Central bank

Higher yields, higher USD

02 June 2022 • 5 mins read
  • Though US inflation may have finally peaked and recession fears are rising, US Treasury yields have bounced this week and we think it is too soon to call a peak in yields or the USD.
  • First, the US recovery from the pandemic remains resilient with May’s ISM manufacturing data overnight surprisingly increasing.
  • Second, global data shows strength with May’s record Eurozone inflation and China’s PMIs rebounding and, third, central banks remain hawkish as Bank of Canada showed overnight.
  • We expect 10Y Treasury yields to stay volatile after May’s 2.70-3.20% range and we don’t rule out fresh highs as the Fed keeps hiking by 50bps in June and July to the benefit of the USD.

Though US inflation may have finally peaked and recession fears are rising, US Treasury yields have bounced this week from 2.70% to over 2.90%. We thus think it is too soon to call a peak in Treasury yields or the USD.

Source: Bank of Singapore, Bloomberg.

First, the US recovery from the pandemic remains resilient. Overnight, May’s manufacturing ISM survey - a key US indicator - surprisingly rose from 55.4 in April to 56.1 last month as the first chart shows, allaying fears the economy is set to slow sharply as the Federal Reserve hikes interest rates.

Second, global economic data shows strength too. May’s Eurozone inflation hit a record high of 8.1% as the second chart shows. Even excluding energy and food costs, core inflation was 3.8%.

Source: Bank of Singapore, Bloomberg.

Similarly, China’s official purchasing manager indices (PMIs) signalled business sentiment rebounding as Shanghai reopens. The last chart shows services PMI jumped from 41.9 to 47.8 in May and manufacturing PMI rose to 49.6.

Source: Bank of Singapore, Bloomberg.

Third, central banks remain hawkish. Overnight, the Bank of Canada hiked rates 50bps to 1.50% and said it is ‘prepared to act more forcefully’.

We expect government bond yields globally will stay volatile over the summer. 10Y US Treasury yields traded in a 2.70-3.20% range in May, and we don’t rule out fresh highs as the Fed keeps lifting interest rates by 50bps in June and July. We thus remain USD bulls and see the EUR trading below this year’s five-year lows of 1.03.

Important information
This product may only be offered: (i) in Hong Kong, to qualified Private Banking Customers and Professional Investors (as defined under the Securities and Futures Ordinance); and (ii) in Singapore, to Accredited Investors (as defined under the Securities and Futures Act) and (iii) in the Dubai International Financial Center to Professional Clients (as defined under the Dubai Financial Services Authority rules) only. No other person should act on the contents of this document.This product may involve derivatives. Do NOT invest in it unless you fully understand and are willing to assume the risks associated with it. If you have any doubt, you should seek independent professional financial, tax and/or legal advice as you deem necessary.

Please carefully read and make sure that you understand all Risk Disclosures, Selling Restrictions, and Disclaimers. This document must be read together with the relevant Prospectus & Offering Documents &/or Key Fact Statement.

Disclaimer
This document is prepared by Bank of Singapore Limited (Co Reg. No.: 197700866R) (the “Bank”), is for information purposes only, and is not, by itself, intended for anyone other than the recipient. It may contain information proprietary to the Bank which may not be reproduced or redistributed in whole or in part without the Bank’s prior consent. It is not an offer or a solicitation to deal in any of the investment products referred to herein or to enter into any legal relations, nor an advice or by itself a recommendation with respect to such investment products. It does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, investment experience, financial situation and the particular needs of any recipient or customer. Customers should exercise caution in relation to any potential investment. Customers should independently evaluate each investment product and consider the suitability of such investment product, taking into account customer’s own specific investment objectives, investment experience, financial situation and/or particular needs. Customers will need to decide on their own as to whether or not the contents of this document are suitable for them. If a customer is in doubt about the contents of this document and/or the suitability of any investment products mentioned in this document for the customer, the customer should obtain independent financial, legal and/or tax advice from its professional advisers as necessary, before proceeding to make any investments.

The Bank, its Affiliates and their respective employees are not in the business of providing, and do not provide, tax, accounting or legal advice to any clients. The material contained herein is prepared for informational purposes and is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used or relied upon for tax, accounting or legal advice. Any such client is responsible for consulting his/her own independent advisor as to the tax, accounting and legal consequences associated with his/her investments/transactions based on the client’s particular circumstances.

This document and other related documents have not been reviewed by, registered or lodged as a prospectus, information memorandum or profile statement with the Monetary Authority of Singapore nor any regulator in Hong Kong or elsewhere.

This document may not be published, circulated, reproduced or distributed in whole or in part to any other person without the Bank’s prior written consent. This document is not intended for distribution to, publication or use by any person in any jurisdiction outside Singapore, Hong Kong, or such other jurisdiction as the Bank may determine in its absolute discretion, where such distribution, publication or use would be contrary to applicable law or would subject the Bank and its related corporations, connected persons, associated persons and/or affiliates (collectively, “Affiliates”) to any registration, licensing or other requirements within such jurisdiction.

Author:
Mansoor Mohi-uddin
Chief Economist
Was this page useful?