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Fed Warns Hedge Funds' Treasury Basis Trades Risk Causing Market Turmoil

  • Fed economists warn hedge funds' basis trades in Treasuries may cause market disruptions like in 2020.
  • Trades involve shorting futures, buying bonds, and profiting from futures premium over cash bonds.
  • Positions at record highs recently and could unwind rapidly if repo funding costs rise.
  • Fed sees risks of volatility and dislocations in Treasuries, futures, and repo markets.
  • Rapid unwind contributed to March 2020 bond market turmoil; Fed aims to prevent a repeat.
reuters.com
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### Summary The US economy and markets appear to be in good shape, with a strong stock market, low inflation, and low unemployment. However, there are potential risks on the horizon, including the impact of the Federal Reserve's monetary tightening, supply and labor shocks from the pandemic, political polarization, and the possibility of another government shutdown. While the overall outlook for investing remains uncertain, it's important for investors to prepare for any eventuality. ### Facts - The US stock market is close to its 2022 peak, inflation is less severe than a year ago, and the economy remains strong with low unemployment. - The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates by 5 percentage points, which could lead to economic growth faltering. - The US economy is facing supply and labor shocks from the pandemic and commodity shortages caused by Russia's war with Ukraine. - Falling prices in China could contribute to disinflation in the US and elsewhere. - Political polarization in the US and the possibility of another government shutdown could negatively impact the economy and markets. - Despite the resilience and stability of the economy and markets, there are still risks to consider, including a crisis in commercial real estate and the potential for inflation to flare up again. - Some economists and surveys predict a 50% probability of a recession occurring within the next 12 months. - Investing should be based on a long-term outlook and a diversified portfolio, with cash on hand to cover expenses. Note: Due to the nature of the text provided, some of the facts may be subjective or based on the author's opinion.
Surging U.S. Treasury yields are causing concern among investors as they wonder how much it will impact the rally in stocks and speculative assets, with the S&P 500, technology sector, bitcoin, and high-growth names all experiencing losses; rising rates are making it more difficult for borrowers and increasing the appeal of risk-free Treasury yields.
The Fed and bond market may be headed for a clash as they have differing views on whether interest rates are sufficiently restrictive to cool the economy and bring inflation back to target.
The strong U.S. economic growth and potential rate hikes by the Federal Reserve could pose global risks, potentially leading to a significant tightening of global financial conditions and affecting emerging markets and the rest of the world.
The Federal Reserve is losing its power to influence the US economy, according to Wall Street economist Richard Koo, potentially requiring higher interest rates to drive inflation down and leading to a selloff in stocks and bonds.
Hedge funds' increased use of leveraged trades in the Treasury market is raising concerns among economists at the Federal Reserve Board, who highlight the need for continued monitoring due to the potential financial stability vulnerability of these trades.
The Federal Reserve's quantitative tightening program, which involves reducing its balance sheet, has not had a significant impact on the market so far, as private sector participants have taken over its role in the Treasury market; however, there is still a risk to banking reserves if money market funds stop buying T-bills.
The United States Federal Reserve's financial woes and potential implications for cryptocurrency are discussed on the latest episode of "Macro Markets," highlighting challenges posed by inflation and the consequences of loose monetary policies during the pandemic.
The resilient growth of the US economy is fueling a rebound in the dollar and causing bearish investors to rethink their positions, although the currency's rally may face challenges from upcoming data and the Federal Reserve's meeting this month.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Goldman Sachs may be optimistic about a "soft landing" scenario for the US economy, but the author remains skeptical due to factors such as a deeply inverted yield curve, declining Leading Economic Indicators, challenges faced by the consumer, global growth concerns, and the lagging impact of the Fed's monetary policy, leading them to maintain a conservative portfolio allocation.
The Federal Reserve is unlikely to panic over the recent surge in consumer prices, driven by a rise in fuel costs, as it considers further interest rate hikes, but if the rate hikes weaken the job market it could have negative consequences for consumers and President Biden ahead of the 2024 election.
The US Dollar Index (DXY) retreats as falling US Treasury yields and risk-on sentiment weigh on the greenback, while technical indicators suggest a potential golden cross and the outcome of the Federal Reserve's meeting could impact its movement.
Wall Street fears that the Federal Reserve will push out the timing for rate cuts next year, sparking concerns of a hawkish pause and increasing selling pressure, despite a trend of rapid disinflation and the potential for a higher neutral interest rate.
The Federal Reserve's uncertainty about 2024 is causing concern for the markets.
US stock futures rise as investors await Fed decision on rates; US debt rises to $33 trillion as government shutdown looms; Federal Reserve expected to pause rate hikes; Impact of government shutdown, autoworkers strike, and rising oil prices on the economy; Biden reshapes the Federal Reserve.
The stock market faces a major issue as the dollar reaches a crucial level and could potentially break out.
Markets on Wall Street are expected to open with losses after the Federal Reserve suggests it may not cut interest rates next year by as much as previously thought, leading to a decline in futures for the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average; uncertainty surrounding inflationary indicators and high rates is a major concern for traders moving forward.
The U.S. Treasury's planned buyback of its outstanding securities next year is aimed at improving liquidity in the bond market, but it is unlikely to ease periods of extreme financial stress, according to a senior official.
Bond investors are faced with the decision of how much risk to take with Treasury yields at their highest levels in more than a decade and the Federal Reserve signaling a pause in rate hikes.
Concerns over a possible U.S. government shutdown, rising oil prices, and a heavy schedule of Treasury debt sales are adding pressure to the markets, along with the ongoing property crisis in China and the effects of last week's hawkish Federal Reserve projections.
Wall Street struggles as the Federal Reserve's interest rate strategy and imminent government shutdown cause uncertainty, while oil price rally raises concerns about inflation and potential rate cuts.
Wall Street is concerned about the potential stress on the horizon as the Federal Reserve plans to keep interest rates higher for longer, and JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon warns that the world is unprepared for this scenario.
The Federal Reserve's commitment to higher interest rates has led to a surge in Treasury yields, causing significant disruptions in the bond market and affecting various sectors of the economy.
The Federal Reserve's recent hawkish stance and the sharp tightening of financial conditions have triggered jolts in bonds and stocks, raising questions about investor positioning going into the final quarter of 2023.
A recession is highly likely in the US and investors should prepare for it by adopting a defensive strategy, according to the CEO of the TCW Group, Katie Koch, who believes that the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes will start to have an impact and expects consumers and companies to struggle in this environment.
Rising Treasury rates and oil prices are creating an unfavorable situation for consumers, investors, and the economy, making it challenging for the Federal Reserve to manage inflation without causing a recession. The potential for a "soft landing" and decreased inflation remains, but the economy should prepare for possible sector-by-sector recessions and a full-blown recession, along with government shutdowns and fiscal policy disputes becoming normal occurrences. The discrepancy between short-term and longer-term rates controlled by the Fed has gained importance, with higher borrowing costs disrupting the stock and bond markets. In this volatile period, long-term investors should hold on and ensure they have enough money saved to weather the storm. While the Fed has pushed short-term rates higher, it has also benefited savers with higher yields on money market funds, short-term Treasury bills, and high-yield savings accounts. However, a strong dollar has impacted S&P 500 earnings, leading to a struggling stock market and increased costs for imports and exports. Rising interest rates pose the greatest economic challenge, affecting consumer loans and dampening spending. Traders who bet on long-term bonds have faced losses due to rising rates, highlighting the inverse relationship between interest rates and bond prices. As a result, it may be advisable to purchase shorter-term Treasuries and keep bond durations lower. The surge in bond yields has also disrupted stock investors' expectations of controlled inflation and the Fed's tightening, leading to stock market losses. The economy and markets may experience more turmoil, as there are various factors beyond the Federal Reserve's control.
The U.S. economy is experiencing turbulence, as inflation rates rise and U.S. Treasuries lose value, leading to concerns about whether Bitcoin and risk-on assets will be negatively impacted by higher interest rates and a cooling monetary policy.
Despite the relatively calm appearance of the stock market, there are many underlying issues that could pose risks, including the debt ceiling crisis, potential default on U.S. debt, tensions with Russia and China, ongoing effects of the pandemic, and uncertainty about the future direction of the economy. Therefore, while investors should remain in the market, it is advised to hedge bets and diversify holdings.
U.S. stocks and bonds are falling due to another surge in Treasury yields, leading to anxiety among investors who fear that the Fed will hold interest rates higher for longer if the labor market remains strong.
The Federal Reserve's shift towards higher interest rates is causing significant turmoil in financial markets, with major averages falling and Treasury yields reaching their highest levels in 16 years, resulting in increased costs of capital for companies and potential challenges for banks and consumers.
The market is experiencing a breakdown and may be headed for a crash due to the budget battle in Washington and the dysfunctional state of the House of Representatives after the removal of Kevin McCarthy as Speaker; however, there is a chance that a financial crisis in the commercial property sector could lead to a market rally if the Federal Reserve is forced to cut interest rates.
Investors are likely to continue facing difficulties in the stock market as three headwinds, including high valuations and restrictive interest rates, persist, according to JPMorgan. The bank's cautious outlook is based on the surge in bond yields and the overhang of geopolitical risks, which resemble the conditions before the 2008 financial crisis. Additionally, the recent reading of sentiment indicators suggests that investors have entered a state of panic due to high interest rates.
The rise in interest rates on US treasury bonds is causing concerns of turbulence in the bond markets, potentially leading to a crash in other asset markets.
The surge in long-term Treasury yields is jeopardizing the Federal Reserve's plans for a soft landing as it keeps interest rates high, increasing the risk of a recession.
Concerns surround the upcoming release of U.S. payrolls data and how hawkish the Federal Reserve needs to be, as global markets experience a period of calm following a tumultuous week that saw Treasury yields rise to 16-year highs, crude oil prices drop, equities decline, and the yen strengthen. Japanese government bond yields are also causing concern, as investor sentiment towards the Bank of Japan's stimulus remains low.
The chaos in the bond market is largely attributed to the Federal Reserve, as panic over higher interest rates has led to a selloff in long-dated Treasurys, although some market experts believe this panic is disconnected from market fundamentals and that interest rates are unlikely to remain high for long.
The Federal Reserve is expected to continue reducing its bond holdings despite the recent surge in bond yields, as key measures of volatility and liquidity in the bond market are not indicating a significant risk, and higher credit costs align with the central bank's goal of restraining growth and lowering inflation.
Fears surrounding the Federal Reserve's actions have caused panic among investors, leading to disorder in the bond market with the 10-year US Treasury yield reaching a 16-year high.
The Treasury bond market sell-off has led to a significant crash, causing high yields that are impacting stocks, commodities, cryptocurrencies, housing, and foreign currencies.
Goldman Sachs economists warn that the recent surge in US Treasury yields will hamper economic growth and pose financial risks, though the bank does not predict a recession; they estimate a 0.5 percentage-point blow to US GDP over the next year.
Goldman Sachs warns that the Federal Reserve's prolonged tight monetary policy and higher interest rates will have a negative impact on the economy and markets, potentially leading to lower GDP growth, stock market pressure, and challenges for corporations.
Top Federal Reserve officials are considering that tighter financial conditions resulting from an increase in US Treasury yields may replace the need for further interest rate hikes.
Investors' nerves were settled by dovish remarks from Federal Reserve officials, suggesting that rising yields on long-term U.S. Treasury bonds could have a similar market effect as formal monetary policy moves, potentially reducing the need for further rate hikes.
Famed hedge-fund manager, Paul Tudor Jones, warns that a decline in the stock market and a recession is likely to occur in the face of the Federal Reserve's aggressive monetary tightening, and advises investing in gold and bitcoin due to the challenging geopolitical environment.
Investors are closely monitoring the bond market and September CPI data to determine the Fed's stance on interest rates, with Seema Shah of Principal Asset Management highlighting the circular nature of market reactions to yield spikes and their subsequent declines. She suggests that while there are concerns about upward momentum, the equity market will find comfort in a continued drop in yields and could remain range-bound for the rest of the year. Diversification is recommended as the market narrative remains unclear, and investors may consider waiting until early 2024 for greater clarity on the economy and the Fed's actions.
The Federal Reserve is adopting a cautious stance due to uncertainty surrounding the US economy, including risks posed by volatile data and tightening financial markets.
The Federal Reserve officials are uncertain about the U.S. economy's outlook and plan to proceed cautiously in deciding whether to raise interest rates, with some acknowledging the risks of raising rates too high or not enough to curb inflation.