The real rates of interest are the same in both countries at 3 per cent.

Real rates then represent the true cost of a loan.

Most workers would then expect a zero or even negative real rate of return.

Real rates right now, on the long end of the yield curve, are near 4 percent.

Compared with a real rate of 3.5 percent or so to be expected on these bonds, stocks would seem to have it going away.

Then real rates, which seem benign in this strong economy, could suddenly begin to bite.

There are no basic economic statistics here, so nobody knows the real rate of unemployment.

"Now, with real rates where they are, there is some buying.

The real rate of return is the yield, minus inflation.

High real rates also help to explain why the construction boom of the 1980's collapsed.

In this example, the real rate is around zero.

How much should real rates come down to help the economy overcome its sluggishness?

This stimulus from lower real rates can be seen in the robust housing market, he says.

Given the robust growth now, he said, "this level of real rates is not a restrictive influence."

Perhaps it indicates a strong demand for capital in this country, which pushes real rates higher.

We'll pay real rates for a wireless pipe that doesn't include the cost of device subsidies.

The lower real rate of interest would induce more borrowing to finance investment.

If inflation is about 3 percent a year, the real rate is zero.

Another factor is that many companies want to invest in new technology, causing them to ignore the higher real rates.

In a recession, the Fed usually pushes the real rate below zero.

Lower inflation means higher real rates of return on fixed-income securities.

According to the increases in money supply during the 1990s, the real rate of inflation must be higher than is currently stated.

High real rates are usually seen as a threat to economic activity and an obstacle to a strong recovery after recession.

Also how are people to save for retirement when there is nowhere to put any savings which gains a real rate of interest?

It's not your real rate if you get some of the interest back each year in the form of a tax deduction.