The Best Explanation of The Bond Market You're Ever Gonna Get12 Month US10Y Bollinger Bands between 2.5 and 2.9 Standard Deviations away from a moving average model greater than 4 years in length, preferably exponential. I haven't optimized this to perfection, but it's close enough to give you the basic idea.
The bond market is just a simple oscillator emerging from a complex system and simply does what every other very large and complex system does. It has a trend around which it travels but in decades and centuries not years. It isn't complicated, but it is extremely slow.
There are 2 phases and a 5,000 year long trend. It goes up. It goes down. Over the course of centuries it declines. In the down phase, it stays below trend and does the exact opposite in the opposite phase. A kindergartener can trade this thing.
Currently the phase is turning over from a down phase that lasted from 1980 to 2020, and entering into a new up phase that will most likely last for 3-4 decades.
Trading it: buy secondary market long duration government bonds at the bond yield 3 standard deviation line and sell at the trend. Repeat for the next 30-40 years. Easy peasy.
Rates
US10Y BazookaOn US presidential election day, as a Donald Trump victory began to look certain, US Treasury yields experienced a startling increase in the span of a few hours. Truly extraordinary.
But is this the start of a new trend or just an acceleration of the old trend? The US10Y was so far rejected at resistance it was preordained to test. Maybe nothing has changed and we go down from here?
US10Y Most Deviated in History. Except for the Great DepressionThe percent deviation from model of second order measurements is one of the most useful metrics for timing the Bond Market. Shown here is the percent deviation of the 30 period close Monthly RSI from its 60 Month Simple for the US 10 year Treasury Bond. The only time in history it has deviated this much was the Great Depression.
XAUUSD (GOLD) Reaching 3000$ this yearDear Traders,
Here's how gold could potentially reach $3000 (or rather, $3,000) by year-end if more rate cuts occur:
Lower Rates Mean Lower Yield on Alternatives: When central banks cut interest rates, bond yields often decrease, making non-yielding assets like gold more appealing as a store of value. Investors may shift toward gold, driving up demand and prices.
Weaker Dollar Effect: Rate cuts can lead to a weaker U.S. dollar. Since gold is priced in dollars, a weaker dollar often makes it cheaper for international investors, increasing demand and potentially boosting its price.
Economic Uncertainty and Inflation Hedge: With lower rates, there's a risk of rising inflation, as cheaper borrowing often fuels spending. Gold is seen as a traditional hedge against inflation, so as inflation expectations rise, investors may buy more gold to preserve their wealth.
Safe-Haven Demand: Rate cuts sometimes signal an economic slowdown or recession risks. In uncertain economic times, investors turn to safe-haven assets like gold, potentially pushing prices higher.
If the Fed moves toward significant rate cuts, each of these factors could align, creating strong demand for gold and possibly driving it closer to $3,000.
Greetings,
Zila
TLT (Debt Supply) Goes Up With Federal Borrowing (Debt Demand)Here's your edge: the TLT blasts off when Government borrowing blasts off, a simple case of supply and demand.
The Federal Government borrowed 2.2 Trillion USD in the last 12 months, data that has been added to Bloomberg Terminals but not here on Tradingview or on FRED. I bring you a piece of the cake, friends.
SOURCE: x.com
TLT +50% Every Time This Happens and It's Happening NowTLT/SPX Monthly RSI (8 Period Close)
It makes sense to analyze the most common institutional portfolio allocation (Equities and Bonds) rather than Equities or Bonds separately. Most investors focus on Fed Funds, unemployment, the business cycle, rates, to analyze the bond market. But those metrics are poorly correlated to returns at best. When you focus on allocation, as in Bonds plus Equities, you start making some progress. That's exactly what this chart represents; where the money is going and when. Hint: it's going into Bonds. Soon.
BBOT (Bonds Blast Off Time) is here
XSO and Interest cutsIt's easy to get caught up in all the hype around interest rate cuts and thinking of all the money that will start flowing back into smaller caps and risk assets in general. Taking a look back at the 3 previous periods of easing rates, we can see that this isn't necessarily the case.
This graph is overlaying US cash rates as I believe it's a bit of an early indicator, AUS cash rates will typically follow suit but potentially after markets have peaked. Whilst I do believe that low interest rates are good for small caps, it can clearly be a painful decline before the next leg up. These dips in the market do appear to be bottoming out quicker and quicker but this is mainly due to cash stimulation by the government, ultimately leading back to more inflation.
I don't rule out that this time could play out slightly differently, however it's also never bad to mitigate risk and have appropriate risk measures in place.
Interest Rate Strategies: Trade Smarter with Fed Rate DecisionsInterest Rate Strategies: Trade Smarter with Fed Rate Decisions
Trading interest rates may seem straightforward at first: buy when cuts end and sell when they fall. However, this approach often defies expectations, as determining when rate cuts truly end isn't as simple as pointing to a rate pause following a cut. While today’s Federal Reserve rate decisions are made during scheduled (and unscheduled emergency) Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meetings, this wasn’t always the case. Before the 1990s, the Fed often made changes outside of meetings. The shift to exclusively deciding rates during FOMC meetings was implemented to provide greater transparency and predictability for markets.
Topics Covered:
How Are Interest Rates Traded?
Three Interest Rate Trading Strategies.
Key Insights from Backtesting Interest Rate Trading Strategies.
Interest Rate Trading Indicator (Backtest For Yourself).
█ How Are Interest Rates Traded?
This strategy focuses on trading around Federal Reserve interest rate decisions, including hikes (increases), cuts (decreases), and pauses. These decisions are believed by many to have both short- and long-term effects on the market.
Key Strategy Concepts Backtested:
Buy on Rate Pauses or Increases: Go long (buy) when the Fed pauses or raises interest rates, typically signaling market stability or optimism.
Sell on Rate Decreases: Go short (sell) or close longs when the Fed cuts rates, often indicating economic concerns or slowing growth.
Buy on Specific Rate Decreases: Enter trades when the Fed implements specific rate cuts, such as 50 basis points (bps) which represents 0.5%, and analyze market reactions over different time horizons.
█ Strategy: Long during Pauses and Increases, Short during Decreases
This section examines the effectiveness of going long on rate pauses or increases and shorting during decreases. This strategy performed well between 2001 and 2009, but underperformed after 2009 and before 2001 compared to holding positions. The main challenge is the unpredictability of future rate changes. If you could foresee rate trends over two years, decision-making would be easier, but that’s rarely the case, making this strategy less reliable in certain periods.
2001-2009
Trade Result: 67.02%
Holding Result: -31.19%
2019-2021
Trade Result: 19.28%
Holding Result: 25.22%
1971-Present
Trade Result: 444.13%
Holding Result: 5694.12%
█ Strategy: Long 50bps Rate Cuts
This section evaluates trading around 50 basis point (bps) rate cuts, which is a 0.5% decrease. Large cuts usually respond to economic stress, and market reactions can vary. While these cuts signal aggressive economic stimulation by the Fed, short-term responses are often unpredictable. The strategy tends to perform better over longer timeframes, as markets absorb the effects.
1971-Present
Trade Duration: 10 trading days — Average Return: -0.19%
Trade Duration: 50 trading days — Average Return: 2.41%
Trade Duration: 100 trading days — Average Return: 2.46%
Trade Duration: 250 trading days — Average Return: 11.4%
2001-Present
Trade Duration: 10 trading days — Average Return: -2.12%
Trade Duration: 50 trading days — Average Return: -1.84%
Trade Duration: 100 trading days — Average Return: -3.72%
Trade Duration: 250 trading days — Average Return: 1.72%
2009-Present
Trade Duration: 10 trading days — Average Return: -15.79%
Trade Duration: 50 trading days — Average Return: -6.11%
Trade Duration: 100 trading days — Average Return: 7.07%
Trade Duration: 250 trading days — Average Return: 29.92%
█ Strategy: Long Any Rate Cuts
This section reviews the performance of buying after any rate cut, not just large ones. Rate cuts usually signal economic easing and often improve market conditions in the long run. However, the size of the cut and its context greatly influence how the market reacts over different timeframes.
1971-Present
Trade Duration: 10 trading days — Average Return: 0.33%
Trade Duration: 50 trading days — Average Return: 2.65%
Trade Duration: 100 trading days — Average Return: 4.38%
Trade Duration: 250 trading days — Average Return: 8.4%
2001-Present
Trade Duration: 10 trading days — Average Return: -1.12%
Trade Duration: 50 trading days — Average Return: -0.69%
Trade Duration: 100 trading days — Average Return: -1.59%
Trade Duration: 250 trading days — Average Return: 0.22%
2009-Present
Trade Duration: 10 trading days — Average Return: -3.38%
Trade Duration: 50 trading days — Average Return: 3.26%
Trade Duration: 100 trading days — Average Return: 12.55%
Trade Duration: 250 trading days — Average Return: 12.54%
█ Key Insights from Backtesting Interest Rate Trading Strategies
The first assumption I wanted to test was whether you should sell when rate cuts begin and buy when they end. The results were inconclusive, mainly due to the difficulty of predicting when rate cuts will stop. A rate pause might suggest cuts are over, but that’s often not the case, as shown below.
One key finding is that the best time to be fully invested is when rates fall below 1.25% or 1.00%, as this has historically led to stronger market performance. But this can be subject to change.
█ Interest Rate Trading Indicator (Backtest For Yourself)
Indicator Used For Backtesting (select chart below to open):
The 'Interest Rate Trading (Manually Added Rate Decisions) ' indicator analyzes U.S. interest rate decisions to determine trade entries and exits based on user-defined criteria, such as rate increases, decreases, pauses, aggressive changes, and more. It visually marks key decision dates, including both rate changes and pauses, offering valuable insights for trading based on interest rate trends. Historical time periods are highlighted for additional context. The indicator also allows users to compare the performance of an interest rate trading strategy versus a holding strategy.
Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates by 50 BPS, Crypto RalliesMarket Update - September 20th, 2024
Takeaways
The Federal Reserve cuts rates: The Federal Reserve announced Wednesday it will cut the federal benchmark interest rate by a half-percentage point (50 basis points), lowering the range to between 4.75% and 5%. Crypto markets responded well to the move, with the price of bitcoin pushing past $63,000.
US crypto legislation still possible this year: US senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) said in an interview Tuesday she thinks crypto legislation could be passed during the lame-duck session of Congress.
US spot bitcoin ETFs pull in $187 million in inflows: US spot bitcoin ETFs drew $187 million in inflows Tuesday, marking the fourth consecutive day of inflows after a significant drawdown.
Republicans ask for clarity on crypto airdrops: US representative Patrick McHenry (R-NC) and other top Republican lawmakers sent a letter to SEC chair Gary Gensler asking for clarity on crypto airdrops.
Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates by 50 BPS, Crypto Rallies
The Federal Reserve announced Wednesday it is lowering the benchmark federal funds rate by a half-percentage point (50 basis points) to between 4.75% and 5%. It marked the first interest rate cut in more than four years and signaled the Federal Reserve is ready to ease up on its fight against inflation.
The move marked the first time since 2008 the Federal Reserve had cut interest rates by 50 basis points at one meeting. Many analysts had expected a quarter-point percentage cut, but cooling inflation and a soft labor market allowed Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell to be more aggressive. In August, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a key inflation metric, dropped to 2.5% year-over-year, roughly hitting Powell’s 2% inflation target.
The long-anticipated move sparked the broader markets. And crypto prices also rallied, with bitcoin pushing to roughly $63,500 and ether increasing to roughly $2,350 respectively.
A low interest-rate environment is widely viewed as a greenshoot for risk assets including crypto, but it remains to be seen if a rate-cutting campaign will ultimately shoot bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to all-time highs.
🌐 Topic of the week: Global Stablecoin Ecosystem
🫱 Read more here
Fed's Bold Rate Cut Raises Stakes for BoE and BoJ Both the Bank of England (BoE) and Bank of Japan (BoJ) are not expected to cut interest rates at their respective meetings today and tomorrow.
The US Federal Reserve just chose to cut its own rate by 50 basis points. So, how might the BoE and BoJ decisions be affected?
Bank of America projects the BoE will leave its Bank Rate at 5.0%, with the pound potentially gaining. However, gains could be capped if policymakers lean dovish. Additionally, a currency strategy note from HSBC says that the sharp appreciation of the British pound against the U.S. dollar may be nearing its limits.
Masamichi Adachi, chief Japan economist at UBS Securities, cautioned that if the BoJ raises rates Friday, just days after the Fed's rate cut, “markets would likely face increased turbulence.”
Rate Cut Incoming. Buckle Up"What the Yield Curve and Fed Moves Mean for Your Next Trade."
Historically, when the Federal Reserve lowers the federal funds rate while the yield spread is negative (also known as an inverted yield curve), it has often been an indicator of an impending market correction or recession.
Let’s break this down:
Historically, the bond market is a key indicator. Typically, long-term bonds offer higher yields than short-term bonds; This a healthy sign. When that flips and short-term yields surpass long-term ones, we get what’s called an inverted yield curve. This inversion signals that investors are getting nervous about the near-term economy. When the Fed then steps in to lower rates, they’re trying to stimulate growth, but it often comes too late.
Looking back at past events:
The dot-com crash of 2000: The yield curve inverted, the Fed cut rates, and a 35% market correction followed.
The 2008 financial crisis: Again, the yield curve inverted, rates were cut, and the market saw a major downturn exceeding 50%.
Going back even further, the same pattern held in the 1970s and 1980s.
The big questions are:
Why does this combination signal trouble?
Will this pattern repeat itself again?
While history tends to repeat itself, the data shows that when the Fed cuts rates with a negative yield spread, market corrections often follow. The inverted curve suggests tighter credit conditions, reduced lending, and lack of confidence, all piling on top of one another creating a recipe for disaster.
Stepping back even further, we see that investor sentiment and the bond market tend to lead the way. Credit tightens, and companies cut back on spending. Another a perfect recipe for an economic slowdown and market drop.
It's a familiar cycle. So lets buckle up.
SPX direction after first and last FED rate cutsThis chart compares FED rate cuts to SPX chart.
The last 3 times after the first rate cuts there was a slight upward rally of the SP500 of about 5-10%, before going on a bearish retrace of about -40%, -50% & -20%, and then bottoming out only AFTER the final rate cut.
Based on this, if history repeats, there might be a year end upward movement in the stock market, perhaps followed by a retrace through 2025 until the final rate cut. And then massively up from there again.
The last 3 times rate cuts did not mean sp500 starts going up immediately. There was a retrace instead. SP500 went up only AFTER the final rate cut.
Lower rates means Silver to 40?The US dollar is trending lower.
Rates are expected to be lowered.
Unemployment number rising.
Presidential election has candidates talking about give aways.
War is still happening.
China is in deflation.
Banks are seeing credit card delinquency's rise.
There are 2 "technical" patterns implying a 40 ish silver price if we continue to break out. And remember all times highs are at 50 ish.
The recent weeks price action is encouraging and is implying breakout higher.
twitter/x is full of "silver squeeze" chatter again. good to see the buzz start up again.
Be safe.
TLT + Rate CutsTLT bullish trend into 100 resistance with major Fed decisions coming in the next weeks/months. Has a gap to fill on the way to highest pt
Pts are 98.30, 98.70, and 100+
- Shifted narrative from inflation to labor market
- Data suggests Fed is very behind the curve
- Jackson Hole
- FOMC
Bitcoin's Eternal Wait for Rate Cuts ContinuesThe current market setup can be described as 'Waiting for Godot'. But in contrast to the Samuel Beckett play, markets are awaiting the Federal Reserve to finally start cutting interest rates. And hopefully, also unlike in the actual play, the wait will not be eternal.
Over the past week, market sentiment dropped even further. Jitters about the slowing US economy and rumours, later denied by the company, of a subpoena by the Department of Justice issued to AI stock darling Nvidia over antitrust matter led traditional markets downwards. Crypto markets quickly followed suit. Bitcoin has foreshadowed the slow slide downwards of the wider crypto market.
Ever since Bitcoin lost its parabolic momentum earlier in the year, it has trended down, first towards the $60k support. Once Bitcoin breached through the $60k level, and in the absence of any new positive momentum, we are now looking at the $50k price mark. Optimism right now is hard to come by for most traders.
The upcoming US jobs report for August has created further expectations of possible doom and gloom. Economists expect that the August jobs report will show that the labor market is cooling, but not dramatically. Consensus estimates are for a net gain of 160,000 jobs, which would be an increase over July’s estimated 114,000 gain according to FactSet estimates.
The outcome of the August jobs report will be an important driver for the extent to which the Federal Reserve will cut rates. The decision is both critical and difficult. Cut rates too much and markets could start raising inflation expectations. Do not cut them enough and the economy could weaken further as businesses reel from high rates on their debt. Whatever they do, the impact of lower rates will take time to show effects. In the meantime, markets can continue to struggle.
A final unknown variable in this setup are the upcoming US elections. It is likely that weaker economic performance will hurt the chances of the incumbent administration. Crypto markets clearly favour a Trump presidency due to his recently discovered pro-crypto stance. Not even the best analysts can predict the full extent of the the 2nd and 3rd order impacts of a weakening economy, possible rate cuts and a US election that is on knife's edge. Markets hate uncertainty. Unfortunately there seems to be plenty more of it to come before traders can finally start to look upwards once more.