US Treasuries are the world's benchmark risk-free asset, backed by the largest and deepest sovereign bond market. Their yields set the global cost of capital. The 2-year yield is the point most sensitive to central-bank policy, reflecting the market's expectation for where the policy rate is heading over the next couple of years.
Strong Data and Oil Keep 2-Year Yield Near 4.8%, Fed Hold Bets Grow
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Strong economic data pushes 2-year yield to multi-decade highs Durable goods orders beat forecasts, with business spending surging, while the 2-year yield hit 4.906% and the 30-year reached a 24-year high. Strong data supports the case for the Fed to keep rates high, pushing the 2-year yield up.
This point explains how robust economic data directly lifted the 2-year yield to multi-decade highs.
Cooler PCE inflation pulls 2-year yield down to 4.827% August PCE inflation came in below expectations, easing fears of more Fed hikes. Investors now see a 62.9% chance the Fed holds rates in October, up from 49.1%. The 2-year yield fell to 4.827% as lower expected short-term rates push bond prices up.
This point shows how softer inflation data reduced rate-hike odds and pulled the 2-year yield lower.
Oil slump and weak services data boost Fed hold bets, 2-year yield falls to 4.787% A sharp drop in oil prices and a weaker ISM services index raised the odds of a Fed hold in October to 78.4%, up from 29.1% a week earlier. The 2-year yield fell to 4.787% as investors scaled back rate-hike expectations.
This point highlights how falling oil and soft services data lowered rate-hike expectations, pulling the 2-year yield down.
Oil supply fears and Fed minutes revive hike bets, 2-year yield back to 4.818% Concerns over oil supply from the Iran conflict pushed oil higher, reviving inflation worries. The Fed's September minutes showed officials divided, but markets still price an 85% chance of a December hike. The 2-year yield rose to 4.818% as rate-hike bets grew.
This point explains how geopolitical oil supply fears and Fed minutes renewed rate-hike expectations, lifting the 2-year yield.
Dollar Strengthens as Bond Yields Surge, Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow for This Year
The U.S. dollar strengthened against major currencies in trading at the New York foreign exchange market after U.S. Treasury yields surged to their highest levels in decades, supported by expectations that the Fed will raise interest rates again this year. The dollar index rose 0.4% to 102.242, while the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note jumped to 5.350%, the highest level since 2002. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond climbed to 5.724%, a 24-year high, and the 2-year Treasury yield rose to 4.818%. Concerns over supply disruptions from the war with Iran pushed oil prices higher, reviving inflation worries and increasing the odds that central banks will extend their rate-hiking cycles, which triggered a global bond selloff. The minutes of the Fed's September meeting showed that officials were divided over the rationale for a 0.25% rate increase. The CME Group's FedWatch Tool indicated that investors priced in only a 17.2% chance of a Fed rate hike at the October meeting, down from 37.6% a week earlier, but assigned an 85% probability to a Fed rate hike at the December meeting.
Gold falls close to breaking below $4,100 as US bond yields hit 24-year high
Gold prices fell close to breaking below the $4,100 level today, pressured by a stronger dollar and a rebound in US government bond yields. As of 10:33 p.m. Thailand time, spot gold was down $54.31, or 1.45%, at $4,106.37 an ounce, while COMEX December gold futures fell $60.70, or 1.45%, to $4,126.40 an ounce. The yield on the 30-year US Treasury bond jumped to 5.724%, its highest level in 24 years. The 10-year yield rose to 5.350%, its highest since 2002, and the 2-year yield climbed to 4.818%. Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, said that even if conflict in the Persian Gulf region ends soon, energy prices are likely to remain elevated for some time. Meanwhile, investors are watching for the minutes of the Federal Reserve's latest monetary policy meeting, held in September, at which the Fed raised interest rates for the first time since 2023.
GOLD · Monetary · Negative Gold fell 1.45% toward $4,100, pressured by a stronger dollar and rebounding US bond yields.
US-10Y.GB · Monetary · Positive The 10-year Treasury yield rose to 5.350%, its highest since 2002, as yields rebounded.
US-30Y.GB · Monetary · Positive The 30-year US Treasury yield jumped to 5.724%, a 24-year high.
US-2Y.GB · Monetary · Positive The 2-year Treasury yield climbed to 4.818% amid the bond-yield rebound.
EFFR.MM · Monetary · Positive Fed raised rates for the first time since 2023 and bond yields hit multi-decade highs, implying a higher effective federal funds rate.
US 30-Year Bond Yield Jumps to 5.724%, Highest in 24 Years, Ahead of Auction
US Treasury yields climbed today, with the 30-year bond yield, which often responds to geopolitical risk, hitting 5.724%, its highest in 24 years. The 10-year yield, the main benchmark for mortgages, auto loans and credit card debt, rose to 5.350%, its highest since 2002, while the 2-year yield, which tends to track the Fed's policy rate decisions, stood at 4.818%. The US Treasury is due to auction 39 billion dollars of 10-year notes today, the second of three auctions this week, after auctioning 58 billion dollars of 3-year notes yesterday, and is scheduled to auction 22 billion dollars of 30-year bonds on Thursday. Investors are also watching the minutes of the Fed's latest monetary policy meeting in September, which marked the first rate hike since 2023, to gauge policymakers' views on the economy.
Dollar Weakens, Oil Slumps, Dragging US Bond Yields Sharply Lower as Investors Boost Bets on Fed Holding Rates
The dollar index fell 0.28% to 101.88 and was on track for its largest daily decline since September 25. As of 11:34 p.m. Thailand time, the dollar was down 0.30% at 1.126 against the euro and up 0.16% at 158.15 yen. The dollar's weakness came in line with US government bond yields pulling back from multi-decade highs after crude oil prices in global markets tumbled, with Brent crude falling below 99 dollars per barrel and West Texas crude dropping below 89 dollars per barrel. The declines followed reports of increased oil exports from the Middle East as well as releases of oil from strategic reserves by the G7 group. The yield on the 30-year US Treasury note fell to 5.625% after earlier surging to its highest level since May 2002, while the 10-year yield dropped to 5.256% after hitting its highest since April 2002 on Monday, and the 2-year yield declined to 4.787%. Investors increased their bets that the Federal Reserve will hold interest rates steady at its October meeting after the US Institute for Supply Management reported that its services index fell to 54.9 in September, below analysts' forecast of 55.2 and down from 55.4 in August. The latest CME Group FedWatch Tool indicated that investors now assign a 78.4% probability to the Fed holding rates at 3.75-4.00% at its October meeting, up from just 29.1% a week earlier, and a 21.6% probability to a 0.25% rate hike to 4.00-4.25%, down from as much as 70.9% a week earlier. Meanwhile, investors are watching for the minutes of the Fed's September monetary policy meeting, due for release on Wednesday, as well as remarks from Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh, who will attend the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings 2026 in Bangkok from October 12-18. Warsh is scheduled to appear on stage with International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Friday, October 16, from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. in a session titled "Managing Director's Fireside Chat with Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh." The appearance is considered significant because October 17 marks the start of the Fed's blackout period on public comments about monetary policy ahead of the FOMC meeting on October 27-28.
EFFR.MM · Monetary · Negative Investors boosted bets the Fed will hold rates steady at the October meeting, implying no hike and a lower expected policy rate path.
US-10Y.GB · Monetary · Negative 10-year Treasury yield dropped to 5.256% as Fed rate-hold bets rose and oil slumped.
US-2Y.GB · Monetary · Negative 2-year Treasury yield declined to 4.787% on increased expectations the Fed holds rates steady.
US-30Y.GB · Monetary · Negative 30-year Treasury yield fell to 5.625% as investors raised bets on the Fed holding rates.
Dollar Weakens After US Reports September Nonfarm Payrolls Rose Only 29,000
The dollar weakened against major currencies, in line with the decline in US government bond yields, after the US reported sluggish employment figures, which will support the Federal Reserve in holding interest rates steady at this month's monetary policy meeting. At 9:38 pm Thailand time, the dollar index, which measures the dollar's movement against six major currencies in a basket, fell 0.38% to 101.71, while the dollar weakened 0.34% to 1.128 against the euro and dropped 0.36% to 157.51 yen. The US Labor Department reported that nonfarm payrolls rose by only 29,000 in September, below analysts' forecast of 89,000. The unemployment rate rose to 4.2%, while analysts had expected it to hold steady at 4.1%. The Labor Department also revised August payrolls to an increase of 133,000 from a previously reported gain of 162,000. The private sector added 46,000 jobs in September, while government employment fell by 17,000. Meanwhile, average hourly earnings rose 3.0% in September from a year earlier, below analysts' forecast of 3.2%, and edged up 0.1% month on month, below the expected 0.3%. The yield on 30-year US government bonds fell to 5.570% after earlier surging to its highest level since 2002, while the 10-year yield fell to 5.180% after hitting its highest since 2002 this week, and the 2-year yield fell to 4.730%. Investors increased their bets that the Fed will hold rates steady at its October meeting following the sluggish employment data, having previously expected a rate hike this month. The latest FedWatch Tool from CME Group indicates that investors assign an 83.9% probability to the Fed holding rates at 3.75-4.00% at the October meeting, up from just 35.8% a week earlier. In addition, investors assign a 16.1% probability to the Fed raising rates by 0.25% to 4.00-4.25% at the October meeting, down from as much as 64.2% a week earlier.
EFFR.MM · Monetary · Negative Sluggish September payrolls (+29k) and rising unemployment boost odds the Fed holds rates steady, implying no hike and downward pressure on the effective fed funds rate.
US-10Y.GB · Monetary · Negative Weak jobs data and increased bets on the Fed holding rates steady pushed the 10-year Treasury yield down to 5.180%.
US-2Y.GB · Monetary · Negative Dovish repricing after the weak payrolls report drove the 2-year Treasury yield down to 4.730%.
US-30Y.GB · Monetary · Negative The 30-year Treasury yield fell to 5.570% as weak employment data supported the Fed holding rates steady.
Dow Jumps More Than 400 Points as Bond Yields Fall on Weak Jobs Data
The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged more than 400 points today, buoyed by a decline in U.S. Treasury yields after the release of lackluster employment figures, which is expected to support the Federal Reserve in holding interest rates steady at this month's monetary policy meeting. As of 8:48 p.m. Thailand time, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 453.47 points, or 0.89%, at 51,380.03. The U.S. Labor Department reported that nonfarm payrolls rose by only 29,000 in September, below analysts' forecast of 89,000, while the unemployment rate rose to 4.2%. The Labor Department also revised August payrolls to an increase of 133,000 from the previously reported gain of 162,000. The yield on the 30-year U.S. Treasury bond fell to 5.570% after earlier surging to its highest level since 2002. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 5.180%, and the 2-year yield fell to 4.730%. Most recently, the CME Group's FedWatch Tool indicated that investors now assign an 83.9% probability to the Fed holding rates at 3.75-4.00% at its October meeting, up from just 35.8% a week ago.
US bond yields fall as investors bet Fed will hold rates in October after weak jobs data
US government bond yields fell today after the release of weak employment figures, which would support the Federal Reserve in holding interest rates steady at this month's monetary policy meeting. The yield on the 30-year US Treasury note dropped to 5.570% after earlier surging to its highest level since 2002. The yield on the 10-year US Treasury note, the main benchmark for setting interest rates on mortgages, auto loans and credit card debt, fell to 5.180% after climbing this week to its highest level since 2002. The 2-year yield, which often moves in line with the Fed's policy rate decisions, fell to 4.730%. Investors sharply increased their bets that the Fed will hold rates at its October meeting following the weak jobs data, having previously expected a rate hike this month. The latest CME Group FedWatch Tool shows investors pricing an 83.9% probability that the Fed will keep rates at 3.75-4.00% at the October meeting, up from just 35.8% a week ago, and a 16.1% probability that the Fed will raise rates by 0.25% to 4.00-4.25%, down from as much as 64.2% a week ago. The US Labor Department reported that nonfarm payrolls rose by only 29,000 in September, below analysts' forecast of 89,000. The unemployment rate rose to 4.2%, while analysts had expected it to hold steady at 4.1%. The Labor Department also revised August payrolls to an increase of 133,000 from a previously reported gain of 162,000. Private-sector employment rose by 46,000 in September, while government employment fell by 17,000. Average hourly earnings rose 3.0% in September from a year earlier, below analysts' forecast of 3.2%, and edged up 0.1% from the previous month, below the expected 0.3%. The US labor force participation rate, which shows the share of the population in the workforce, stood at 61.8%.
EFFR.MM · Monetary · Negative Weak jobs data sharply raised bets the Fed will hold rates at the October meeting, lowering the expected policy rate path.
US-10Y.GB · Monetary · Negative 10-year Treasury yield fell to 5.180% as weak employment figures boosted expectations the Fed will hold rates steady.
US-2Y.GB · Monetary · Negative 2-year yield, which tracks Fed policy expectations, fell to 4.730% on increased odds of a rate hold.
US-30Y.GB · Monetary · Negative 30-year Treasury yield dropped to 5.570% after weak jobs data supported holding rates steady.
U.S. Stock Futures Rise as Jobless Claims Stay Historically Low
U.S. stock futures opened October in the green, with the Dow up 179 points, the Nasdaq up 169 and the S&P 500 up 32 points, helped by Brent crude holding at $100 per barrel and WTI near $90 per barrel. Bond yields continued to climb, with the 10-year at 5.285%, the 2-year at 4.858% and the 30-year at 5.637%, keeping mortgage rates elevated. Initial jobless claims came in at 197K last week, down 3K from expectations and 1K from the upwardly revised prior week, marking the third-straight sub-100K jobless claims report. Continuing claims reached a new near-term low of 1.701 million, down 11K month over month and below the downwardly revised 1.712 million from the previous week, remaining near 60-year lows for a third straight week. Later this morning, September Manufacturing PMI is expected to rise 3.1% on the S&P print and 0.3 points for ISM, while August Construction Spending is expected to rebound 0.1% after a 0.5% decline a month ago.
Asia Plus says SETBANK down 4.3% over one month, recommends accumulating KTB and KBANK
Asia Plus Securities stated that although the US PCE figure for August came in at 3.4% year-on-year, below market expectations, US 2-year and 10-year bond yields remain elevated at 4.89% and 5.28%, creating volatility for bank stocks in many countries. In the one month since Jackson Hole, the MSCI ACWI Banks index has fallen 3.4%, compared with a 1.3% decline in the MSCI ACWI, while the SETBANK index has continued to slide over the past two days, bringing its one-month loss to 4.3%, led by KKP down 6%, followed by KTB down 5.7% and KBANK down 5.6%, against a 1.9% decline in the SET. On the flood situation as of September 29, the Ministry of Industry reported that 40 provinces have been affected and that 204 SME operators have joined the debt-payment suspension programme, representing debt of about 769 million baht, a proportion that is not high compared with the 14 trillion baht in loans held by the eight banks. The research team estimates that every 0.25% increase in the risk-free rate above its assumption would reduce fair value by 4%, and views the correction in bank stocks as having already priced in some of the pressure from bond yields. It recommends gradually accumulating banks whose prices have fallen more than average over the past month, such as KTB, which has a fair value of 48 baht, followed by KBANK, which has a fair value of 259 baht and a PBV that has dropped to 0.9 times, compared with the sector average of 1.1 times.
KBANK.BK · Capital · Positive Asia Plus recommends gradually accumulating KBANK, noting its PBV has dropped to 0.9x versus the 1.1x sector average, with fair value 259 baht.
KTB.BK · Capital · Positive Asia Plus recommends accumulating KTB, which fell 5.7% over the past month, with a fair value of 48 baht.
US-10Y.GB · Monetary · Positive The article notes the US 10-year bond yield remains elevated at 5.28%, and every 0.25% rise above assumptions cuts bank fair value by 4%.
US-2Y.GB · Monetary · Positive The article notes the US 2-year bond yield remains elevated at 4.89%, driving volatility in bank stocks.
KKP.BK · Monetary · Negative KKP led the SETBANK decline, down 6% over the past month, as elevated US bond yields pressured bank stocks.
Gold Rebounds After Lower-Than-Expected PCE, Boosting Odds Fed Holds Rates in October
Gold prices rebounded today after the release of a lower-than-expected Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, easing investor concerns about inflation and interest rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve. As of 11:10 p.m. Thailand time, spot gold was up 9.29 dollars, or 0.22%, at 4,157.81 dollars per ounce, while COMEX gold futures for December delivery rose 7.90 dollars, or 0.19%, to 4,187.60 dollars per ounce. The market also drew support from a weaker dollar and declining US government bond yields, with the 30-year yield falling to 5.578% after surging yesterday to its highest level since 2002, the 10-year yield dropping to 5.217% after hitting its highest since 2007 yesterday, and the 2-year yield easing to 4.827%. The latest CME Group FedWatch Tool shows investors now assign a 62.9% probability to the Fed holding rates at 3.75-4.00% at its October meeting, up from just 49.1% yesterday, and a 37.1% probability to a 0.25% rate hike to 4.00-4.25%, down from 50.9% yesterday. The US Commerce Department reported that the headline PCE index, which includes food and energy, rose 3.4% year-on-year in August, below analysts' forecast of 3.7%, and was up 0.3% month-on-month, below the expected 0.4%. The core PCE index, which excludes food and energy, rose 3.0% year-on-year, below the forecast of 3.3%, and was up 0.2% month-on-month, below the expected 0.3%.
Dollar Weakens, Bond Yields Fall After PCE Comes in Below Expectations, Boosting Odds Fed Holds Rates in October
The dollar weakened against major currencies today, in line with the decline in US government bond yields, after the release of the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index came in below expectations, easing investors' concerns about inflation and interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. As of 10:01 p.m. Thailand time, the dollar index was down 0.14% at 101.234, while the dollar weakened 0.16% to 1.136 against the euro and fell 0.14% to 157.05 yen. The yield on 30-year US government bonds fell to 5.578% after surging yesterday to its highest level since 2002, while the 10-year yield fell to 5.217% after surging yesterday to its highest level since 2007, and the 2-year yield fell to 4.827%. The US Commerce Department reported that the headline PCE index rose 3.4% in August year on year, below analysts' forecast of 3.7%, and rose 0.3% month on month, below the expected 0.4%. The core PCE index rose 3.0% year on year, below the expected 3.3%, and rose 0.2% month on month, below the expected 0.3%. Most recently, the FedWatch Tool from CME Group indicated that investors assigned a 62.9% probability to the Fed holding interest rates at 3.75-4.00% at its October meeting, up from only 49.1% yesterday, and a 37.1% probability to the Fed raising rates by 0.25% to 4.00-4.25%, down from as much as 50.9% yesterday.
Dow gains 50.06 points after PCE comes in below expectations, supporting Fed rate hold in October
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 50.06 points, or 0.10%, to 51,399.98, supported by a decline in U.S. Treasury yields after the release of the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index came in below expectations, easing investors' concerns about inflation and interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. The latest CME Group FedWatch Tool indicates that investors now assign a 62.9% probability to the Fed holding rates at 3.75-4.00% at its October meeting, up from 49.1% yesterday, while the probability of a 0.25% hike to 4.00-4.25% fell to 37.1% from 50.9% yesterday. The U.S. Commerce Department reported that the headline PCE index rose 3.4% year-on-year in August, below the expected 3.7%, and rose 0.3% month-on-month, below the expected 0.4%. The core PCE index rose 3.0% year-on-year, below the expected 3.3%, and rose 0.2% month-on-month, below the expected 0.3%. Meanwhile, the yield on 30-year U.S. Treasury bonds fell to 5.578% after surging yesterday to its highest level since 2002, while the 10-year yield fell to 5.217% after hitting its highest since 2007 yesterday, and the 2-year yield fell to 4.827%.
US bond yields fall after PCE index comes in below expectations; investors raise bets Fed will hold rates in October
US Treasury yields fell today after the Commerce Department reported that the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index for August came in below expectations, easing investors' concerns about inflation and interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. The headline PCE index rose 3.4% year-on-year, below analysts' forecast of 3.7%, and rose 0.3% month-on-month, below the expected 0.4%. The core PCE index, which excludes food and energy, rose 3.0% year-on-year, below the expected 3.3%, and rose 0.2% month-on-month, below the expected 0.3%. The yield on the 30-year US Treasury note fell to 5.578% after surging yesterday to its highest level since 2002. The 10-year yield, the main benchmark for mortgages, auto loans and credit card debt, fell to 5.217% after surging yesterday to its highest level since 2007. The 2-year yield fell to 4.827%. The latest CME Group FedWatch Tool indicates that investors now assign a 62.9% probability to the Fed holding rates at 3.75-4.00% at its October meeting, up from 49.1% yesterday, and a 37.1% probability to a 0.25% rate hike to 4.00-4.25%, down from 50.9% yesterday.
US 30-year bond yield surges past 5.61%, highest in 24 years
The yield on the 30-year US Treasury bond climbed to its highest level since 2002, breaking through 5.61% on Tuesday, September 29, rising for a sixth consecutive day amid intensifying selling pressure in global bond markets worth roughly 32 trillion dollars, driven by inflation concerns, elevated oil prices, and a heavy volume of corporate debt issuance. Michael Cloherty, head of US rates strategy at CIBC Capital Markets, said that while long-term bond yields look attractive in value terms compared with past levels, the market has yet to see clear large-scale buying step in to support them. Part of the inflation pressure stems from high oil prices caused by the war in the Middle East, prompting investors to increase bets that several central banks, including the Fed, may need to raise interest rates further. However, those expectations eased somewhat after John Williams, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, said another increase in the target rate range may be appropriate late this year, sending the 2-year US Treasury yield down by as much as 0.05% before moving around 4.89%, while the 10-year yield stood at about 5.25%, near its highest since 2007, and US Treasuries have returned a total of negative 2.6% since the start of this year, compared with a gain of 6.3% last year. Pressure is also coming from a wave of corporate bond issuance, with Paramount Skydance Corp. beginning to offer investment-grade notes as a key part of a 52 billion dollar financing package for its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery; the company plans to raise about 32 billion dollars through bond sales, and Monty Gandhi, a rates strategist at SMBC, said the offering ranks as the fifth-largest investment-grade bond deal ever.
US-30Y.GB · Monetary · Positive 30-year Treasury yield broke through 5.61%, its highest in 24 years, on a sixth straight day of selling driven by inflation worries, oil prices, and corporate debt issuance.
US-10Y.GB · Monetary · Positive 10-year Treasury yield stood near 5.25%, its highest since 2007, amid inflation concerns, elevated oil prices, and heavy corporate issuance.
US-2Y.GB · Monetary · Negative 2-year Treasury yield fell as much as 0.05% to around 4.89% after NY Fed's Williams said another rate hike may be appropriate late this year.
PSKY · Capital · Negative Paramount Skydance is issuing investment-grade notes as part of a $52B financing package, adding to the corporate debt supply pressuring yields and raising its own borrowing costs.
WBD · Capital · Neutral Warner Bros. Discovery is the acquisition target in Paramount Skydance's $52B financing package, but the article only notes the bond offering tied to the deal.
The yield on the 30-year US Treasury bond climbed to a 24-year high today amid inflation concerns and expectations of Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. The 30-year yield, which typically responds to geopolitical risk, jumped to 5.613%, its highest level since 2002. Meanwhile, the 10-year yield, the main benchmark for setting rates on mortgages, auto loans and credit card debt, rose to 5.285%. The 2-year yield, which tends to move in line with the Fed's policy rate decisions, was little changed at 4.922%. The latest CME Group FedWatch Tool indicates that investors are pricing in a 70.3% probability that the Fed will raise rates at its October meeting and a 94.9% probability of a hike at the December meeting. Investors are watching several economic data releases this week, especially the August personal consumption expenditures price index, an inflation gauge the Fed prioritizes, due on Wednesday. Analysts expect headline PCE to rise 3.7% year on year and 0.4% month on month, while core PCE is expected to rise 3.4% year on year and 0.3% month on month. The US Labor Department will release September nonfarm payrolls on Friday, October 2, with analysts expecting job growth of 98,000, down from 162,000 in August, and the unemployment rate holding steady at 4.1%.
CarMax Beats Fiscal Q2 Estimates as Pre-Market Futures Rebound
CarMax shares rose 5% after the auto dealer reported a 70.6% earnings surprise to $1.16 per share in its fiscal Q2, with revenues up 11.54% to $7.88 billion. Pre-market futures were moderately higher following Monday's selloff, with the Dow up 70 points, the Nasdaq up 94, the S&P up 10 and the Russell 2000 up 4, helped by cooling oil prices at $90 per barrel on WTI and $103 per barrel on Brent. Bond yields remained elevated at 5.226% on the 10-year, 4.922% on the 2-year and 5.55% on the 30-year. The Case-Shiller Home Prices report for July showed 1.9% growth overall, 2.5% on the 20-city survey and 3.4% on the 10-city survey, marking the 14th-straight decline in real home prices, with Chicago leading gains at 6.9% for a fifth-straight month. Later today, the August JOLTS report is expected to show job openings easing to 7.2 million from 7.27 million, while the Conference Board's September Consumer Confidence reading is expected to dip to 89 from 89.4 in August.
KResearch says baht weakens against the dollar as Hormuz talks stall, pushing oil and yields higher
Kasikorn Research Center, or KResearch, said the baht this morning stood at about 33.59-33.61 baht per dollar, compared with yesterday's market close of 33.59 baht per dollar, with the baht still moving in a weakening range, running counter to the dollar and rising US bond yields amid concerns over inflation pressure from oil prices after negotiations between the United States and Iran on the terms of opening the Strait of Hormuz ended without a conclusion. Iran, meanwhile, signaled that tensions could drag on until the US midterm elections. Yesterday, the 2-year US bond yield rose 8 bps to close at 4.93%, while the 10-year yield rose 8 bps to close at 5.24%, and this morning November-delivery BRENT was still trading above 106 dollars per barrel. KResearch estimates the baht's trading range today at 33.55-33.70 baht per dollar, with attention needed on the Middle East situation and global oil prices, foreign fund flows, and US economic data such as job openings and the labor turnover rate, or JOLTS, for August, and the September consumer confidence index. At the same time, signals from the yen also bear watching after Japanese authorities warned the market that they remain ready to step into the foreign exchange market if the yen weakens sharply or moves away from fundamentals.
Energy Transition & Power Demand › Natural Gas Value Chain ▲Geopolitics
USDTHB.FOREX · Monetary · Positive Baht weakens against the dollar as rising US yields and oil prices from stalled Hormuz talks pressure the Thai currency.
US-10Y.GB · Monetary · Positive 10-year US Treasury yield rose 8 bps to 5.24% on oil-driven inflation concerns and stalled Hormuz talks.
US-2Y.GB · Monetary · Positive 2-year US Treasury yield rose 8 bps to 4.93% amid inflation worries from higher oil prices.
USDJPY.FOREX · Monetary · Negative Japanese authorities warned they remain ready to intervene if the yen weakens sharply, supporting the yen.
US Treasury Yield Curve Nears Inversion as Fed Rate Hikes Stoke Recession Fears
The yield gap between 10-year and 2-year US Treasuries briefly narrowed to 17 basis points last week, its lowest level since early 2025. As the yield curve continues to flatten, the likelihood is growing that the 10-year yield will soon fall below shorter-term yields, producing an inversion. An inverted curve has long been regarded as a strong leading indicator of recession. The Fed raised rates this month for the first time in three years and signaled the possibility of further hikes, with the market pricing in at least three quarter-point increases over the next year. Zack Griffiths of research firm CreditSights noted that an inverted or sharply flattened curve raises questions about views on the strength of the economy. Jenadi Goldberg of TD Securities, meanwhile, said that because substantial rate hikes are already priced in, the 2-year to 10-year curve is likely to steepen in the coming weeks.
Durable Goods Orders Beat Forecasts as Bond Yields Hit 20-Year Highs
U.S. Durable Goods Orders for August came in at 0.0%, beating expectations of a -0.3% decline, while the Non-Defense, ex-aircraft proxy for business spending surged to +1.6%, more than triple the +0.5% analysts had expected. The report followed an unrevised +1.1% gain in July, with ex-transportation orders easing to +0.3% from +0.7% and shipments improving to -0.2% from -0.9%. The data landed as bond yields climbed to multi-decade highs, with the 30-year yield at +5.480%, the 10-year at +5.188% and the 2-year at +4.906%. Pre-market futures were higher, with the Dow up +111 points, the Nasdaq up +110 and the S&P 500 up +17, helped by lower oil prices at $92 per barrel on WTI and $104 per barrel on Brent crude. Attention now turns to the final read on the University of Michigan Consumer Survey, whose preliminary reading fell to 47.8 from 51.7, and to next week's Jobs Week data, with September non-farm payrolls expected at +162K and ADP private-sector payrolls at +38K.
30-Year Bond Yield Hits 22-Year High on Fed Rate Hike Bets
The yield on the 30-year U.S. Treasury bond surged to 5.440%, its highest level since 2004, or in 22 years, amid expectations of interest rate hikes by the U.S. Federal Reserve. Meanwhile, the 10-year Treasury yield, the main benchmark for setting rates on mortgages, auto loans and credit card debt, climbed to 5.133%, its highest since July 2007. The 2-year Treasury yield, which tends to move in line with the Fed's policy rate decisions, remained near its highest level since 2023. Investors are increasingly betting that the Fed will raise rates two more times this year, following the surge in oil prices and U.S. Treasury yields. Most recently, the CME Group's FedWatch Tool indicated that investors assign a 66.4% probability to the Fed raising rates by 0.25% to 4.00-4.25% at its October meeting, up from 55.4% a week earlier, and a 50.3% probability to another 0.25% increase to 4.25-4.50% at the December meeting, up from 41.7% a week earlier. The Fed's monetary policy committee, the FOMC, voted unanimously 12-0 to raise short-term rates by 0.25% to 3.75-4.00% at its September 16 meeting, in line with market expectations, marking the first increase in more than three years, or since July 2023. Since then, the Fed has cut rates six times, by a total of 1.75%. The Dot Plot report, which shows Fed officials' projections, indicated that 16 of 18 officials expect one more rate hike this year. West Texas Intermediate crude rose above 93 dollars a barrel today, while Brent crude surged past 105 dollars a barrel. Fed Governor Michael Barr said he expects the Fed will need to keep raising rates to control inflation, noting that the labor market and economic growth remain strong, but inflation is still above the Fed's 2% target and there is no clear sign it will return to target within a reasonable timeframe. He added that risks to achieving the inflation target have increased, while risks to the labor market have diminished. Barr made these remarks as S&P Global reported that the preliminary composite Purchasing Managers' Index for U.S. manufacturing and services rose to 58.4 in September, a 62-month high, from 56.0 in August. At the same time, price pressures increased significantly, reaching their highest level since October 2022.
Fed raises rates for first time in over 3 years, to 3.75-4% range
The US Federal Reserve announced a 0.25% increase in its policy rate to a range of 3.75-4% at its meeting on September 15-16, ending a pause of more than three years and signalling continued vigilance against inflation. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, who took office in May 2026, said inflation remains elevated and that this rate hike aims to help inflation return to the 2% target more quickly. The Fed's new economic projections indicate the policy rate could rise by at least another 0.25% by the end of this year, with the median year-end rate at 4.00-4.25%. The Fed also raised its 2026 PCE inflation forecast from 3.6% to 3.7% and expects inflation to return to the 2% target in 2029, later than previously projected. Its 2026 GDP forecast was revised slightly up to 2.3% from 2.2%, and the year-end unemployment rate is expected at 4.1%. After the meeting, the yield on 2-year US Treasury notes rose to its highest level in more than two years. US Treasury Department data as of September 16 showed the 10-year Treasury yield surging to 5.00%, the 2-year at 4.67%, and the 30-year at 5.36%, flat to slightly lower. US stocks fell immediately on the news, with the Dow dropping more than 1% while the Nasdaq barely moved and the VIX edging slightly higher. Wolfe Research found that in the 6-12 months after the Fed's first rate hike, stocks typically recover into positive territory.
Yuanta recommends accumulating US tech stocks and gold after Fed signals another rate hike this year
Yuanta Securities (Thailand) Company Limited, or YUANTA, shared its view on the direction of US monetary policy, noting that the Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously 12-0 to raise interest rates by 0.25% to a range of 3.75-4.00%, the first increase in more than three years and the first under Fed Chair Kevin Warsh. This aligns with the Hike & More path YUANTA had previously anticipated. The Fed stated that the economy continues to expand strongly, domestic spending is resilient, and investment and employment are growing well, while inflation remains above target, so it aims to push inflation back to 2% more quickly. The point that is more hawkish than the rate figure itself is the upward revision of the entire Dot Plot, with the median rate for 2026 raised from 3.8% to 4.1%, for 2027 from 3.6% to 4.1%, and for 2028 from 3.4% to 3.9%. This indicates the Fed is likely to raise rates by another 0.25% before the end of this year and will not deliver a net rate cut in 2027, while 16 of 18 committee members see the rate at the end of 2026 higher than the level after this meeting. On economic projections, the Fed raised its 2026 GDP forecast from 2.2% to 2.3%, with 2027 at 2.4%, and lowered its unemployment rate forecast to 4.1% for both years, while raising its 2026 PCE inflation forecast to 3.7% and Core PCE to 3.4%. For investment strategy, YUANTA assesses that equities will be driven by earnings, with the US stock market the most attractive because valuations have been pushed below the average forward P/E of the past five years. On bonds, the meeting outcome reinforced a bear flattening, with 2-year bond yields rising more sharply than 10-year and 30-year maturities. It therefore recommends a core portfolio in bonds with an average maturity of 3-5 years and continues to recommend the UGISFX-N fund for unhedged global bonds. For aggressive investors, it recommends reducing the allocation to short-term global bonds or delaying investment until the NDAA policy review is completed. Once the core portfolio is complete, YUANTA recommends adding to satellite holdings, focusing on equities with strong earnings growth such as semiconductors, cybersecurity, and AI-related groups through the SCBSEMI (A) fund, as well as related DRs under the Wealth Compass portfolio. Meanwhile, gold remains an important diversification asset amid concerns over inflation, budget deficits, and geopolitical issues, with investment recommended in BGOLD, GOLD19, and GOLDUS19 combined at no more than 10% of the total investment portfolio.
CIMB Thai Warns of 'Higher for Longer' Global Rates After Fed's First Hike in 3 Years
Dr. Amornthep Chawala, Senior Executive Vice President and Head of the Research Office at CIMB Thai Bank, is warning investors to brace for global interest rates that may stay "higher for longer" than expected, after the US Federal Reserve raised its policy rate by 25 basis points to 4.00%, its first hike in three years. The Fed also signaled through its Dot Plot that rates will stay elevated through next year and that it may not rush to cut until 2028. In his view, a single hike is not enough to bring inflation under control, because monthly PCE figures for services and housing rents continue to climb, and there is a high chance the Fed will raise rates again in both October and December. The 10-year bond yield could drift to 5.3%, while the 2-year yield has already jumped to 4.74%, producing a yield curve flattening that is reflected in the CME FedWatch tool: investors do not believe the Fed will hike just once, and expect the Fed to push rates to 4.75% by the middle of next year. As for the impact on Thailand, the baht risks weakening to 34 per dollar on higher US rates plus oil prices still hovering above 100 dollars a barrel. And although the Monetary Policy Committee would like to hold rates steady, if the Fed keeps raising rates the Bank of Thailand may feel compelled to follow with a hike next year. The Fed sees US GDP growing 2.3% this year with unemployment at just 4.1%, and is sticking to the principle of a Monetary Policy of Discipline Not Decision to steer inflation back to its 2% target.
Treasury Yields Split After Fed Raises Rates to 4%
U.S. Treasury yields moved in opposite directions on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 4%. The U.S. 2 Year Treasury yield climbed to 4.65% from 4.60% just before the announcement, while the longer-end U.S. 30 Year Treasury yield slipped to 5.31% from 5.33%. The split flattened the curve, with front-end yields absorbing the first rate increase in more than three years and the official signal that another quarter-point hike is still penciled in for 2026, while longer-dated yields eased as investors questioned whether growth and inflation will remain strong enough to support a higher terminal rate for long. The Federal Open Market Committee's move matched market expectations, and its Summary of Economic Projections showed policymakers anticipating one additional 25-basis-point increase later this year. The reaction stayed orderly, and traders now look to incoming data to decide whether the extra tightening materializes or whether the long end continues to resist a higher-for-longer narrative.
10-Year Treasury Yield Hits 5% as Fed Rate Decision Looms
The 10-year Treasury yield hit its highest level since 2007, hovering around 5.00% after reaching the 5% threshold yesterday and climbing as high as 5.04% today. The 30-year Treasury yield stood at 5.36%, while the two-year note rose to 4.66%, more than 1% above the Fed's funds rate, signaling to the Fed that investors want rate increases. The market anticipates the Federal Reserve will raise rates tomorrow by 25 basis points. Strategists attributed the move to factors including the unwinding of the Yen carry trade, higher oil prices, corporate bond issuance for the AI infrastructure buildout, rising real rates due to economic growth and infrastructure spending, and a supply energy shock tied to shipping disruptions in the Red Sea and China's increased oil purchases for reserves.
US 10-Year Bond Yield Jumps to 5.025%, Highest in 19 Years, Ahead of Fed Meeting
The yield on the 10-year US Treasury note, the benchmark bond yield, surged to its highest level in 19 years, or since 2007, today as investors heavily sold off US government bonds ahead of the meeting of the US central bank, the Fed, with widespread expectations that the Fed will raise interest rates at this meeting. At 12:10 pm Thailand time, the 10-year bond yield rose more than 0.06% to 5.025%, while the 30-year Treasury yield, which is more sensitive to geopolitical risk, climbed more than 0.05% to 5.384%, and the 2-year bond yield rose about 0.04% to 4.68%. The CME Group's FedWatch Tool indicates that investors assign more than 92% probability to the expectation that the Fed will raise interest rates by 0.25% at this meeting, after August inflation figures remained well above the Fed's 2% target. Jonathan Liang, chief investment officer for fixed income and currencies at Standard Chartered Bank, said the 10-year US Treasury yield is highly sensitive to inflation expectations, and as long as inflation remains above the Fed's 2% target, the strong correlation between inflation and bond yields is likely to persist for some time. Data from BMO Capital Markets indicates that over the past month, WTI crude oil prices and the 10-year US Treasury yield have moved strongly in the same direction, with a correlation as high as 0.96.
US 10-Year Bond Yield Hits 5%, Highest in Nearly 3 Years, Ahead of Fed Meeting
The yield on the 10-year US Treasury note climbed to 5% on Monday, September 14, its highest level in nearly three years, ahead of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy meeting this week. The 10-year bond yield has since pulled back to 4.987%, up more than 1 basis point, after spiking to 5.014%, its highest level since October 2023. The 2-year bond yield rose more than 1 basis point to 4.658%, after touching its highest level since July 2024 last week, while the 30-year bond yield fell less than 1 basis point to 5.353%. The moves came after the August consumer price index report on Friday, September 11, which came in line with expectations, with headline CPI up 0.4% month on month and up 3.4% year on year, while core CPI rose 0.3% month on month and 2.4% year on year. Data from CME Group's FedWatch tool indicates the market is pricing in a 92.3% probability that the Fed will raise interest rates by 0.25% at this meeting. Jason Ware, chief investment officer of Albion Financial Group, said the rise in yields is partly due to an imbalance between supply and demand in the bond market, and he expects the market will not be unsettled by the 10-year yield moving above the 5% level.
US-10Y.GB · Monetary · Positive 10-year Treasury yield climbed to 5%, highest in nearly three years, ahead of the Fed meeting with markets pricing a 92.3% probability of a 25bp rate hike.
US-2Y.GB · Monetary · Positive 2-year yield rose above 4.658% to its highest since July 2024 amid expectations of a Fed rate hike this week.
US-30Y.GB · Monetary · Negative 30-year yield fell slightly to 5.353%, easing even as shorter-dated yields rose ahead of the Fed decision.
Bessent Dismisses Bond Market Concerns, Insists Market Remains Strong After Weak Buyback
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has pushed back against concerns over the selloff in the US bond market, affirming that the government bond market remains in very good shape. He noted that demand at the last two bond auctions was still strong, and said the moves in the bond market were consistent with unusually high energy prices. The selloff came after the US Treasury announced its first buyback tranche of 6 billion dollars, which was lower than the market had expected. The buyback auction on Thursday closed at 5.19 billion dollars, marking the third time the Treasury chose not to buy back the full amount it had set. Normally the Treasury receives offers to sell around 20 billion dollars, but this time it received only about 10 billion dollars. The 2-year bond yield jumped to its highest level since 2024, while the 10-year yield hit its highest since 2023 and was last at 4.96%, nearing a test of the 5% level. The 30-year yield traded near its highest since 2007. Bessent also explained that measures departing from normal practice, including expanding the bond buyback program and intervening in the Japanese yen, were partly a response to Iran's efforts to create economic problems for the United States through bond yields or oil prices. He insisted the moves were not made because of the approaching election.
US-10Y.GB · Monetary · Positive 10-year yield hit its highest since 2023 near 4.96% as the weak $6B buyback and soft auction demand drove a bond selloff.
US-2Y.GB · Monetary · Positive 2-year yield jumped to its highest since 2024 amid the Treasury buyback shortfall and weak auction demand.
US-30Y.GB · Monetary · Positive 30-year yield traded near its highest since 2007 as the bond market sold off after the smaller-than-expected buyback.
Baht Weakens to 33.20 per Dollar, Markets Eye US Inflation and Next Week's Fed Meeting
Kasikorn Research Center reported that the baht this morning stood at about 33.11-33.13 per dollar, weakening from yesterday's market close of 32.94 per dollar. The baht has returned to trading on the weaker side of the 33.00 per dollar level, while the dollar drew support from the US producer price index for August, which came in higher than expected at 5.4% year on year, against a market forecast of 5.3%. As a result, the market now expects a greater chance that the US will raise its policy interest rate at next week's FOMC meeting. The dollar also received a boost from higher global oil prices and rising US bond yields, with the 2-year yield up 16 basis points to 4.59% and the 10-year yield up 12 basis points to 4.96%. For today, the baht is initially expected to move within a range of 33.05-33.20 per dollar. Factors to watch include the situation in the Middle East, the direction of the yen and gold prices, foreign fund flows, and US economic data such as the August consumer price index and the preliminary September consumer sentiment index.
US Treasury Expands Long-Term Bond Buybacks, Market Questions Effectiveness
On the 9th, the US Treasury announced that the initial expansion of its long-term bond buyback operation would be up to $6 billion. This is three times the $2 billion initially indicated to investors, but bond market strategists had anticipated it could reach $10 billion to $12 billion, so it fell short of expectations, and the cap of "up to" also caused disappointment. Following the announcement, the 10-year Treasury yield rose to 4.8528%, a high not seen since 2023. The 2-year yield also reached a two-year high since 2024. Market participants criticized that this buyback program does not fundamentally solve the US fiscal situation and is merely a temporary measure, with some suggesting that the scale is too large to have an impact. The buybacks will continue until November 4th, and it remains to be seen whether the Treasury market will show resistance to the Treasury's intervention.
Treasury triples long-bond buybacks to $6B, yields still climb
U.S. Treasury yields climbed Wednesday after the Treasury Department said it will repurchase up to $6 billion of longer-dated notes in Thursday's operation, tripling the size of its last long-end buyback. The purchase targets 10- to 20-year securities and exceeds the "at least $4 billion" floor Treasury set on August 19, when it doubled the prior $2 billion cap to support liquidity in less actively traded issues. Three weeks later, the first enlarged window has been sized even higher. The announcement did not ease selling pressure: the 2-year yield rose 2 basis points to 4.42%, its highest since July 2024, while the 10-year yield advanced 5 basis points to 4.84%, a high not seen since November 2023, and the 30-year yield added about 4 basis points to near 5.29%. The Treasury uses these operations to absorb older, less liquid coupons rather than to shrink overall debt, and some investors had expected an even larger print, which helped keep yields bid even as the repurchase window widened.
2-Year Bond Yield Hits Over 1-Year High on Fed Rate Hike Bets
The yield on the 2-year U.S. Treasury note surged to 4.379% today, the highest level since January 2025, after the U.S. reported stronger-than-expected employment data. Investors have increased their bets that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates in September, having previously expected the Fed to hold rates steady. The latest FedWatch Tool from CME Group indicates that investors now assign a 60.2% probability that the Fed will raise rates by 0.25% at its September meeting, up from 49.4% yesterday. Meanwhile, the U.S. Labor Department reported that nonfarm payrolls rose by 162,000 jobs in August, surpassing analysts' expectations of 55,000 jobs, while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%, in line with forecasts. Average hourly earnings increased 3.1% year-over-year, above the expected 3.0%, a figure the Fed closely monitors for signs of inflation.
Gold Falls After Strong US Jobs Data Boosts Fed Rate Hike Expectations
Gold prices fell today after the US released stronger-than-expected employment figures, which will support the Federal Reserve's decision to raise interest rates this month. Spot gold [GOLD.X] dropped $47.41, or 1.06%, to $4,445.19 per ounce, while COMEX gold futures for December delivery fell $54.31, or 1.21%, to $4,485.60 per ounce. The market was also pressured by a stronger dollar and a rebound in US Treasury yields following the jobs data, with the 2-year Treasury yield surging to 4.425%, the highest level since January 2025. Investors increased their bets on a Fed rate hike in September, with the CME Group's FedWatch Tool indicating a 60.2% probability of a 0.25% rate hike at the September meeting, up from 49.4% yesterday. The US Labor Department reported that nonfarm payrolls rose by 162,000 jobs in August, well above the 55,000 expected by analysts, while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%, in line with forecasts. Average hourly wages increased 3.1% year-over-year, exceeding the 3.0% forecast.
Dow Falls More Than 200 Points After U.S. Jobs Data Surges Past Expectations
U.S. stocks declined on Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 215.11 points, or 0.40%, to 53,471.00 points, after the U.S. reported that nonfarm payrolls increased by 162,000 jobs in August, significantly higher than the 55,000 jobs analysts had expected. This prompted investors to increase their bets that the Federal Reserve may raise interest rates by 0.25% at its September meeting. The CME Group's FedWatch Tool indicated that the probability of such a move rose to 60.2% from 49.4%. Meanwhile, the yield on the 2-year U.S. Treasury note surged to 4.425%, its highest level since January 2025. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%, and average hourly earnings rose 3.1% year-over-year, above the expected 3.0%.
Dow Falls More Than 200 Points After Strong U.S. Jobs Data
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more than 200 points today after the U.S. reported stronger-than-expected employment figures, which could support a rate hike by the Federal Reserve this month. As of 9:04 p.m. Thai time, the Dow was down 215.11 points, or 0.40%, to 53,471.00 points. The market was also pressured by a surge in the yield on the 2-year U.S. Treasury note, which rose to 4.425%, the highest level since January 2025. The U.S. Labor Department reported that nonfarm payrolls rose by 162,000 in August, well above analysts' expectations of 55,000. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%, and average hourly earnings increased 3.1% year-over-year, above the forecast of 3.0%. The latest CME Group FedWatch Tool indicates that investors now see a 60.2% probability of a 0.25% rate hike by the Fed at its September meeting, up from 49.4% yesterday.
Bualuang Securities Recommends Accumulating AI Stocks Amid US Market Volatility
Bualuang Securities advises investors to use the downturn in the US stock market, driven by monetary policy volatility, as an opportunity to gradually accumulate AI and technology stocks with strong earnings. The firm notes that short-term risks have increased after Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh signaled a hawkish stance at the Jackson Hole meeting, reaffirming the 2% inflation target and readiness to raise interest rates if core inflation does not slow. This has led the market to raise the probability of a September rate hike to over 50%, up from 35–36%, while the 2-year Treasury yield climbed to 4.34–4.35%. The 30-year Treasury yield briefly touched 5.31%, its highest level in nearly two decades, but has since retreated about 10 basis points from that peak. However, Bualuang Securities views the pressure as temporary, given that 88% of S&P 500 companies have beaten earnings expectations, and the AI capex cycle, led by Nvidia and Salesforce, continues to provide momentum.
Thai stocks today at risk of correction as Fed signals rate hike, SET swings 1,575-1,590 points
Finansia Syrus Securities expects the SET to move within a range of 1,575-1,590 points today, after the US Federal Reserve Chairman signaled a hawkish stance at the Jackson Hole meeting, causing the market to increase the probability of a rate hike in September to 57% from the previous 35-40%. Meanwhile, the US 2-year Treasury yield rose to 4.34% and the dollar strengthened near 100 points, pressuring risk assets including gold prices. Brent oil prices edged up close to $90 per barrel after the US attacked Iranian rocket launchers. This week, attention is on US non-farm payrolls data, while Thai politics may add volatility. The recommended strategy is Selective Buy, focusing on stocks with strong second-half earnings.
Warsh Opens Door for Fed Rate Hike, Says Inflation Still High, Must Move Toward 2% Target
Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh said in a speech at the Jackson Hole meeting that inflation remains high and must move clearly and quickly toward the 2% target. This led markets to increase the probability of a rate hike in September to 55.7%, according to CME FedWatch data. Warsh avoided committing to forward guidance and called on the Fed to communicate more purposefully. Meanwhile, the 2-year Treasury yield surged nearly 8 basis points to 4.31%, the highest since late July. Economists see Warsh as opening the door for a rate hike, which may not occur in September but could happen in October or December.
Bitcoin and US stocks fall after Fed Chair Walsh's hawkish remarks
Following Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Walsh's hawkish stance in his Jackson Hole speech, Bitcoin fell from over $80,000 the previous day to around $77,100 at one point, and US stock markets also weakened. The S&P 500 closed down 0.25% and the Nasdaq Composite down 0.52%, but on the week they were up 0.49% and 0.85%, respectively. Walsh prioritized curbing inflation, made no mention of rate cuts, and said financial conditions are "not broadly restrictive." After the speech, CME's FedWatch tool showed the probability of a September rate hike rose from around 35% the previous day to about 55-60%, and the 2-year Treasury yield rose 7-9 basis points. On the prediction market platform Polymarket, the probability of a rate hike by mid-2026 rose to 68%. The Fed's next meeting is scheduled for mid-September, setting up a confrontation with President Trump's demands for rate cuts.
Fed's Warsh Signals More Inflation Fight, Stocks Choppy
Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh signaled the central bank may not be done fighting inflation, a stance that boosted bond yields and led to choppy trading in stocks. The Dow industrials rose after Warsh's speech, then pared gains in midday trading, while short-term Treasury yields moved higher as his comments at the Kansas City Fed's annual conference in Jackson Hole, Wyo., were taken as a sign that interest rates could rise. The 2-year Treasury yield recently traded at 4.33%, up from about 4.23% before the speech. The Nasdaq composite and chip stocks are lower after Marvell Technology's earnings disappointed investors, with shares sinking 10% despite higher revenue and profit. Oil prices are retreating, with Brent crude futures trading at about $88 a barrel.