Italian BTPs are more attractive than Bunds in today's macroeconomic context Italian BTPs are more attractive than Bunds in today's macroeconomic context Italian BTPs are more attractive than Bunds in today's macroeconomic context

Italian BTPs are more attractive than Bunds in today's macroeconomic context

Bonds
Althea Spinozzi

Head of Fixed Income Strategy

Summary:

  • Italian BTPs are appealing asset in the event of persistent inflation, as they provide a stronger hedge against it.
  • Their correlation with the Bunds puts them in a position to also benefit in the event of heightened tensions in the Middle East.
  • Concerns about a weak euro leading to a second wave of inflation will limit the ECB rate cutting cycle, weighing on the Bunds and leaving long-term rates volatile.

Despite the ECB's preparations to cut rates, european sovereign bonds continue to decline. This can be attributed to the surge in commodity prices sparked by potential escalations in Middle East conflicts, hinting at sustained or even increased inflation in the latter half of the year.

Inflation plays a crucial role in bond performance. If it remains high, the chances of a bond bull rally are slim, as central banks would struggle to implement aggressive rate cuts. Expectations for Fed rate cuts in 2024 have dwindled from nearly six to less than two, while in Europe, they have decreased from almost seven to three.

Despite expectations that the ECB would be more aggressive in cutting interest rates than the Federal Reserve, this divergence hasn't halted the rise in Bund yields. Starting the year at 2%, ten-year yields have climbed to nearly 2.5%, showing an upward trend that could push them to test resistance at 2.5% and potentially reach 2.75% if breached.

Several factors could drive Bund yields higher:

  • Slower progress in disinflation: With core inflation hovering around 3% in the eurozone, the ECB's real policy rate stands at approximately 100 basis points. If inflation persists around this level, the ECB's room to cut rates to stimulate the long end of the yield curve would be limited.
  • Uncertainty surrounding the rate cut cycle: Policymakers have signaled their intent to cut rates in June but are managing expectations beyond that to prevent markets from anticipating aggressive cuts.
  • Concerns about a weak euro leading to a second wave of inflation: ECB President Lagarde's recent remarks concerning the impact of currency fluctuations on inflation underscores this concern and should not be ignored. A weaker euro is good for European growth, but if it weakens too much it might provoke a rise in inflation. That will limit policymakers ability to cut rates.

Ten-year Bunds still offer an attractive risk-reward profile.

Assuming a one-year holding period, yields would need to exceed 2.8% to result in a loss. Considering the potential for persistent inflation or economic recovery, the upside of such a position in the event of a market downturn or disinflationary trends cannot be ignored. For instance, if 10-year Bund yields were to drop from 2.46% to 1.46%, the position would yield an 11% upside.

Source: Bloomberg.

Italian government bonds present a compelling opportunity for investors.

While 10-year Bunds have declined by approximately 2% since the start of the year, Italian BTPs have remained stable. This outperformance can be attributed to the fact that Italian BTPs offer the highest yields among European sovereign bonds.

This high yield makes Italian BTPs attractive as a "safe haven" asset if inflation persists, as they provide a stronger hedge against inflation. Additionally, they would benefit from their correlation with the Bunds in the event of heightened tensions in the Middle East. Recent years have shown that higher yielding fixed-income securities, such as junk bonds, have demonstrated resilience in the face of high inflation.

Considering a one-year holding period, Italian BTPs offer an appealing risk-reward profile:

  • 2-year Italian BTPs yield 3.5% (IT0005557084), with yields needing to exceed 12% to result in a loss.
  • 10-year Italian BTPs yield 3.9% (IT0005584856), with yields needing to surpass 4.4% to result in a loss.
  • 30-year Italian BTPs yield 4.3% (IT0005534141), with yields needing to surpass 4.7% to result in a loss.

Other recent Fixed Income articles:

18-04 Micro Treasury Yield Futures Contracts: a simple way to trade interest rates markets.
17-04 All you need to know about the upcoming 20-year US Treasury auction.
16-04 QT Tapering Looms Despite Macroeconomic Conditions: Fear of Liquidity Squeeze Drives Policy
08-Apr ECB preview: data-driven until June, Fed-dependent thereafter.
03-Apr Fixed income: Keep calm, seize the moment.
21-Mar FOMC bond takeaway: beware of ultra-long duration.
18-Mar Bank of England Preview: slight dovish shift in the MPC amid disinflationary trends.
18-Mar FOMC Preview: dot plot and quantitative tightening in focus.
12-Mar US Treasury auctions on the back of the US CPI might offer critical insights to investors.
07-Mar The Debt Management Office's Gilts Sales Matter More Than The Spring Budget.
05-Mar "Quantitative Tightening" or "Operation Twist" is coming up. What are the implications for bonds?
01-Mar The bond weekly wrap: slower than expected disinflation creates a floor for bond yields.
29-Feb ECB preview: European sovereign bond yields are likely to remain rangebound until the first rate cut.
27-Feb Defense bonds: risks and opportunities amid an uncertain geopolitical and macroeconomic environment.
23-Feb Two-year US Treasury notes offer an appealing entry point.
21-Feb Four reasons why the ECB keeps calm and cuts later.
14 Feb Higher CPI shows that rates volatility will remain elevated.
12 Feb Ultra-long sovereign issuance draws buy-the-dip demand but stakes are high.
06 Feb Technical Update - US 10-year Treasury yields resuming uptrend? US Treasury and Euro Bund futures testing key supports
05 Feb  The upcoming 30-year US Treasury auction might rattle markets
30 Jan BOE preview: BoE hold unlikely to last as inflation plummets
29 Jan FOMC preview: the Fed might be on hold, but easing is inevitable.
26 Jan The ECB holds rates: is the bond rally sustainable?
18 Jan The most infamous bond trade: the Austria century bond.
16 Jan European sovereigns: inflation, stagnation and the bumpy road to rate cuts in 2024.
10 Jan US Treasuries: where do we go from here?
09 Jan Quarterly Outlook: bonds on everybody’s lips.

Quarterly Outlook 2024 Q3

Sandcastle economics

01 / 05

  • Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Invest wisely in Q3 2024: Discover SaxoStrats' insights on navigating a stable yet fragile global economy.

    Read article
  • Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Discover strategies for managing bonds as US and European yields remain rangebound due to uncertain inflation and evolving monetary policies.

    Read article
  • Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Explore key trends and opportunities in European equities and electrification theme as market dynamics echo 2021's rally.

    Read article
  • FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Explore the outlook for USD, AUD, NZD, and EM carry trades as risk-on currencies are set to outperform in Q3 2024.

    Read article
  • Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Energy and grains to shine as metals pause. Discover key trends and market drivers for commodities in Q3 2024.

    Read article

Disclaimer

The Saxo Bank Group entities each provide execution-only service and access to Analysis permitting a person to view and/or use content available on or via the website. This content is not intended to and does not change or expand on the execution-only service. Such access and use are at all times subject to (i) The Terms of Use; (ii) Full Disclaimer; (iii) The Risk Warning; (iv) the Rules of Engagement and (v) Notices applying to Saxo News & Research and/or its content in addition (where relevant) to the terms governing the use of hyperlinks on the website of a member of the Saxo Bank Group by which access to Saxo News & Research is gained. Such content is therefore provided as no more than information. In particular no advice is intended to be provided or to be relied on as provided nor endorsed by any Saxo Bank Group entity; nor is it to be construed as solicitation or an incentive provided to subscribe for or sell or purchase any financial instrument. All trading or investments you make must be pursuant to your own unprompted and informed self-directed decision. As such no Saxo Bank Group entity will have or be liable for any losses that you may sustain as a result of any investment decision made in reliance on information which is available on Saxo News & Research or as a result of the use of the Saxo News & Research. Orders given and trades effected are deemed intended to be given or effected for the account of the customer with the Saxo Bank Group entity operating in the jurisdiction in which the customer resides and/or with whom the customer opened and maintains his/her trading account. Saxo News & Research does not contain (and should not be construed as containing) financial, investment, tax or trading advice or advice of any sort offered, recommended or endorsed by Saxo Bank Group and should not be construed as a record of our trading prices, or as an offer, incentive or solicitation for the subscription, sale or purchase in any financial instrument. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, would be considered as a marketing communication under relevant laws.

Please read our disclaimers:
- Notification on Non-Independent Investment Research (https://www.home.saxo/legal/niird/notification)
- Full disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/en-gb/legal/disclaimer/saxo-disclaimer)

Saxo
40 Bank Street, 26th floor
E14 5DA
London
United Kingdom

Contact Saxo

Select region

United Kingdom
United Kingdom

Trade Responsibly
All trading carries risk. To help you understand the risks involved we have put together a series of Key Information Documents (KIDs) highlighting the risks and rewards related to each product. Read more
Additional Key Information Documents are available in our trading platform.

Saxo is a registered Trading Name of Saxo Capital Markets UK Ltd (‘Saxo’). Saxo is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Firm Reference Number 551422. Registered address: 26th Floor, 40 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DA. Company number 7413871. Registered in England & Wales.

This website, including the information and materials contained in it, are not directed at, or intended for distribution to or use by, any person or entity who is a citizen or resident of or located in the United States, Belgium or any other jurisdiction where such distribution, publication, availability or use would be contrary to applicable law or regulation.

It is important that you understand that with investments, your capital is at risk. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. It is your responsibility to ensure that you make an informed decision about whether or not to invest with us. If you are still unsure if investing is right for you, please seek independent advice. Saxo assumes no liability for any loss sustained from trading in accordance with a recommendation.

Apple, iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

©   since 1992