SOFR: Short Setting Dominated In Futures On Tuesday

Feb-25 11:01

OI data points to net short setting dominating through the blue pack of the SOFR futures strip as most contracts tricked lower on Tuesday. Only two instances of net long cover were seen in the front 16 contracts. 

  • Note that options flow of note in recent sessions has seen increased protection against/exposure to deeper Fed rate cuts, while the SOFR strip flattening (for example the SFRZ6/Z7 spread) has extended.

 

24-Feb-26

23-Feb-26

Daily OI Change

 

Daily OI Change In Packs

SFRZ5

1,313,392

1,299,848

+13,544

Whites

+27,188

SFRH6

1,364,778

1,344,439

+20,339

Reds

+73,627

SFRM6

1,390,024

1,389,455

+569

Greens

+33,952

SFRU6

1,245,112

1,252,376

-7,264

Blues

+46,048

SFRZ6

1,421,189

1,402,733

+18,456

 

 

SFRH7

915,556

902,843

+12,713

 

 

SFRM7

868,819

843,362

+25,457

 

 

SFRU7

736,780

719,779

+17,001

 

 

SFRZ7

1,004,742

979,962

+24,780

 

 

SFRH8

533,288

542,673

-9,385

 

 

SFRM8

438,123

431,112

+7,011

 

 

SFRU8

392,550

381,004

+11,546

 

 

SFRZ8

428,025

403,443

+24,582

 

 

SFRH9

236,007

221,620

+14,387

 

 

SFRM9

208,653

203,570

+5,083

 

 

SFRU9

182,138

180,142

+1,996

 

 

Historical bullets

EGBS: 5-year German Yields Tested Trendline Resistance On Friday

Jan-26 10:39

German yields are down 1.5-2.5bps today, taking cues from UST and JGB counterparts. There was little net reaction to the slightly disappointing German December IFO survey. The belly of the curve outperforms, with 5-year yields down 2.3bps at 2.479% after testing trendline resistance drawn from the September 2023 high on Friday (see chart).

  • 10-year yields hover just below 2.90%, also down 2.5bps on the session.
  • Bund futures are +17 ticks at 127.77, with cumulative volumes a little below last week’s levels for this time of day.  The pullback from the Jan 19 high and the clear break of 127.90 (Jan 9 low) strengthens a reversal threat. Initial support is Friday’s low at 127.51 and the Jan 6 low at 127.13.
  • 10-year EGB spreads to Bunds are biased narrower, with OATs outperforming as domestic political risk premium continues to be unwound. The 10-year OAT/Bund spread Is 1bp tighter at 57.5bps, a one-and-a-half year low.
  • Germany's IFO Business Climate Index was unchanged in January after two consecutive falls, at 87.6 (88.2 consensus). The expectations component deteriorated marginally to 89.5 (90.3 cons; 89.7 prior), while the current assessment was slightly stronger this time at 85.7 (vs 86.0 cons; 85.6 prior).
  • The EU sold E6.421bln of 5/10/15-year EU-bonds this morning.
  • ECB’s Nagel and Kocher are scheduled to speak later today, while the North American macro calendar is relatively light. 

Figure 1: 5-year German Yields Since 2023 (Source: Bloomberg Finance L.P)

image

EU-BOND AUCTION RESULTS: 5/10/15-Year EU-Bonds

Jan-26 10:38
 2.50% Oct-30 EU-bond3.375% Dec-35 EU-bond3.625% Dec-40 EU-bond
ISINEU000A4EG021EU000A4D8KD2EU000A4EJF17
AmountE2.31blnE2.4blnE1.711bln
PreviousE5blnE2.088blnE6bln
Avg yield2.586%3.170%3.643%
Previous2.527%3.063%3.666%
Bid-to-cover1.28x1.56x1.34x
Previous 1.19x 
Avg Price99.611101.70999.767
Low Price99.590101.68099.730
Pre-auction mid99.558101.61699.639
Prev avg price99.870102.67299.518
Prev low price 102.64 
Prev mid-price 102.575 
Previous date18-Nov-2503-Nov-2507-Oct-25

GILTS: Curve Bull Flattens On Global Cues

Jan-26 10:34

{GB} GILTS: Gilts have roughly stuck to the ranges established shortly after the open, with yields lower on global cues (Tsy rally stemming from Rick Rieder reportedly becoming frontrunner in the Fed Chair race, downticks in long end JGB yields and ongoing geopolitical risks).

  • Locally, the weekend saw the Labour NEC block Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham’s application to run in a by-election. The market had already unwound the brief bout of ‘PM Burnham risk’ that was priced in last week. Still, there may be some background demand for UK paper on the news.
  • Gilt futures +12 at 91.39 vs. highs of 91.56.
  • Last week’s price action undermined a bullish technical theme. Trendline support drawn off the Nov 19 low (91.12 today) was pierced. Bears will look for a more meaningful move below there before targeting the Jan 2 low (90.70). Conversely, initial resistance is located at the Jan 22 high (92.13).
  • Yields 1.5-3.5bp lower, curve flatter.
  • 10s back below 4.50%, leaving early January highs (4.538%) untested at this stage. Triangle pattern formed, with boundaries at 4.346% & 4.513% today.
  • On the supply front, the BoE will sell GBP675mln of long bucket gilts from its APF holdings this afternoon, while the DMO will auction GBP3.25bln of the 4.125% Mar-33 gilt tomorrow and tender GBP1.25bln of the 0.125% Jan-28 line on Thursday.
  • SONIA futures -0.5 to +1.5, strip flattens. BoE-dated OIS pricing ~38bp of easing for the current cycle, after hawkish comments from BoE’s Greene and firm inflation PMI subcomponents factored in late last week.

BoE Meeting

SONIA BoE-Dated OIS (%)

Difference vs. Current Effective SONIA (bp)

Feb-26

3.730

+0.4

Mar-26

3.686

-4.0

Apr-26

3.542

-18.4

Jun-26

3.484

-24.2

Jul-26

3.404

-32.2

Sep-26

3.380

-34.6

Nov-26

3.346

-38.0

Dec-26

3.359

-36.7