US TSYS: Bonds Weak; Long End Underperforming : 10-Yr Consolidates Above 4%

Dec-01 05:14

US bond futures were all lower today with the 10-Yr down -03 to 113-08.  The 10-Yr retains its position above the 20-day EMA of 113-01+ as markets are set to start the trading week after the dis-jointed week last week due to holidays.  

Cash was weak today with the long end underperforming.  

  • The 2-Yr is up +0.2bps at 3.496%
  • The 5-Yr up +1.2bps at 3.61%
  • The 10-Yr up +2.5bps at 4.044%
  • The 30-Yr up +3.5bps at 4.701%

This week markets will look for any key messages from :

  • Jerome H. Powell - Chair of the Fed - is slated to speak Monday at a panel discussion at Stanford.
  • Michelle W. Bowman - Vice Chair for Supervision - is scheduled to give a speech this week (on bank supervision/regulation).

As the data flow continues, looking at the week ahead, the bond market will eye key data releases for potential further guidance on the upcoming rates decisions, specifically:

  • Monday, December 1: ISM Manufacturing PMI, Construction Spending, and S&P Global Manufacturing PMI.
  • Wednesday, December 3: ADP Employment Change, Industrial Production, Capacity Utilization, and ISM Services PMI.
  • Thursday, December 4: Initial Jobless Claims and Continuing Jobless Claims.
  • Friday, December 5: Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, Personal Income, Personal Spending, and Michigan Consumer Sentiment.

For the issuance calendar overnight the focus for Monday will be Bill issuance with a 6-week maturity.

Historical bullets

AUSSIE 10-YEAR TECHS: (Z5) Returns Lower

Oct-31 23:15
  • RES 3: 95.982 - 76.4% retracement Sep’24 - Nov’24 downleg
  • RES 2: 95.960 - High Apr 7 (cont.)
  • RES 1: 95.900 - High Oct 17
  • PRICE: 95.670 @ 16:16 GMT Oct 31
  • SUP 1: 95.510 - Low Sep 3  
  • SUP 2: 95.415/95.300 - Low May 15 / Low Jan 14 
  • SUP 3: 95.275 - Low Nov 14  (cont) and a key support

Aussie 10-yr futures slipped lower Wednesday on the back of hotter-than-expected Australian inflation. This returned prices lower despite nascent signs of a technical recovery as recently as last week. The sustainability of the pullback will be dependent on prices holding above key short-term support at 95.510, the Sep 3 low. Near-term resistance remains 95.780, the Sep 12 high. A clear break of this level signals scope for a continuation higher and opens 95.960, the 76.4% retracement level for the Sep’24 - Nov’24 downleg. 

AUSSIE 3-YEAR TECHS: (Z5) Struck by Strong CPI

Oct-31 22:45
  • RES 3: 97.796 - 1.618 proj of the Sep 3 - 12 - 15 price swing
  • RES 2: 96.780 - High Jun 26 (cont)
  • RES 1: 96.700 - High Sep 12
  • PRICE: 96.375 @ 16:13 GMT Oct 31
  • SUP 1: 96.280 - Low May 15 (cont.)
  • SUP 2: 95.900 - Low Jan 14 (cont.)
  • SUP 3: 95.760 - Low 14 Nov ‘24

Having bounced well on the back of the mild US CPI print, Aussie 3-yr futures reversed course Wednesday on strong domestic inflation data containing RBA cut pricing through 2026. This keeps prices well below prior resistance at 96.615, the Sep 12 high, and refocuses attention on 96.280 as the next major support.

FED: Gov Waller: Still Advocating For A December Rate Cut

Oct-31 21:05

Gov Waller, one of the FOMC's more prominent doves, makes clear in an appearance on Fox Business that he supports a follow-up rate cut in December. He makes reference to Chair Powell's press conference comment that the Fed could skip a cut at the December meeting due in part to a lack of official government data during the federal shutdown (Powell: “what do you do if you are driving in the fog? You slow down").

  • Waller says today: "Right now, we know that the labor market has been weak... We know inflation is going to come back down. Inflation expectations are anchored, and in that world, the standard of central bank wisdom is to look through it and proceed with worrying about the labor market. So in my view, we should just look at what the data is telling us and proceed on policy that way.... So this is why I'm still advocating that we cut policy rates in December, because that's what all the data is telling me to do. The fog might tell you to slow down. It doesn't tell you to pull over to the side of the road. You still have to go. You may want to be careful, but it doesn't mean to stop, and ... the right thing to do with policy is to continue cutting."
  • This is of particular interest since he appeared to suggest he would have a more cautious outlook on further easing after cutting in October.