Contrasting Messages from Bonds, Gold and Equities

There is an interesting divergence developing between bond yields, gold prices and the trend in equity markets. Whilst equities continue to go up, bond yields are falling and gold prices are rising. Indeed the usually strong relationship between the S&P 500 and US 10 year yields has collapsed to an insignificant correlation around -0.09 over the past month compared to a high correlation of 0.84 in the month to 8 August.

Rising equities appear to signify an improvement in risk appetite whilst bonds (US 10-year yield around 3.4%) and gold (around $1000 per troy ounce) are giving the opposite message. So which indicator is correct and why the breakdown in the usually solid relationship?

Growing optimism about economic recovery and the run of better than forecast data releases suggest that equities are correct but there is growing risk that so much good news is now priced in that we should pay attention to what bond yields and gold prices are telling us.

Some of the move lower in bond yields can probably be attributed to the wall of liquidity sloshing around due to central banks’ unconventional policy measures. However, it is still remarkable that despite the plethora of better than expected data releases, bond yields have actually declined. This may reflect the success of quantitative easing but could also be associated with sustained economic and market fears.

The commitment by G20 officials last weekend not to reverse stimulus policies prematurely may also have given more confidence in the view that interest rates will not be raised quickly. Reflecting this, two year German bond yields dropped to a record low level at the beginning of the week although longer term bond yield have pushed higher in the 30 year area. The G20 commitment could turn out to be a double edged sword, however. If there is no commitment to reduce burgeoning deficits, bonds could ultimately take fright.

If bonds and gold prices are really reflecting safe haven demand then it will pose a risk to the sustainability of any equity rally over coming months. As equity valuations begin to look increasingly stretched – the P/E ratio on the S&P 500 has reached 18.76 (according to Bloomberg calculations) compared to a low of around 10.00 at the beginning of March 2009 - it will need more to keep the rally going and high amongst the factors needed is some clarity about the pace and shape of growth once stimulus is reversed.

For currency markets I think it will be difficult to see a trend until there is more clarity about the economic outlook and in the meantime currency markets will continue to stock watch for direction even if the influence of risk appetite is declining. Even so, the dollar appears to be reacting more to equities than bond movements and is coming under growing pressure as equities rise.

Many currencies are poised to break out of recent ranges to the topside versus the dollar led by risk currencies such as the AUD, NZD and CAD. If it turns out that the equity story rather than the bond message is the correct one then the real message is a bullish one for risk appetite and given the dollar’s usually negative reaction to improved risk appetite, it could face further pressure over coming weeks.

Comments

[guif:]

the correlation is gone because the USD is worth less and less ... so corporate values in USD are not going up ... it is USD falling ... same as for Gold or else ... rates would have to then rise ... but thanks to the FED, they won't... too many dollars around ... look at the monetary base increase !!!

Sep 08 07:18 AM

[Clive Corcoran:]

This is a very good analysis.

"The dollar appears to be reacting more to equities than bond movements and is coming under growing pressure as equities rise."

But if equities have already priced in the recovery or they've priced in too rosy a recovery a lot of those over-stretched currency positions which are essentially short dollars could snap back rather rapidly.
Ultimately the G20 cannot be right in continuing to argue for ZIRP if equity traders are discounting such a rosy scenario. One of those two perceptions is wrong and one side will have to change in my opinion. If ZIRP goes so may the enthusiasm for the recovery. If equities go then all those using the new carry trade of being short the USD and long the Australian dollar etc. may find a real shortage of buyers for the long leg of their carry trade bets if there is a fast unwind as was seen in July/August of 08.

Sep 08 07:27 AM

[rick12345:]

Risk aversion was extremely active last week with everyone pouring into gold and staples. This week may paint a different picture. I am expecting the USD and bonds to fall (spreads may tighten), commodities to rise, while equities will probably see-saw but should finish the week in positive territory. It's interesting to note that China has convinced the UN to push for a more stable world currency. Could we be reverting back to a gold standard?
Anyhow, this is the end of the USA as we know it; the rest of the world will slowly decouple itself from their economy in an attempt to avoid another world financial collapse. Asia and Europe will be the economic powerhouses of this century, with the US taking a comfortable back seat while it tries to pay off its debt.

Sep 08 08:55 AM

[jockum:]

Hopefully not a goldstandard. Why not a hydrogen standard?


On Sep 08 08:55 AM rick12345 wrote:

> Risk aversion was extremely active last week with everyone pouring
> into gold and staples. This week may paint a different picture. I
> am expecting the USD and bonds to fall (spreads may tighten), commodities
> to rise, while equities will probably see-saw but should finish the
> week in positive territory. It's interesting to note that China has
> convinced the UN to push for a more stable world currency. Could
> we be reverting back to a gold standard?
> Anyhow, this is the end of the USA as we know it; the rest of the
> world will slowly decouple itself from their economy in an attempt
> to avoid another world financial collapse. Asia and Europe will be
> the economic powerhouses of this century, with the US taking a comfortable
> back seat while it tries to pay off its debt.

Sep 08 07:20 PM