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US debt news, September 2026

8 items from official releases and data, newest first. Each links to its source.

  1. Budget

    Federal deficit reaches $1.97 trillion in the first 11 months of fiscal 2026

    The Monthly Treasury Statement for August 2026 shows a deficit of $1.97 trillion for fiscal year 2026 so far, compared with a deficit of $1.97 trillion in the same months a year earlier ($7.7 billion less). Receipts were $4.85 trillion and outlays $6.81 trillion. In August alone the government ran a deficit of $167 billion, against a deficit of $345 billion in August 2025.

    Deficit, fiscal 2026 to date
    $1.97 trillion
    Receipts
    $4.85 trillion
    Outlays
    $6.81 trillion
    Versus a year earlier
    −0.4%
    Source: US Treasury — Monthly Treasury Statement

  2. Federal Reserve

    Fed's Treasury holdings rose $27.5 billion in August 2026

    The Federal Reserve held $4.44 trillion of US Treasury securities in its last weekly report of August 2026 (August 26, 2026), up $27.5 billion from $4.41 trillion on July 29, 2026. Its holdings peaked at $5.68 trillion on April 20, 2022.

    Treasury securities held
    $4.44 trillion
    Change over the month
    +$27.5 billion
    Peak
    $5.68 trillion
    Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York — SOMA holdings

  3. Auctions

    30-year bond auction: 5.308% high yield, bid-to-cover 2.61

    The Treasury sold $22.0 billion of 30-year bond securities on September 10, 2026, reopening an existing issue with 29-year 11-month remaining. The high yield was 5.308%, 9 basis points higher than the 5.216% at the previous 30-year bond auction on August 13, 2026. Bids came to 2.61 times the amount sold (previous auction: 2.39). Indirect bidders, a group that includes foreign central banks, were awarded 79.5% of the competitive amount; primary dealers, who must bid, took 2.2%.

    High yield
    5.308%
    Bid-to-cover ratio
    2.61
    Amount sold
    $22.0 billion
    Indirect bidders
    79.5%
    Source: US Treasury — Auction results (TreasuryDirect)

  4. Debt

    US debt fell $46.9 billion in the week to September 10, 2026

    Total public debt outstanding was $40.05 trillion on September 10, 2026, down $46.9 billion from $40.09 trillion on September 4, 2026. Over the 30 days to September 10, 2026 it rose $106 billion, an average of $3.5 billion a day. Since fiscal year 2026 began on October 1, 2025, it has risen $2.41 trillion.

    Total public debt
    $40.05 trillion
    Change over the week
    −$46.9 billion
    Change over 30 days
    +$106 billion
    Source: US Treasury — Debt to the Penny

  5. Auctions

    10-year note auction: 4.834% high yield, bid-to-cover 2.71

    The Treasury sold $39.0 billion of 10-year note securities on September 9, 2026, reopening an existing issue with 9-year 11-month remaining. The high yield was 4.834%, 15 basis points higher than the 4.683% at the previous 10-year note auction on August 12, 2026. Bids came to 2.71 times the amount sold (previous auction: 2.53). Indirect bidders, a group that includes foreign central banks, were awarded 79.2% of the competitive amount; primary dealers, who must bid, took 4.3%.

    High yield
    4.834%
    Bid-to-cover ratio
    2.71
    Amount sold
    $39.0 billion
    Indirect bidders
    79.2%
    Source: US Treasury — Auction results (TreasuryDirect)

  6. BudgetCongressional Budget Office

    Monthly Budget Review: August 2026

    The Congressional Budget Office published “Monthly Budget Review: August 2026”. CBO's summary: “The federal budget deficit totaled $2.0 trillion in the first 11 months of fiscal year 2026, the CBO estimates. That amount is $6 billion less than the deficit recorded during the same period last fiscal year.” For reference: total public debt outstanding was $40.05 trillion on September 10, 2026.

    Source: Congressional Budget Office

  7. Auctions

    3-year note auction: 4.474% high yield, bid-to-cover 2.72

    The Treasury sold $58.0 billion of 3-year note securities on September 8, 2026. The high yield was 4.474%, 18 basis points higher than the 4.291% at the previous 3-year note auction on August 11, 2026. Bids came to 2.72 times the amount sold (previous auction: 2.71). Indirect bidders, a group that includes foreign central banks, were awarded 62.1% of the competitive amount; primary dealers, who must bid, took 10.9%.

    High yield
    4.474%
    Bid-to-cover ratio
    2.72
    Amount sold
    $58.0 billion
    Indirect bidders
    62.1%
    Source: US Treasury — Auction results (TreasuryDirect)

  8. Debt

    US debt fell $9.5 billion in the week to September 4, 2026

    Total public debt outstanding was $40.09 trillion on September 4, 2026, down $9.5 billion from $40.10 trillion on August 28, 2026. Over the 30 days to September 4, 2026 it rose $265 billion, an average of $8.8 billion a day. Since fiscal year 2026 began on October 1, 2025, it has risen $2.46 trillion.

    Total public debt
    $40.09 trillion
    Change over the week
    −$9.5 billion
    Change over 30 days
    +$265 billion
    Source: US Treasury — Debt to the Penny

Sources

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