Make no mistake: European rates will rise despite the European Central Bank

Make no mistake: European rates will rise despite the European Central Bank

Bonds
Althea Spinozzi

Head of Fixed Income Strategy

Summary:  Don't be fooled by today's European Central bank's "dovish taper". With the German elections, reality will dawn on investors: rates will inevitably soar regardless of the ECB's monetary policies. We believe that today's mini-rally is the golden opportunity to short Bunds even cheaper.


A "dovish taper" has been delivered to perfection by the European Central Bank. The market was expecting the ECB to reduce the pace of bond purchases under the PEPP but remained uncertain about the surrounding message. The central bank resolved any doubt by putting black on white the following:

The Governing Council will purchase flexibly according to market conditions and with a view to preventing a tightening of financing conditions that is inconsistent with countering the downward impact of the pandemic on the projected path of inflation. In addition, the flexibility of purchases over time, across asset classes and among jurisdictions will continue to support the smooth transmission of monetary policy. If favourable financing conditions can be maintained with asset purchase flows that do not exhaust the envelope over the net purchase horizon of the PEPP, the envelope need not be used in full. Equally, the envelope can be recalibrated if required to maintain favourable financing conditions to help counter the negative pandemic shock to the path of inflation[1].”

In essence, the ECB says that rates will need to stay low until the pandemic is finished and the inflation target of 2% is reached. In case financial conditions tighten, thus rates rise, the ECB can still use PEPP’s full envelope or recalibrating it to counteract this trend.

To explain such a dovish decision might be the central bank’s macroeconomic projections which see inflation rising faster than previously expected for 2022 and 2023, yet, well below the ECB’s target.



[1] https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/pr/date/2021/html/ecb.mp210909~2c94b35639.en.html

Bund yields will rise regardless of the ECB’s monetary policies

Although the bond market is complacent with Lagarde's message today, we believe that the ECB will have a tough time keeping European rates in check during the last part of the year. We identify two main catalysts that will contribute to higher rates:

(1) German elections. As per the latest polls, the SPD is leading the CSU/CDU party. Although the greens have lost some support recently, it looks they could be still part of the next government. That should translate into more Fiscal spending, hence more Bund issuance that will push yields higher.

(2) Positive correlation with the US Treasuries. We expect yields to rise in the US and drift yields higher in Europe, too. On one side, if an agreement over the debt ceiling is not reached soon, it will increase the risk of a Quantitative Tightening (QT) in October /November. Indeed, the later a decision is taken, the larger the volumes of Bills the US Treasury will need to issue in a short time to refinance existing debt by the beginning of November. On the other hand, the longer the Federal Reserve delays tapering, the more aggressive it will need to be, provoking a fast rise in yields.

We expect 10-year Bunds to break above 0% by year-end and stabilizing around 0.2%. As a consequence, European Government bonds will need to reprice accordingly. We are particularly bearish Greece, France, Portugal and Spain. We remain neutral on Italian BTPS as we see still scope for the BTPS/Bund Spread to tighten to 75bps by the end of the year. However, it doesn't mean that yields won't rise in Italy, too. We expect them to stabilize between 0.9% to 1%.

Where does that leave us?

We remain of the idea that this is a golden opportunity to take advantage of cheaper valuations to short the bond market, as we have outlined in our recent piece.

Euro-Bund put-options with December expiry, 169 strike and Delta 20 have cheapened considerably and are now pricing at 0.360 while on Tuesday were trading at 0.470.

If you are not comfortable with put options, you can look at ETFs shorting European sovereigns such as:

  • Lyxor Bund Future Daily (-1x) ETF (BUNS:xpar)
  • Lyxor Bund Daily (-2x) Inverse UCITS ETG (DSB:xpar; LYQK:xetr)
  • Lyxor BTP Daily -2x Inverse ETF (BTP2S:xmil)
  • Lyxor BTP Monthly -2x Inverse ETF (BTP1S:xmil)

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, ...
  • 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

  • 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

  • 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...
  • 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

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.
- Notification on Non-Independent Investment Research (https://www.home.saxo/legal/niird/notification)
- Full disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/en-mena/legal/disclaimer/saxo-disclaimer)


Business Hills Park – Building 4,
4th Floor, office 401, Dubai Hills Estate, P.O. Box 33641, Dubai, UAE

Contact Saxo

Select region

UAE
UAE

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.