As the economic downturn steepened in the last few years, companies began to look for ways in which to utilize technology to reduce expenses and increase efficiency.
The yield curve was inverted early in the year, but positively sloped when the Fed first cut rates Sept. 18, and has steepened still now in the wake of the Fed's surprise rate cut Jan. 22.
The German yield curve initially steepened following a higher than forecast reading of consumer prices during March, but as selling picked up around the periphery of the Eurozone, even the inflation-sensitive two year schatz reversed course sending yields lower along the yield horizon.