The S&P stock index now yields a 7% real (inflation-adjusted) return. By contrast, the annual real interest rate on the five-year US Treasury Inflation-Protected Security (TIPS) is -1.02%. Yes, there is a 'minus' sign in front of that: if you buy the five-year TIPS, each year over the next five years, the US Treasury will pay you in interest the past year's consumer inflation rate minus 1.02%.