Jun 132017
 

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By G. Steven Bray

This could be a busy week for bond markets. The marquee event is the Federal Reserve meeting. The Fed announces the results of the meeting Wed afternoon followed by Fed head Yellen’s news conference. While a rate hike seems a near certainty, it’s unlikely to have much effect on longer-term rates, like mortgage rates. Markets priced in the rate hike a while ago. Instead, markets are interested in what the Fed thinks about the state of the economy and how it plans to shrink its massive bond portfolio. Markets may react to any changes to the Fed’s rate hike outlook. If the outlook is less aggressive, I expect the rate rally to resume. Markets don’t expect the Fed to provide more details about unwinding its portfolio, and any variation from expectations could make rates jump.

Other than the Fed meeting, this week is full of important economic reports. Two of the biggest reports, the consumer price index and retail sales, will be released Wed morning before the Fed announcement. It’s likely markets will mostly ignore the reports in favor of waiting for the Fed. That gives the Fed announcement and press conference that much more potential oomph. If the reports differ greatly from expectations, consistent sentiment from the Fed could give the market extra momentum in the same direction.

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