The US Treasury market witnessed a sharp decline as a slew of companies inundated the market with substantial debt offerings, all preceding this month’s crucial economic data release and the Federal Reserve’s imminent rate decision. Simultaneously, equity markets experienced a downturn, and the US dollar surged to its highest level since March, fuelled by rising oil prices and escalating concerns over inflation.
The impact on bonds was felt across the entire US yield curve, with 10-year yields edging closer to the 4.3% mark. Over 40 corporations tapped into the high-grade debt markets worldwide on Tuesday, breaking free from the seasonal lull and reacting to the recent surge in Treasury rates. Remarkably, half of these deals, amounting to over $36 billion in new bonds, were executed in the United States, marking it as the busiest session in terms of deal count and daily supply so far in 2023, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
Ian Lyngen, Head of US Rates Strategy at BMO Capital Markets, commented, “Investors are comfortable with the narrative that the bulk of the selling pressure was a function of an atypically heavy corporate issuance calendar as the market returns from vacation season.” He further added, “We’re comfortable with this interpretation and will add that rate-lock unwinds will, presumably, be as supportive as their initiation was damaging to Treasuries.”
The S&P 500 index concluded the trading session below the 4,500 threshold, witnessing a 2% slide in the small-cap index and a significant drop of 5.5% in the homebuilders’ gauge. Notably, Tesla Inc. emerged as the leader among mega-cap stocks, recording substantial gains. In contrast, United Airlines Holdings Inc. faced a dip after temporarily grounding its aircraft nationwide. On the corporate front, Enbridge Inc., a pipeline operator, reached an agreement to acquire three natural gas utilities from Dominion Energy Inc. for $9.4 billion. Moreover, Brent oil prices surged above $90 per barrel for the first time since November, primarily due to the extended supply cuts by the largest OPEC+ producers, continuing through the year-end.
In light of the recent data showcasing a gradual easing of inflation and a resilient labor market, Fed Governor Christopher Waller remarked that policymakers can proceed with tightening cautiously. Waller stated, “There is nothing that is saying we need to do anything imminent anytime soon.” Concurrently, Fed Bank of Cleveland President Loretta Mester acknowledged the possibility of raising rates “a bit higher” but refrained from specifying the course of action for the forthcoming meeting.
David Kelly, Chief Global Strategist at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, expressed concerns over the Fed’s monetary policy, stating, “The Fed is sailing in shallow waters in a thick fog. It should be moving very slowly and be ready to halt or reverse its monetary tightening.”
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. has subsequently revised its projection, with a reduced probability of the US economy sliding into a recession, down from 20% to 15%. This modification stems from the observed decline in inflation and the continued resilience of the labor market, potentially indicating that the Fed might not need to implement further interest rate hikes.
Corporate highlights featured private equity behemoth Blackstone Inc. and vacation home-rental company Airbnb Inc., both of which experienced positive momentum after being slated for inclusion in the S&P 500 index later this month. Oracle Corp. also saw an uptick in its stock price following Barclays Plc’s upgrade of the software company to overweight, citing a “multi-year growth story.” Digital World Acquisition Corp., the firm working to take Donald Trump’s emerging media company public, witnessed a rise after securing investor approval to extend its deadline for an additional year, bolstering hopes for the successful completion of the deal.
Conversely, Manchester United Plc faced a decline following reports in the Mail On Sunday, suggesting that the Glazer family intends to withdraw the club from the market due to the absence of offers matching their valuation. Meanwhile, Arm Holdings Ltd.’s initial public offering, aiming to raise $4.87 billion at the upper end of the price range, indicates that the British chip designer’s envisioned premium valuation may not be fully realised in the context of a New York listing.
The forthcoming week is poised to deliver a series of key events, including Eurozone retail sales and Germany’s factory orders. In the US, the release of trade data and the ISM services index will command attention. Additionally, the Bank of England Governor, Andrew Bailey, will testify before the UK parliament’s Treasury Select Committee, and the Federal Reserve will issue its Beige Book economic survey. Various Fed officials are also scheduled to speak, with markets closely monitoring their remarks. Japan’s GDP figures and Germany’s CPI data are among the other significant events on the economic calendar for the week.
In summary, the surge in corporate debt offerings has triggered a Treasury sell-off, exacerbated by concerns over inflation and the upcoming Fed rate decision. As economic data continues to unfold, financial markets remain on edge, and the path forward for monetary policy remains uncertain.
