The Great Decoupling
What Happens When Bonds Have a High Emissions Schedule
Traditional markets have undeniably faced a whirlwind of volatility over the past week. The bond market continued its recent trajectory with the long end of the yield curve soaring to new multi-decade highs. At one juncture, the 30-year yield even brushed against the 5% mark, a development that has rattled both bond and equity investors.
Concurrently, the DXY index maintained its bullish run. This robust performance is underpinned by a combination of factors: strong domestic economic data, a Federal Reserve seemingly committed to a prolonged period of higher rates, and a growing fiscal deficit that has increased the Treasury's financing needs in the face of a reduced pool of international debt buyers.
Turning our attention to the MOVE index, a reliable barometer for market lending appetite and overall financial anxiety, we observed a surge past the 140 level for the first time since the SVB winddown. Contrary to the volatility observed in Q1/Q2, which was primarily caused by shifts at the curve's front end, this time it was the curve's long end that inflicted the damage. A spike in this key metric often presages challenging times for risk assets, signaling the potential emergence of vulnerabilities within the broader market.
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MSTR Reloading Presents Opportunity for Bounce, But Broader Picture Remains the Same
CORE STRATEGY There is a chance that MSTR flows spark a short-term bounce here, but assets further out on the risk curve continue to face headwinds from ongoing uncertainty surrounding trade and monetary policy. Although the current administration takes a pro-crypto stance, there appears to be no immediate catalyst to revive market enthusiasm. We still anticipate that crypto will outperform this year, but until we see further progress on trade/monetary...
CORE STRATEGY With lingering trade war talks and robust economic data dissuading a dovish Fed pivot, we think the potential for downside volatility remains elevated. While regulatory developments and institutional adoption continue to bolster the medium- to long-term outlook, no immediate “good news” seems likely. Nevertheless, we still expect crypto to outperform this year. Until we see flows return to crypto, raising cash/trimming altcoin positions appears prudent (BTC dominance higher)....
CORE STRATEGY With the looming threat of an escalating trade war and economic data robust enough to discourage a more dovish Fed stance, we believe the upside risk for the DXY and yields has increased in Q1. Moreover, the market remains highly volatile and headline-driven, inhibiting the crypto market from gaining meaningful momentum. While regulatory developments are a key medium- to a long-term tailwind for crypto, it is unlikely that...
Developments since the inauguration confirm that the new administration is prioritizing an industry-friendly regulatory environment. Coupled with an easing DXY/yields, a possible TGA spenddown, and favorable seasonality, we think it’s prudent to maintain a long bias. Source: TradingView, Fundstrat Source: TradingView, Fundstrat POWELL MAKES SOME EDITS When the FOMC statement was first released on Wednesday, it carried a distinctly hawkish tilt. The language reflected a more optimistic view on employment...