The rent-ratio in most US cities is now less than 10%, which means that rental housing has a current gross yield of more than 10%.

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Italy's short-term borrowing costs rose at an auction of six-month bonds, which were sold at a gross yield of 1.24%, up from 0.73% at a similar auction a month ago.

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If the investor is in the 35 percent marginal tax bracket, then to get the same income from an equally risky bond that is not tax-free would require a gross yield of 3 percent per year.

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It has a predictable ongoing revenue stream that produces gross margins that yield big net profits.

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Gross margins are also taking a hit with new product yield issues and, with the overhead from the new production line, we could see gross margins hover around low 30% for several quarters.

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The cheaper phone he outlines would also yield a 20-21% gross margin to Nokia, Kvaal says.

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So when the yield curve is steeper, banks have a fatter future gross operating profit margin.

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With the yield curve as steep as ever, this bank's gross profit on lending will expand.

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In his June investment outlook, Mr. Gross acknowledged the downside risk in holding Treasury bonds, especially at these low yield levels.

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