Because a low-interest-rate environment is generally bullish for stocks, these expectations also helped drive the Dow Jones industrial average up by 24.31 points, to a record 2,900.97.

Financial stocks that do well in a low-interest-rate environment were among yesterday's big gainers.

One reason is that Merrill offers many money-market funds, which have little allure in a low-interest-rate environment.

A low-inflation, low-interest-rate environment would presumably be good for stocks, which compete with fixed-income securities, such as bonds, for investors' funds.

In today's low-interest-rate environment, many consumers need to review their life insurance policies, experts say.

The finance director, Roger Wood, said savings over the next two years were likely to total £13 million as the company took advantage of the new low-interest-rate environment.

"People are just looking for a place to park their money in this low-interest-rate environment," said Don Webber of State Street.

I'll invest in a low-inflation, low-interest-rate environment every time.

The issue was attractively priced, Ms. Beyer said, since many investors tend to avoid mortgage securities in low-interest-rate environments.

"Trophy properties have replaced blue chip stocks as a safe place to invest in a low-interest-rate environment," he said.