Weekly Market Update

Meeting Highlights  As expected, the Fed kept the funds rate range unchanged at 5.25% – 5.50% and Powell’s comments were less hawkish than was expected, but there was disappointment expressed regarding the inflation news so far in 2024. This was acknowledged in the statement with this new addition: “In recent months, there has been a…

FOMC is the Main Entrée, but Plenty of Hors D’oeuvres Await Investors Treasuries are trading in the green this morning, but that’s all subject to what the FOMC statement and press conference provide. While the expectation is for a hawkish Powell and QT tapering information, there is always the risk something unexpected is said, although…

Investors Brace for FOMC and April Jobs Report Treasuries are trading in the green this morning, perhaps in recognition that Japanese officials apparently took advantage of a light volume Monday holiday to intervene in the currency market to defend then yen. It declined to 160yen/dollar overnight, then quickly improved to the low 150’s signaling the…

Inflation Progress Appears Stalled in 2024 Treasuries are breathing a sigh of relief as the March PCE inflation figures came in close to expectations, and generally in line with February, so the fear of a hot print wasn’t realized. We talk more about today’s numbers below but suffice it to say they show inflation progress…

Market Awaits, GDP, PCE, and Record 5-Year Auction Treasuries are trading weak today as the market awaits more consequential reports tomorrow and Friday in the form of first quarter GDP and March PCE. Also, the Treasury will be auctioning a record $70 billion in five-year notes today, which should keep Treasuries on the back foot…

Geo-Political Risk has Entered the Chat Again Hawkish Fed speak and military attacks have provided a host of cross-currents for the market to deal with this week. The risk-off tone that followed initial reports of Israeli strikes in Iran were eventually reversed as the attack was termed limited in scope, and the lack of follow-through…

Examining Bond Portfolio Trends: First Quarter 2024 Background Beginning in May 2012, we started tracking  portfolio trends of our bond accounting customers here at SouthState|DuncanWilliams.  At present, we account for over 130 client portfolios with a combined book value of $14.2 billion (not including SouthState Bank’s portfolio), or $107 million on average per portfolio.  Twelve…

Powell Admits the Obvious Treasury yields are finally retreating a bit, perhaps taking a breather from the recent run higher.  It could also be that with Fed Chair Powell admitting the obvious, that inflation trends haven’t been what they were hoping for this year, traders are taking some profits with that admission and awaiting the…

Geopolitical Risk Comes off the Boil, for Now With the worse-case scenario in the Israel/Iran conflict not happening over the weekend, Treasuries are under early pressure and the strong retail sales numbers for March (more on that below) are contributing to the selling pressure. Of course, the last chapter in the Israel/Iran issue is a…

Geopolitical Risk Overrides Inflation Concerns For Now Increased geopolitical risk is providing a reprieve to higher yields this morning as flight-to-safety trades are the flavor of the day as the weekend looms. This may be just a brief respite, however, before inflation angst returns  (more on that below). Currently, the 10yr is yielding 4.49%, down…

Well, That Escalated Quickly Another hot inflation report in 2024 has Treasury yields moving to new year-to-date highs as thoughts of a June rate cut, and multiple 2024 cuts, get dialed way back. We delve deeper into the CPI numbers below and while we could wave off some of the worst, it will still present…

Inflation Week Opens and Substantial Improvement Appears Daunting With the worst of geopolitical fears not being realized over the weekend, Treasuries find themselves on the back foot as trading opens for the week that will be headlined by the March CPI numbers on Wednesday. Currently, the 10yr is yielding 4.43%, down 6/32nds in price while…