OH SH*T! The Bond Market Is Sending A MASSIVE Recession Warning
Feb 6, 2025
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Bond yields have plummeted, revealing deeper economic struggles beyond just government deficits. The discussion highlights how modern banking systems are wary of lending, contributing to a fragile economy. Many Americans are increasingly reliant on food banks, caught between rising costs and stagnant wages. Fluctuations in the services sector suggest an illusion of recovery, masking ongoing recessionary challenges and unresolved fundamental issues.
The recent plunge in Treasury yields signals a major market shift, questioning the influence of fiscal deficits on interest rates.
Current economic indicators, particularly in the services sector, reveal a troubling recessionary trend despite temporary optimism following rate cuts.
Deep dives
Recent Trends in Treasury Yields
Treasury yields have recently plunged to multi-month lows, with the 10-year Treasury yield dropping nearly 40 basis points within weeks, signaling a notable shift in market sentiment. This decline raises questions about the factors behind the mini rally in bonds, especially as it contradicts the usual expectations tied to fiscal deficits. The relationship between interest rates and deficits has been misrepresented; the current bond market trends underscore that fundamental economic conditions, rather than government borrowing, primarily drive interest rates. Despite previous fluctuations and rate hikes after hawkish Fed meetings, the overall context remains one of tough economic realities, driving the market to reassess growth expectations.
Weak Economic Indicators
Current economic indicators, particularly within the services sector, suggest a rolling back of recent improvements, indicating a deeper recessionary trend. The ISM non-manufacturing index fell into levels consistent with recession territory, while new orders have also seen a significant decline, highlighting a lack of sustained demand. This downturn echoes broader economic challenges, with rising layoffs and stagnant wages contributing to increased reliance on food banks and aid services across the country. Overall, the persistence of economic hardship reveals that temporary optimism following rate cuts may not translate into lasting recovery, as foundational issues remain unresolved.
The Role of Treasury Holdings in a Fragile Economy
U.S. Treasuries remain crucial in the global financial ecosystem, acting as safe collateral and liquidity sources, despite rising concerns about the federal deficit. The demand for Treasuries extends beyond investment returns, as market participants leverage them for attractive funding conditions, reflecting a broader search for safety amidst low growth expectations. Recent analysis illustrates that while foreign interest in U.S. debt persists, the underlying economic fundamentals present progressive challenges that could undermine this stability. The current reliance on Treasuries emphasizes the fragility of the economy, where low growth and inflation signals reinforce the necessity of these financial instruments in risk-averse strategies.
Bond yields have fallen sharply over the past two weeks, having now roundtripped the past two FOMC meetings, going all the way back to where they'd been before the "hawkish rate cut" in December. Latest data on the services economy go a long way to explaining why, with signs of one-offs and non-economic artificial factors more and more coming out of it.
Eurodollar University's Money & Macro Analysis
Bloomberg US Bond ‘Death Spiral’ Risk Brushed Aside by Foreign Funds https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-16/treasuries-death-spiral-risk-is-brushed-aside-by-foreign-funds
Bloomberg Working Americans Turn to Food Banks as Fed Inflation Battle Drags On https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-01-27/us-inflation-leads-families-to-struggle-for-food-fed-debates-rate-path