NationalDebtFacts

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US debt news, October 2026

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

  1. Debt

    Treasury pays 3.58% on its debt and 4.94% on new ten-year borrowing

    At the end of October 2026 the average rate across all interest-bearing debt was 3.580%. On October 30, 2026 the Treasury yield curve ran from 4.06% to 5.34%, with the ten-year at 4.94% and the thirty-year at 5.31%. New ten-year borrowing therefore costs 136 basis points more than the average already being paid, and maturing securities are refinanced at the new rate. The published average excludes inflation-protected and floating rate securities.

    Average rate paid
    3.580%
    3-month bill
    4.16%
    10-year note
    4.94%
    30-year bond
    5.31%
    Gap at ten years
    +136 bp
    Source: US Treasury — Daily Treasury Par Yield Curve Rates

  2. Debt

    The average interest rate on the US debt rose to 3.580% in October 2026

    Treasury paid an average of 3.580% across all interest-bearing debt at the end of October 2026, up 5 basis points from 3.531% a month earlier. Twelve months earlier it was 3.355%, a change of plus 23 basis points. Marketable debt, the part sold at auction, averaged 3.570%. 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
    3.580%
    Change on the month
    +5 basis points
    Change on the year
    +23 basis points
    Marketable debt
    3.570%
    Source: US Treasury — Average interest rates on Treasury securities

  3. Debt

    US debt rose $130 billion in the week to October 29, 2026

    Total public debt outstanding was $40.59 trillion on October 29, 2026, up $130 billion from $40.46 trillion on October 23, 2026. Over the 30 days to October 29, 2026 it rose $497 billion, an average of $16.6 billion a day. Since fiscal year 2027 began on October 1, 2026, it has risen $422 billion.

    Total public debt
    $40.59 trillion
    Change over the week
    +$130 billion
    Change over 30 days
    +$497 billion
    Source: US Treasury — Debt to the Penny

  4. Federal ReserveFederal Reserve Board

    Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement

    The Federal Open Market Committee published its policy statement. The statement sets the target range for the federal funds rate, which influences what the Treasury pays on newly issued short-term debt. For reference: the federal funds target range was 3.75–4% and the effective rate 3.88% on October 27, 2026, the latest New York Fed figures when this item was published.

    Source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

  5. BudgetCongressional Budget Office

    Information Sources for Policymakers: Congressional Budget Office 101

    The Congressional Budget Office published “Information Sources for Policymakers: Congressional Budget Office 101”. CBO's summary: “Presentation by Lara Robillard, an analyst in CBO's Budget Analysis Division, at AcademyHealth's 2026 Health Policy Orientation.” For reference: total public debt outstanding was $40.58 trillion on October 27, 2026.

    Source: Congressional Budget Office

  6. BudgetCongressional Budget Office

    Estimated Budgetary Effects of S. 5526, the Agricultural Act of 2026

    The Congressional Budget Office published “Estimated Budgetary Effects of S. 5526, the Agricultural Act of 2026”. CBO's summary: “As ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on September 16, 2026” For reference: total public debt outstanding was $40.53 trillion on October 26, 2026.

    Source: Congressional Budget Office

  7. BudgetCongressional Budget Office

    A Primer on CBO's Projections of Federal Receipts and Expenditures in the National Income and Product Accounts

    The Congressional Budget Office published “A Primer on CBO's Projections of Federal Receipts and Expenditures in the National Income and Product Accounts”. CBO's summary: “CBO explains the differences between revenues, outlays, and deficits in the federal budget and the corresponding measures of federal receipts, expenditures, and saving in the national income and product accounts.” For reference: total public debt outstanding was $40.46 trillion on October 23, 2026.

    Source: Congressional Budget Office

  8. BudgetCongressional Budget Office

    CBO's Projections of Federal Receipts and Expenditures in the National Income and Product Accounts: 2026 to 2036

    The Congressional Budget Office published “CBO's Projections of Federal Receipts and Expenditures in the National Income and Product Accounts: 2026 to 2036”. CBO's summary: “CBO presents its projections of revenues and outlays for the 2026–2036 period translated into projections of current federal receipts and expenditures in the national income and product accounts.” For reference: total public debt outstanding was $40.46 trillion on October 23, 2026.

    Source: Congressional Budget Office

  11. Debt

    US debt rose $56.8 billion in the week to October 22, 2026

    Total public debt outstanding was $40.44 trillion on October 22, 2026, up $56.8 billion from $40.39 trillion on October 16, 2026. Over the 30 days to October 22, 2026 it rose $347 billion, an average of $11.6 billion a day. Since fiscal year 2027 began on October 1, 2026, it has risen $273 billion.

    Total public debt
    $40.44 trillion
    Change over the week
    +$56.8 billion
    Change over 30 days
    +$347 billion
    Source: US Treasury — Debt to the Penny

  13. Budget

    Federal deficit reaches $1.99 trillion in the first 12 months of fiscal 2026

    The Monthly Treasury Statement for September 2026 shows a deficit of $1.99 trillion for fiscal year 2026 so far, compared with a deficit of $1.78 trillion in the same months a year earlier ($217 billion more). Receipts were $5.40 trillion and outlays $7.40 trillion. In September alone the government ran a deficit of $26.9 billion, against a surplus of $198 billion in September 2025.

    Deficit, fiscal 2026 to date
    $1.99 trillion
    Receipts
    $5.40 trillion
    Outlays
    $7.40 trillion
    Versus a year earlier
    +12.2%
    Source: US Treasury — Monthly Treasury Statement

  14. Debt

    US debt rose $86.8 billion in the week to October 15, 2026

    Total public debt outstanding was $40.39 trillion on October 15, 2026, up $86.8 billion from $40.30 trillion on October 9, 2026. Over the 30 days to October 15, 2026 it rose $274 billion, an average of $9.1 billion a day. Since fiscal year 2027 began on October 1, 2026, it has risen $216 billion.

    Total public debt
    $40.39 trillion
    Change over the week
    +$86.8 billion
    Change over 30 days
    +$274 billion
    Source: US Treasury — Debt to the Penny

  16. Auctions

    30-year bond auction: 5.618% high yield, bid-to-cover 2.54

    The Treasury sold $22.5 billion of 30-year bond securities on October 8, 2026, reopening an existing issue with 29-year 10-month remaining. The high yield was 5.618%, 31 basis points higher than the 5.308% at the previous 30-year bond auction on September 10, 2026. Bids came to 2.54 times the amount sold (previous auction: 2.61). Indirect bidders, a group that includes foreign central banks, were awarded 72.3% of the competitive amount; primary dealers, who must bid, took 6.8%.

    High yield
    5.618%
    Bid-to-cover ratio
    2.54
    Amount sold
    $22.5 billion
    Indirect bidders
    72.3%
    Source: US Treasury — Auction results (TreasuryDirect), CUSIP 912810UW6, auctioned October 8, 2026

  17. BudgetCongressional Budget Office

    Monthly Budget Review: September 2026

    The Congressional Budget Office published “Monthly Budget Review: September 2026”. CBO's summary: “The federal budget deficit totaled $2.0 trillion in fiscal year 2026, CBO estimates, $218 billion more than the deficit recorded in fiscal year 2025.” For reference: total public debt outstanding was $40.28 trillion on October 7, 2026.

    Source: Congressional Budget Office

  18. Debt

    US debt rose $62.9 billion in the week to October 8, 2026

    Total public debt outstanding was $40.31 trillion on October 8, 2026, up $62.9 billion from $40.24 trillion on October 2, 2026. Over the 30 days to October 8, 2026 it rose $221 billion, an average of $7.4 billion a day. Since fiscal year 2027 began on October 1, 2026, it has risen $133 billion.

    Total public debt
    $40.31 trillion
    Change over the week
    +$62.9 billion
    Change over 30 days
    +$221 billion
    Source: US Treasury — Debt to the Penny

  19. BudgetCongressional Budget Office

    Projections of Deficits and Debt Under Two Scenarios With Higher Interest Rates

    The Congressional Budget Office published “Projections of Deficits and Debt Under Two Scenarios With Higher Interest Rates”. CBO's summary: “CBO analyzed the budgetary outcomes under two alternative scenarios in which interest rates are higher than those underlying CBO's February 2026 baseline.” For reference: total public debt outstanding was $40.28 trillion on October 7, 2026.

    Source: Congressional Budget Office

  20. Auctions

    10-year note auction: 5.300% high yield, bid-to-cover 2.77

    The Treasury sold $39.9 billion of 10-year note securities on October 7, 2026, reopening an existing issue with 9-year 10-month remaining. The high yield was 5.300%, 47 basis points higher than the 4.834% at the previous 10-year note auction on September 9, 2026. Bids came to 2.77 times the amount sold (previous auction: 2.71). Indirect bidders, a group that includes foreign central banks, were awarded 80.3% of the competitive amount; primary dealers, who must bid, took 2.5%.

    High yield
    5.300%
    Bid-to-cover ratio
    2.77
    Amount sold
    $39.9 billion
    Indirect bidders
    80.3%
    Source: US Treasury — Auction results (TreasuryDirect), CUSIP 91282CRF0, auctioned October 7, 2026

  21. Federal ReserveFederal Reserve Board

    Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee, September 15-16, 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.

    Source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

  22. Auctions

    3-year note auction: 4.932% high yield, bid-to-cover 2.62

    The Treasury sold $59.4 billion of 3-year note securities on October 6, 2026. The high yield was 4.932%, 46 basis points higher than the 4.474% at the previous 3-year note auction on September 8, 2026. Bids came to 2.62 times the amount sold (previous auction: 2.72). Indirect bidders, a group that includes foreign central banks, were awarded 57.6% of the competitive amount; primary dealers, who must bid, took 10.7%.

    High yield
    4.932%
    Bid-to-cover ratio
    2.62
    Amount sold
    $59.4 billion
    Indirect bidders
    57.6%
    Source: US Treasury — Auction results (TreasuryDirect), CUSIP 91282CRQ6, auctioned October 6, 2026

  23. BudgetCongressional Budget Office

    How Spending for Flood Adaptations Affects the Federal Budget

    The Congressional Budget Office published “How Spending for Flood Adaptations Affects the Federal Budget”. CBO's summary: “CBO examines how spending for flood adaptations today might affect the federal government's potential costs for disaster relief later, and what households are likely to pay for flood insurance that is subsidized by the federal government.” For reference: total public debt outstanding was $40.25 trillion on October 5, 2026.

    Source: Congressional Budget Office

  25. Debt

    US debt rose $145 billion in the week to October 2, 2026

    Total public debt outstanding was $40.24 trillion on October 2, 2026, up $145 billion from $40.10 trillion on September 25, 2026. Over the 30 days to October 2, 2026 it rose $125 billion, an average of $4.2 billion a day. Since fiscal year 2027 began on October 1, 2026, it has risen $70.6 billion.

    Total public debt
    $40.24 trillion
    Change over the week
    +$145 billion
    Change over 30 days
    +$125 billion
    Source: US Treasury — Debt to the Penny

  26. Federal Reserve

    Fed's Treasury holdings rose $18.2 billion in September 2026

    The Federal Reserve held $4.46 trillion of US Treasury securities in its last weekly report of September 2026 (September 30, 2026), up $18.2 billion from $4.44 trillion on August 26, 2026. Its holdings peaked at $5.68 trillion on April 20, 2022.

    Treasury securities held
    $4.46 trillion
    Change over the month
    +$18.2 billion
    Peak
    $5.68 trillion
    Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York — SOMA holdings

Sources

© 2026 Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Content from the New York Fed subject to the Terms of Use at newyorkfed.org.

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