Weekly Market Update

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…

February PCE Signals Some Softening in Inflation From January The markets are closed today for Good Friday but that doesn’t mean the data flow stops. The February Personal Income and Spending Report was released this morning with the all-important PCE inflation series, the Fed’s preferred price measure.   February PCE inflation rose 0.3% (0.33% unrounded)…

The Range Trade Continues for Treasuries Treasuries are in the green this morning, but the trading remains rangebound as the lack of market-moving catalysts keep traders quiet as they await the long Easter weekend. The market does have to contend with more supply today as $43 billion in 7yr notes are auctioned, but yesterday’s strong…

Treasuries Trading Heavy as New Supply Looms Treasuries open the holiday-shortened week on the back step as additional coupon supply will be auctioned today, tomorrow, and Wednesday and that should keep any rally attempts on a short leash. Presently, the 10yr Treasury is yielding 4.24%, down 10/32nds in price while the 2yr note is yielding…