But we mean thought as a noun linked to provoking to form a compound adjective. Thus we must hyphenate: The article was thought-provoking.

Do you hyphen words?

Generally, you need the hyphen only if the two words are functioning together as an adjective before the noun they're describing. If the noun comes first, leave the hyphen out. ... You also don't need a hyphen when your modifier is made up of an adverb and an adjective.

Should interest bearing be hyphenated?

Yes. Adjective. Always hyphenate compound adjectives consisting of a noun and a participle: award-winning, cost-effective, custom-created, interest-bearing, market-tested, tailor-made, tax-sheltered, number-crunching, Windows-based.