The European rate market sends a signal to the ECB!
For the first time in this rate hike cycle, the German 2-year yield is below the ECB deposit facility rate. Furthermore, the difference between the German 2-year yield and the ECB deposit facility rate is at its lowest level (-0.53%) since 2008. Another market signal of an ECB monetary policy mistake? Not sure, considering the current level of inflation in Europe. Source: Bloomberg
Highest interest rate volatility since GFC!
The MOVE index, which measures interest rate volatility, has reached its highest level since the Global Financial Crisis. Tensions are extreme in the bond market between the stress in the US financial system triggered by the collapse of the Sillicon Valley bank and inflation that remains high. Uncertainty around the next FED decision next week has rarely been so high and especially in opposite directions: hike, pause, cut, everything remains open. But how will the market react if the Federal Reserve does not raise rates when the CPI core services ex shelter index was released today at its highest level since September? Source : Bloomberg.
Biggest two-day drop since 2008 for the 2-year US Treasury yield!
What a week for the Treasury market! Following the SVB story and the U.S. jobs report, the U.S. yield curve rallied sharply, with the front end leading the way. Indeed, the 2-year US Treasury yield has dropped nearly 50 bps (!) in two days. The reversal is significant => the market has now priced in an interest rate cut by year-end and is unlikely to get a 50 bps increase at the next FOMC meeting. The fear of a recession back on the agenda? Source: Bloomberg
Fed Chairman Powell has tipped the US yield curve into an unknown zone!
Fed Chairman Powell shifted the U.S. Treasury yield curve into its steepest inversion ever after his hawkish remarks to Congress. He deliberately opened the door to a higher terminal rate and a 50 basis point increase at the March FOMC meeting! The market reaction was quite brutal, with the 2-year U.S. Treasury yield rising above 5% for the first time since 2007, while the spread between the 2-year and 30-year yields reached -115 basis points for the first time ever. It will be interesting to see if Powell confirms today his comments from yesterday before the House Financial Services Committee. Source: Bloomberg
Stocks and Treasuries are very correlated again
Source: Goldman Sachs, The Market Ear
Highest default rate in the US High Yield market since september 2021!
There is some stress building in the U.S. high yield bond market, with the highest default rate since September 2021 occurring in January! While the default rate remains low (2.2% in January), U.S. high yield corporates are being downgraded at their fastest pace since 2020. A sign of future economic deterioration? Source: Bloomberg, Moody's.
The entire US Treasury yield curve back above 4% !
What a change in one month! The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield has risen about 70 basis points in one month and the entire U.S. Treasury yield curve is now trading (each key rate) above 4%. Recent economic and inflation data has caused investors to revise their outlook on U.S. monetary policy. A terminal rate of 5.5% is now expected by September and no cut in 2023. Note that for the first time, fed fund futures prices are forecasting a higher rate for the March 24 futures contract than for the March 2023 contract. Source: Bloomberg
The market now expects the ECB to raise its key rate at the highest level ever!
As reflected in the European swap market, market participants expect the ECB to raise its key interest rates to a level never before seen. The terminal rate is expected to be close to 4%, up from 3.75% in the early 2000s. Interestingly, for the first time in this cycle, the markets believe that the terminal rate will be reached in 2024 (and not in 2023). Higher rates for longer? Source: Bloomberg.
