Join Srini Ramaswamy, Global Head of Rates Derivatives Strategy at J.P. Morgan, and Ipek Ozil, Senior Derivative Strategist, as they delve into the impact of the upcoming U.S. elections on rates markets. They discuss how different electoral outcomes could influence treasury supply and options pricing. The duo also examines the Fed's quantitative tightening, warning of potential risks to financial liquidity. Insights on managing market volatility amidst these changes offer strategies for cautious investment in uncertain times.
The upcoming U.S. election is expected to significantly impact rates markets and fiscal policy, influencing liquidity and term premiums.
The Federal Reserve's ongoing quantitative tightening may exacerbate funding stress, raising concerns over liquidity disruptions in the financial system.
Deep dives
Impact of the Election on U.S. Rates Markets
The upcoming U.S. election is anticipated to significantly influence the rates markets, particularly through its implications on fiscal policy. A divided government could maintain the status quo, while a sweeping victory by either party may increase deficits and treasury supply, thus impacting term premium. The pricing within the options markets indicates a greater election premium for longer-term rates compared to shorter durations, suggesting that the election's consequences will be more pronounced over time. Overall, the expectation is that the effects of the election will shape the funding premium in the near term, leading to a narrowing of longer maturity swap spreads and a flattening of the swap spread curve.
Effects of Quantitative Tightening (QT)
The current state of quantitative tightening by the Federal Reserve is under scrutiny, especially following unexpected remarks from the Dallas Fed President regarding reserves and liquidity. As QT continues, the reduction of reserves and reverse repurchase agreement (RRP) balances is noted, with implications for the smooth distribution of liquidity in the financial system. Spikes in repo rates at month-end and quarter-end are indicative of increasing funding stress, reminiscent of patterns observed prior to the repo market turmoil in 2019. Continued QT, particularly if prolonged by the debt ceiling constraints, poses a risk of abrupt liquidity removal once the Treasury resumes rebuilding its General Fund, echoing past financial episodes.
Calculating Rate Cut Expectations and Volatility
Recent stronger economic data has shifted market expectations towards more measured rate cuts, with scenarios predicting shallow cuts becoming more prevalent. The variability in anticipated policy rates suggests a significant range of outcomes is possible, from substantial cuts to very few, causing reassessments with each new data release. This uncertainty is likely to increase jump risks and volatility, particularly in the short to mid-term segment of the yield curve. As a result, adopting a bullish position on volatility, especially in light of potential disturbances from geopolitical events and fiscal policy changes, appears to be a favorable strategy for navigating these market dynamics.
Srini Ramaswamy and Ipek Ozil discuss the impact of the upcoming election on Rates markets, as well as Fed’s balance sheet policy and monetary policy expectations.
Speakers:
Srini Ramaswamy, Global Head of Rates Derivatives Strategy
Ipek Ozil, Senior Derivative Strategist