Rates Spark: Payrolls day

When the 2/10yr curve very briefly inverted earlier this week, it was a moment where the 10yr yield dipped below the 2yr yield (and not the 2yr shooting above the 10yr). This is important, as since then there has been a tendency for market rates to drift lower. It looks as if the 10yr is attempting to mark the 2.5% area as the peak in the cycle. It’s far too early to tell whether it is, but the market will map out a technical path here to assess whether it was.

There remains upside potential for market rates, beyond 2.5% and likely up as far as the 2.75% area

Our view is that there remains upside potential for market rates, beyond 2.5% and likely up as far as the 2.75% area, particularly as the Fed has not even started to unwind it’s balance sheet yet. When they do, there will be some USD 2-3trn of paper moving off the Fed’s balance sheet and on to the open market – a significant supply-side event, likely starting from July (at the latest).

Payrolls today will help to frame where the market mindset is. The number itself is of course important. But the number itself is not always the issue. Often it’s the market registering the payrolls event and pushing beyond it that matters. Should market rates continue to drift lower after payrolls it will feel like a local peak has certainly been reached. At the same time, the payroll event could be used as an excuse to halt the downside test, and instead revert to testing towards higher yields.

Today’s data releases should set the tone for the upcoming week. US jobs data should confirm the strong labour market backdrop, against which markets will then also interpret the upcoming FOMC minutes. It was the notable meeting where the Fed felt the need to step up the speed of tightening ahead.

A final dash to better align market expectations with ECB thinking

Similarly the high inflation readings in the Eurozone set the stage for the ECB speakers next week. It may be their final dash to better align market expectations, with ECB thinking before the communications blackout period starts on Thursday ahead of the 14 April policy setting meeting. So far the cautious tone from the ECB has been largely brushed aside by markets. But increasing concerns surrounding natural gas supply and the economic knock-on effects may mean that markets become more receptive. The release of the ECB minutes next Thursday can add to the understanding of the ECB's more cautious stance.

In our view the bear-flattening of the Eurozone curve is a near term phenomenon which should eventually give way to a more healthy resteepening of the curve. As the more technical flattening pressure stemming from month end rebalancing flows has now passed, perhaps the upcoming week could see dynamics change already.