Where now for the US 10yr rate?

We're on the precipice of a cumulative 225bp in rate cuts from the Federal Reserve. The market is discounting an effective funds rate at 3% by the end of 2025 (versus 5.33% now). Market rates have already moved significantly in anticipation of cuts to be delivered. The 10yr SOFR rate is at 3.4%. That's down over 100bp in just three months. A key question is what now?

We have some answers, but first the forward discount is worth examining (chart below). It shows the entire curve gapping down to the 3% to 3.5% area on a one year timeframe, and it stays there for five years. Does that make sense? The simple answer is no. If no, what's the more likely prognosis? Read on.

We identify the 3% area as neutral for the Fed funds rate. We back this out from analysis of the noughties. During that decade US inflation averaged c.2%-2.5%, a rate the Federal Reserve finds acceptable. And over the same time period the funds rate averaged 3%. We also find the 3% area theoretically appealing as a neutral rate, one that incorporates a mild positive real rate. And it happens to be the area that the Fed is expected to land at; a return to neutrality.

The same exercise based off the noughties finds the average 10yr Treasury yield was 4.5%. That translates to around 4% for 10yr SOFR, and a fair value 100bp curve between the funds rate and the 10yr SOFR. These are fair value reference levels against which we can interpret current, and indeed future levels.

Based off that, we can see that the current funds rate is high – it's well above the neutrality area of around 3%. The Fed is about to cut; all good.

But what about the 10yr SOFR rate? It's at 3.4%. That's some 60bp below it's neutral area of around 4%. In that sense, the 10yr SOFR rate is already overshooting to the downside, and away from what we would determine a neutral valuation (in an environment where the funds rate lands at around 3%). Does that mean we should position for a rise in the 10yr SOFR rate? Well yes and no.

But mostly no for now. There is no great mystery as to why it's below 4%. The Fed is about to embark on a significant rate cutting exercise, and history shows that the 10yr rate tends to fall both in, 1. Anticipation of cuts (from the moment it peaks) and 2. On actual delivery of cuts. The chart below has a zoomed focus on these two periods. In modern times, there has been no exception to the rule that the 10yr rate falls as the Fed cuts.

Back to the present, the Fed has not started to cut yet. That suggests that 10yr SOFR should still have some room to move lower in the next month or so at least. We'd argue that it could get down to 3%, a 40bp fall from here.

But getting to 3% would also be an extreme valuation to the downside. Why? The Fed funds rate is discounted to get to 3% and no lower. That must represent a floor for all rates right out the curve. There is no relative value logic for a longer tenor rate to trade below 3%. And if they do, say on a mad rate cutting excitement dash lower, there is no logic for them to stay there.

Our analysis shows that a 100bp curve from the funds rate to the 10yr yield is a fair value one. If the funds rate gets pitched at 3%, then 4% is the level we should be thinking about for 10yr SOFR. It of course can be higher or lower based off other pushes and pulls, but it certainly cannot stay at 3%. Even 3.4% (the current level) is too low against a backdrop where arguably a residual inflation risk remains. And where the US fiscal deficit continues to top 6% of GDP, manifesting in material issuance pressure for Treasuries and upward pressure on long rates.

Bottom line, there are good reasons to anticipate the resumption of a much steeper curve; 100bp at the very least. The chart below shows that the curve has tended to get to 100bp to 200bp as the rate cutting process comes to a conclusion. No reason to think differently this time around.