GLOBAL BOND MARKETS
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Bonds as related to other asset classes
Bond prices and yields often drive price movements in currencies and other asset classes. In this section, we aim to explain how these movements are analyzed and traded by our dedicated contributors and in-house analysts.
A bond yield is the return an investor gets on a bond. Contrary to many other assets, bond prices and bond yields are inversely related. When the price of a bond increases, the yield decreases. When the price of a bond decreases, the yield increases. Thus, a so-called rally in the bond market means that yields decreased, while a bond sell-off means that yields increased.
It is important to know the underlying dynamic of why a bond's yield is rising or falling. This movement can be based on interest rate expectations or market sentiment, such as uncertainty, which triggers a ‘flight to safety’ to bonds, traditionally considered less risky compared to stocks.
The change in interest rates, either the target rate or market rates, is important because it makes stocks or bonds become more attractive. When this happens, prices tend to trend as money flows from one vehicle to the other until the new relationship is adequately reflected in prices.
Bonds and stocks are in constant competition for investor money, and less so commodities. These, particularly Gold, usually trend in the opposite direction of bond prices (falling commodity prices usually lead to higher bond prices, and vice versa). Therefore, commodities generally trend in the same direction as interest rates.
US Treasuries
If you trade USD-based or USD-quoted currency pairs, it is crucial to monitor the United States (US) bond market, as movements in Treasury yields impact the US Dollar. Treasury yields’ movements are often driven by comments from Federal Reserve (Fed) officials, so staying updated on news coming from US monetary authorities is essential. US stocks usually get a boost from rising bond prices (falling Treasury yields), especially in inflationary periods. But if they don't, then it's worth looking for market sentiment and identifying reasons for the cautious stance in bond markets. US stock prices can also rise alongside falling bond prices (rising Treasury yields) during deflationary periods. In such cases, both stock prices and interest rates rise, driving global demand for the US Dollar.
UK Gilts
Global bond prices tend to move in synchrony, but occasionally, a country's bond market may experience sharper movements compared to others. Sometimes this volatility is related to currency fluctuations. The Gilt, the 10-year benchmark in the United Kingdom (UK) fixed-income market, typically has a positive correlation to the Pound Sterling (GBP). A decoupling between these markets can serve as an early alert that an intermarket relationship has shifted. Changes in foreign exchange prices can overwhelm relative return calculations for international investors buying Gilts. Stripping out the currency component, UK Gilts should still provide returns to investors. Otherwise, other bond markets such as US Treasuries, may become attractive. Additionally, a prolonged trend in rising energy prices is a factor to consider as it will affect inflation expectations and therefore the Bank of England's (BOE) monetary policy.
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Editors' picks
EUR/USD holds firm above 1.1750 as risk flows dominate
EUR/USD stays firm above 1.1760 in European trading hours on Wednesday, bolstered by improved risk sentiment, which dents the US Dollar's safe-haven appeal. Confidence returned on headlines indicating the United States and Iran are moving towards a deal to end the conflict. The deal would involve both sides lifting restrictions on transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
GBP/USD scales higher as USD weakens amid renewed US-Iran peace deal hopes
The GBP/USD pair attracts buyers for the second consecutive day on Wednesday and moves away from the weekly low, around the 1.3515-1.3510 area, which was touched the previous day. The optimism over a potential US-Iran peace deal undermines the safe-haven US Dollar and lifts spot prices to the 1.3580 region during the Asian session.
USD/JPY off lows, still down 1% on likely 'Yentervention'
USD/JPY is off ten-week lows but remains heavy near 156.00 in early Europe on Wednesday. Markets speculate another round of FX intervention by Japan's authorities behind the latest leg up in the Japanese Yen, keeping the bearish pressure intact on the currency pair.
Gold continues scaling higher; retakes $4,700 amid peace deal hopes
Gold extends its intraday ascent and climbs to an over one-week high, re-attempting $4,700 in Wednesday's European session. The US Dollar weakens across the board amid optimism over a potential US-Iran peace deal, helping the commodity to build on its recovery from a more than one-month trough, around the $4,500 mark set on Monday.
WTI Crude Oil tumbles as prospective US–Iran accord eases Strait of Hormuz fears
West Texas Intermediate US Oil falls sharply on Wednesday and trades around $91.00 posting an 8.91% daily decline, as markets rapidly reassess geopolitical risks in the Middle East following reports from Axios suggesting major progress between the United States and Iran.