Bull steepeners find fertile soil in the summer break

Bull steepeners find fertile soil in the summer break

Bonds
Althea Spinozzi

Head of Fixed Income Strategy

Summary:  Curve steepeners might have further room to run in the next few weeks. The front part of the yield curve will remain underpinned by the speculation that the Federal Reserve and the ECB are close to ending the hiking cycle and inflation is adjusting lower. At the same time, long-term yields can increase as investors weigh in on the BOJ yield curve control tweak.


Yet, things might change between September and October, as markets understand that the Fed is not done, that it is just slowing down the pace of interest rate hikes, and that the peak benchmark rate might be higher than previously forecasted. That might revive a selloff in the front part of the US yield curve.

In Europe, weak economic data and falling inflation might completely wipe out bets for another interest rate hike.

Bond futures might be mispricing future rate hikes: the ECB is closer to being done hiking than the Federal Reserve.

Following this week’s monetary policy meetings, markets are convinced that in Europe and the United States, the end of the rate hiking cycle is near. The ECB and the Fed hiked interest rates by 25bps but kept a flexible approach to future rate decisions. That provoked a bull steepening of their sovereign yield curves as the market is positioning for the end of the hiking cycle on both sides of the Atlantic.

Yet, robust US economic data and weak European data are putting light on the contraction of monetary policies' expectations.

Bond futures show the possibility of a 9bps rate hike in the US by November, while they show almost a 20bps rate hike in Europe by December. Yet, macroeconomic data tell us that the ECB might be closer to ending the hiking cycle than the Fed. Therefore, while today's PCE data might further erase Fed rate hike expectations as the monthly core PCE is expected to come at 0.2%, two more CPI and job reports before the September Fed meeting might revive the expectation of another rate hike. It's important not to forget that, according to economist forecasts, the US core PCE is expected to close the year at 4.2% and to decrease to 2.7% in 2024 and 2.2%, staying well above the Fed's inflation target. Depending on the economy's resilience and the job market, that might warrant more rate hikes. Thus, the Fed's peak rate might be as high as 6%, but the Fed will arrive there slower and keep rates higher for longer, hoping for inflation to continue to drop.

Things in Europe are slightly different. The biggest euro economy is in a recession, and the economy is expected to remain weak with contracting industrial orders, soft purchasing power, and a slowdown in credit facilitation. That means that deflation might be faster in the Eurozone and that although we believe that another rate hike is warranted, the ECB might end the hiking rate cycle before the Fed.

Long-term EU and US sovereigns are at risk amid a more flexible Bank of Japan.

The Bank of Japan tweaked its yield curve control policy, allowing 10Y JGB to trade within a band of +/- 1%. For more information click here.

It is not a coincidence that the policy changed now that the market believes that we are at the end of the hiking cycle in the US and Europe because it puts less selling pressure on JGBs. Although Ueda assured he doesn't expect 10-year JGB yields to soar to 1%, we believe that traders will be inclined to test the limit imposed, giving ample room for Japanese investors to buy JGBs at the highest level since 2012.

The problem is that Japanese investors forced to buy higher-yielding securities abroad for many years, are now finding JGBs much more convenient than US and German Bunds for the first time since 2007. Therefore, a great Japanese repatriation might begin pushing European and US Treasury yields higher.

We are now seeing 10-year US Treasury yields test resistance at 4%. Given today’s BOJ yield curve control tweak and the country’s macroeconomic resiliency, 10-year yields may move to test resistance at their 2022 high of 4.31%.

Source: Bloomberg.

Ten-year German Bund yields remain in an uptrend, on their way to their February peak at 2.76%. To contain their rise is the scarcity of collateral in the euro area and the dire economic data.

Source: Bloomberg.

Quarterly Outlook

01 /

  • Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    The Fed started the US rate cut cycle in Q3 and in this macro outlook we will explore how the rate c...
  • 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

  • Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    After a period of historically high equity index concentration driven by the 'Magnificent Seven' sto...
  • FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    As we enter the final quarter of 2024, currency markets are set for heightened turbulence due to US ...
  • Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore the outlook for USD, AUD, NZD, and EM carry trades as risk-on currencies are set to outperfo...
  • Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore key trends and opportunities in European equities and electrification theme as market dynami...
  • Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore the "two-lane economy," European equities, energy commodities, and the impact of US fiscal p...
  • Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Quarterly Outlook

    Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

    Discover strategies for managing bonds as US and European yields remain rangebound due to uncertain ...
  • Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

    Energy and grains to shine as metals pause. Discover key trends and market drivers for commodities i...
Disclaimer

The Saxo 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 is not intended to and does not change or expand on this. 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 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 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 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 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 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-hk/legal/disclaimer/saxo-disclaimer)

None of the information contained here constitutes an offer to purchase or sell a financial instrument, or to make any investments. Saxo does not take into account your personal investment objectives or financial situation and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the information nor for any loss arising from any investment made in reliance of this presentation. Any opinions made are subject to change and may be personal to the author. These may not necessarily reflect the opinion of Saxo or its affiliates.

Saxo Capital Markets HK Limited
19th Floor
Shanghai Commercial Bank Tower
12 Queen’s Road Central
Hong Kong

Contact Saxo

Select region

Hong Kong S.A.R
Hong Kong S.A.R

Saxo Capital Markets HK Limited (“Saxo”) is a company authorised and regulated by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong. Saxo holds a Type 1 Regulated Activity (Dealing in Securities); Type 2 Regulated Activity (Dealing in Futures Contract); Type 3 Regulated Activity (Leveraged Foreign Exchange Trading); Type 4 Regulated Activity (Advising on Securities) and Type 9 Regulated Activity (Asset Management) licenses (CE No. AVD061). Registered address: 19th Floor, Shanghai Commercial Bank Tower, 12 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong.

Trading in financial instruments carries various risks, and is not suitable for all investors. Please seek expert advice, and always ensure that you fully understand these risks before trading. Trading in leveraged products may result in your losses exceeding your initial deposits. Saxo does not provide financial advice, any information available on this website is ‘general’ in nature and for informational purposes only. Saxo does not take into account an individual’s needs, objectives or financial situation. Please click here to view the relevant risk disclosure statements.

The Saxo trading platform has received numerous awards and recognition. For details of these awards and information on awards visit www.home.saxo/en-hk/about-us/awards.

The information or the products and services referred to on this site may be accessed worldwide, however is only intended for distribution to and use by recipients located in countries where such use does not constitute a violation of applicable legislation or regulations. Products and services offered on this website are not directed at, or intended for distribution to or use by, any person or entity residing in the United States and Japan. Please click here to view our full disclaimer.

Apple, iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries. AppStore is a service mark of Apple Inc. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.