Change over the week

+$48.4 billion

Change over 30 days

+$445 billion

August 13, 2026Auctions

30-year bond auction: 5.216% high yield, bid-to-cover 2.39

The Treasury sold $31.3 billion of 30-year bond securities on August 13, 2026. The high yield was 5.216%, 16 basis points higher than the 5.058% at the previous 30-year bond auction on July 9, 2026. Bids came to 2.39 times the amount sold (previous auction: 2.44). Indirect bidders, a group that includes foreign central banks, were awarded 66.8% of the competitive amount; primary dealers, who must bid, took 11.5%.

High yield

5.216%

Bid-to-cover ratio

2.39

Amount sold

$31.3 billion

Indirect bidders

66.8%

August 12, 2026Auctions

10-year note auction: 4.683% high yield, bid-to-cover 2.53

The Treasury sold $52.6 billion of 10-year note securities on August 12, 2026. The high yield was 4.683%, 10 basis points higher than the 4.580% at the previous 10-year note auction on July 8, 2026. Bids came to 2.53 times the amount sold (previous auction: 2.59). Indirect bidders, a group that includes foreign central banks, were awarded 76.7% of the competitive amount; primary dealers, who must bid, took 8.6%.

High yield

4.683%

Bid-to-cover ratio

2.53

Amount sold

$52.6 billion

Indirect bidders

76.7%

August 11, 2026Auctions

3-year note auction: 4.291% high yield, bid-to-cover 2.71

The Treasury sold $72.7 billion of 3-year note securities on August 11, 2026. The high yield was 4.291%, 11 basis points higher than the 4.179% at the previous 3-year note auction on July 7, 2026. Bids came to 2.71 times the amount sold (previous auction: 2.60). Indirect bidders, a group that includes foreign central banks, were awarded 64.2% of the competitive amount; primary dealers, who must bid, took 11.7%.

High yield

4.291%

Bid-to-cover ratio

2.71

Amount sold

$72.7 billion

Indirect bidders

64.2%

August 7, 2026Debt

US debt rose $114 billion in the week to August 7, 2026

Total public debt outstanding was $39.89 trillion on August 7, 2026, up $114 billion from $39.77 trillion on July 31, 2026. Over the 30 days to August 7, 2026 it rose $490 billion, an average of $16.3 billion a day. Since fiscal year 2026 began on October 1, 2025, it has risen $2.25 trillion.

Total public debt

$39.89 trillion

Change over the week

+$114 billion

Change over 30 days

+$490 billion

August 5, 2026DebtUS Department of the Treasury

Quarterly Refunding Statement of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Federal Finance Brian Smith

The Treasury published its quarterly refunding statement, which sets the sizes of upcoming note and bond auctions and explains its borrowing plans. For reference: total public debt outstanding was $40.25 trillion on October 5, 2026, of which $32.43 trillion was held by the public.

August 5, 2026DebtUS Department of the Treasury

Report to the Secretary of the Treasury from the Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee

The Treasury published material from the Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee, a group of bond market participants that advises it on debt management. For reference: total public debt outstanding was $40.25 trillion on October 5, 2026, of which $32.43 trillion was held by the public.

August 5, 2026DebtUS Department of the Treasury

Minutes of the Meeting of the Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee August 4, 2026

The Treasury published material from the Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee, a group of bond market participants that advises it on debt management. For reference: total public debt outstanding was $40.25 trillion on October 5, 2026, of which $32.43 trillion was held by the public.

August 3, 2026DebtUS Department of the Treasury

Treasury Announces Marketable Borrowing Estimates

The Treasury published its estimate of how much it expects to borrow in marketable debt this quarter and next. For reference: total public debt outstanding was $40.25 trillion on October 5, 2026, of which $32.43 trillion was held by the public.

August 3, 2026DebtUS Department of the Treasury

Economy Statement for the Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee

The Treasury published material from the Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee, a group of bond market participants that advises it on debt management. For reference: total public debt outstanding was $40.25 trillion on October 5, 2026, of which $32.43 trillion was held by the public.