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What the Bond Market Is Really Telling Us About Inflation
The Federal Reserve’s dual quantitative easing exercises…have been disappointing thus far and, according to what the multi-billion dollar Treasury market is telling us, the numerous forecasts of upcoming inflationary pressures just do NOT exist. [Let me explain.] Words: 571
So says Carlos X. Alexandre (http://cxamarkets.com/) in an article* which Lorimer Wilson, editor of www.munKNEE.com , has further edited ([ ]), abridged (…) and reformatted below for the sake of clarity and brevity to ensure a fast and easy read. Please note that this paragraph must be included in any article re-posting to avoid copyright infringement. Alexandre goes on to say:
Because a picture is worth a thousand opinions take a look at the chart below which depicts the trajectory of ten year Treasury yields [during] the timeline of quantitative easing.
The Bond Market’s Response to QE1
As QE1 got under way, the bond market sold off, pricing an expectation of higher inflation ahead. About midway through the process, the lack of inflation, among other factors, became apparent to market participants, and ten year yields stayed roughly between 3.5% and 4.0% until QE1 ended in March of 2010. Investors looked around and couldn’t pinpoint what the quantitative easing program had actually done [resulting in] yields dropping… from 4.0% to 2.5%.
The Bond Market’s Response to QE2
[When] the Federal Reserve announced another round of easy money… the rates popped [up] to around 3.75% and then took a deep breath. Once again, the market could not smell the familiar inflationary stink and yields dropped to today’s 3.15%.Sign up for FREE weekly “Top 100 Stock Index, Asset Ratio & Economic Indicator Trends”
The quantitative easing sequel is about to end its run and, as the broad market sees it, [there has been] no damage and no solution either…In addition, the flow of recent economic data highlights a return to dismal growth, with a few encouraging signs along the way. [As such,] an understanding of why QE has not delivered the goods and why deflationary pressures persist is required. As I have stated before, the reason behind the money printing exercise’s failure to accomplish its goals is quite simple – the consumer is not responding.
The Stock Market’s Response to QE
From an equity market perspective the generally accepted belief that financials outperform when rates are low is not materializing, and that goes to the unusual nature of the investment environment and the lack of reference points. Banks — not brokers or investment houses — are the “canary in the coal mine.” [As such,] my stance has been, and continues to be, bearish on the U.S. economy and bullish on the equity markets – strictly based on capital flows.
Conclusion
It appears we are coming to a crossroads where market perceptions of the future are meeting a screaming economic reality, and vigilance on market sentiment, or capital flows [which] I prefer [to follow], will determine the turning point…
*http://seekingalpha.com/article/271249-stocks-and-inflation-what-the-market-is-really-telling-us?source=email_macro_view
Editor’s Note:
- The above article consists of reformatted edited excerpts from the original for the sake of brevity, clarity and to ensure a fast and easy read. The author’s views and conclusions are unaltered.
- Permission to reprint in whole or in part is gladly granted, provided full credit is given as per paragraph 2 above.
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Inflation
Why would anyone use the bond market for analyzing inflation. The demand for bonds is heavily distorted.