Breaker image for morning call

Benchmark US yield blasts yet higher

Clare MacCarthy
Senior Editor, Saxo Bank

Financial markets are continuing in the path they've taken the past few days with US yields and the dollar still climbing, equities suffering and emerging markets looking like they're heading for trouble.

"The key events across markets was the US bond yields breaking higher, with the 10-year benchmark closing near 3.09%. One wonders if this is bad for the dollar in the longer run but for now the focus is on the advantage to the US in terms of yield advantage," says John J Hardy, Saxo’s Head of Forex Strategy.

For the moment though, he adds, this is very bad for emerging markets, given the greenback's status as the world's reserve currency. "When the US dollar goes up and when US yields go up too all of this EM exposure to dollar-denominated debt puts a lot of focus on these countries," Hardy says. The Turkish lira is especially exposed to systemic risk and the lira is plumbing new lows ahead of the June election there.

Meanwhile, Japan's GDP was very disappointing with "unbelievable nominal growth at a negative 0.4% QoQ" Hardy says. This economic contraction, he adds "will keep the Bank of Japan away from any move on policy," he adds.

A side effect of the dollar/US yield developments is that equities are "stuck in the mud", reports Peter Garnry, Saxo’s Head of Equity Strategy. The S&P futures index, for example, met pretty hard resistance and has been selling off since. Other hurdles for equities include North Korea's cancellation of scheduled talks with its southern neighbour and some fresh and disappointing macro news out of Europe. 

Finally today, Althea Spinozzi, from Saxo’s bond trading desk, notes that the US 10-year yield was very close yesterday to 3.10%, with its highest intraday being 3.09%. "The US 30-yr to 2-yr spread widened up a little but we're nowhere near a steeper curve," she adds. In Europe, these's pain for the price of sovereigns too because of that fresh evidence of that the economy is slowing.

Quarterly Outlook

01 /

  • Upending the global order at blinding speed

    Quarterly Outlook

    Upending the global order at blinding speed

    John J. Hardy

    Global Head of Macro Strategy

    We are witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime shredding of the global order. As the new order takes shape, ...
  • Equity outlook: The high cost of global fragmentation for US portfolios

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity outlook: The high cost of global fragmentation for US portfolios

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

  • Asset allocation outlook: From Magnificent 7 to Magnificent 2,645—diversification matters, now more than ever

    Quarterly Outlook

    Asset allocation outlook: From Magnificent 7 to Magnificent 2,645—diversification matters, now more than ever

    Jacob Falkencrone

    Global Head of Investment Strategy

  • Commodity Outlook: Commodities rally despite global uncertainty

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: Commodities rally despite global uncertainty

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • Macro outlook: Trump 2.0: Can the US have its cake and eat it, too?

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro outlook: Trump 2.0: Can the US have its cake and eat it, too?

    John J. Hardy

    Global Head of Macro Strategy

  • Equity Outlook: The ride just got rougher

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity Outlook: The ride just got rougher

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

  • China Outlook: The choice between retaliation or de-escalation

    Quarterly Outlook

    China Outlook: The choice between retaliation or de-escalation

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

  • Commodity Outlook: A bumpy road ahead calls for diversification

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: A bumpy road ahead calls for diversification

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • FX outlook: Tariffs drive USD strength, until...?

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX outlook: Tariffs drive USD strength, until...?

    John J. Hardy

    Global Head of Macro Strategy

  • Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Quarterly Outlook

    Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

Content disclaimer

None of the information provided on this website constitutes an offer, solicitation, or endorsement to buy or sell any financial instrument, nor is it financial, investment, or trading advice. Saxo Bank A/S and its entities within the Saxo Bank Group provide execution-only services, with all trades and investments based on self-directed decisions. Analysis, research, and educational content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered advice nor a recommendation.

Saxo’s content may reflect the personal views of the author, which are subject to change without notice. Mentions of specific financial products are for illustrative purposes only and may serve to clarify financial literacy topics. Content classified as investment research is marketing material and does not meet legal requirements for independent research.

Before making any investment decisions, you should assess your own financial situation, needs, and objectives, and consider seeking independent professional advice. Saxo does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information provided and assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages resulting from the use of this information.

Please refer to our full disclaimer and notification on non-independent investment research for more details.

Saxo Bank A/S (Headquarters)
Philip Heymans Alle 15
2900 Hellerup
Denmark

Contact Saxo

Select region

International
International

All trading and investing comes with risk, including but not limited to the potential to lose your entire invested amount.

Information on our international website (as selected from the globe drop-down) can be accessed worldwide and relates to Saxo Bank A/S as the parent company of the Saxo Bank Group. Any mention of the Saxo Bank Group refers to the overall organisation, including subsidiaries and branches under Saxo Bank A/S. Client agreements are made with the relevant Saxo entity based on your country of residence and are governed by the applicable laws of that entity's jurisdiction.

Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.