In other words, 50% of the FOMC dissented with Bernanke, at least in principle. (Read Operation Twist Set To Fail As Bernanke Insists On Flattening The Yield Curve).

FORBES: Split In Bernanke's Fed Widens, QE3 On Deck, FOMC Minutes Show

Yield on 10-year Treasuries breached the 2% mark on the downside and traded at record lows, as fearful investors rushed into Treasuries. (Read Operation Twist Set To Fail As Bernanke Insists On Flattening The Yield Curve).

FORBES: A Transcendental Q3 Comes To An End: Equities Erased All Their Gains For The Year

There could be trouble ahead for another increasingly popular yield vehicle, mortgage REITS. If the Fed implements Operation Twist and buys long-term bonds to flatten the yield curve, that could hurt leveraged investors in mortgage-backed securities two ways.

FORBES: Surprise! Junk Debt Is Coming Back Into Style

Expectations are that with a new asset-purchasing program, the Fed will match the size and pace of Operation Twist, but that Treasury purchases will be spread across the yield curve, said Nomura.

FORBES: FOCUS: Fed Likely To Increase Balance Sheet Funding At FOMC Meeting; Supportive To Gold