Market Commentary 6/22/18

U.S. bonds traded nearly unchanged for the week as interest rates rate remain capped by a combination of geopolitical and macroeconomic events. Key events this week that kept rates low included increased tariff tensions between the U.S. and China, a choppier stock market with a couple of ugly trading days both here and abroad, and commentary from the European and Japanese central banks about ongoing stimulative interest rate policies. Keep in mind that the world is addicted to low-interest rates and any news from our domestic or foreign central bankers about keeping rates “low for longer” is usually met with a positive response.

We are paying particular attention to the 2-year versus 10-year spread on U.S. Treasuries which compressed to near 40 basis points(bps). Economists consider a flattening yield an ominous signal of a slowing economy and it’s also a key recessionary indicator.

With what we believe to be a few tough weeks of negotiations ahead on tariffs, we are slightly biased toward floating interest rates as we can see the case for rates to go lower. However, if the geopolitical tensions around tariffs ease, we believe rates will rise quickly.