Low Rates Entice Companies to Borrow

The Advance Auto Parts executives said the timing was right. The company wanted to capture more business by adding stores and expanding its fleet as motorists kept cars longer and needed more parts. So in January, looking at historically low interest rates and reassured by relative calm in the financial markets, the company issued $300 million in 10-year corporate bonds that pay investors 4.5 percent interest a year. . .