EURUSD Regains Some Strength, Bond Yields Signal a Recession

Source: DailyFX, ForexLive

We could see the Dollar bulls regain some control throughout the day as continuing trade wars could see demand for the safe-haven dollar push the EURUSD lower. Focus will also shift towards US core inflation being released later today, as investors keep an eye out for signals that an increase in prices could lead to the Fed maintaining its patient stance.

Bond markets are sending a signal

German 10-year bond yields are down to post-Brexit lows of -0.20% as slowing inflation expectations and stagnant growth prompt fears of a recessionary environment. And it is not just in the Eurozone where investors are worried, long-term yields have been falling around the world with some government bonds hitting their lowest levels in years.

Source: DailyFX, Thomson Reuters

When investors are concerned about the economy and equity markets they turn to government bonds because of their implied low risk. The purchase of bonds pushes bond prices higher which in turn leads to a fall in yields, the payment investors collect from their investment in bonds. Thus, falling bond yields can be seen as an indicator that a recessionary environment is coming, if not at least that investors concerns about the economic outlook are growing.

Eurozone Debt Crisis: How to Trade Future Disasters

Of a bigger concern is that the increase in demand for longer-term bonds has pushed longer-term yields below shorter-term yields. The current yield on a 10-year yield Treasury note yields stands at 2.16% whilst a 3-year yield Treasury note currently yields 2.37%. This is known as a yield curve inversion and is of a big concern to investors as they have preceded recessions in the past. In stable market conditions, investors would demand a higher yield on longer-term bonds as they seek for greater compensation for having their money tied up for longer periods of time.

Source: DailyFX, Thomson Reuters

Upcoming Central Bank meetings

Worsening economic conditions and continuing trade wars between China and the US have dampened the economic outlook of the economy and markets are now signalling that they expect at least two rate cuts by the beginning of next year, despite the Fed announcing last week that they wish to keep rates unchanged for the foreseeable future. The next FOMC meeting is due to take place on June 18-19, and despite markets not pricing in a rate cut in June, they expect the funds rate to be cut in September.

Across the pond, the ECB is expected to meet next Thursday June 6, with recent remarks from ECB Board member Olli Rehn suggesting a continued dovish stance on monetary policy. Inflation in the Eurozone is expected to miss its 2% target for the next two years as forecasts show 1.3% for 2019, 1.5% for 2020 and 1.6% for 2021. A recent survey of 100 economists carried out by Reuters revealed that the ECB has no prospects of increasing interest rates throughout 2020. It comes on the back of ECB officials signalling that the Central Bank is willing to keep interest rates negative for as long as needed to ensure that the Eurozone economy avoids a recession. Current rates remain at -0.40%.

Recommended Reading

Hawkish vs Dovish: How Monetary Policy Affects FX Trading – David Bradfield, Markets Writer

Eurozone Debt Crisis: How to Trade Future Disasters – Martin Essex, MSTA, Analyst and Editor

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--- Written by Daniela Sabin Hathorn, Junior Analyst