US Treasury yields rose 3-7bp over the week as the FOMC’s SEP was perceived as hawkish given the dots continued to project three hikes in 2018.
Federal Reserve Chair, Janet Yellen gave one of her most open addresses to-date. Speaking to a crowd of economists from around the world, Yellen spoke honestly about the challenges of conducting monetary policy in the current cycle. Specifically, she went into great depth in explaining the uncertainty surrounding the dynamics of inflation and the Fed's ability to model/forecast inflation.
Yellen reiterated the language she used in her press conference following the FOMC's September 20th statement, citing strength in the labor markets and the Fed's belief that recent inflation weakness has been driven by temporary factors that will fade over time.
US 10yr yields rose from 2.21% to 2.25% ahead of Yellen’s speech, 2yr yields from 1.42% to 1.45. Fed fund futures yields firmed, to price the chance of a December rate hike at 76% (from 71%). Yellen’s speech was mixed, and yields fell 2bp afterwards.
The US dollar index rose 0.4% to a one-month high. EUR fell from 1.1850 to 1.1758 – a one-month low. USDJPY rose from 111.50 to 112.48. AUD fell from 0.7940 to 0.7859 – a six-week low. NZD similarly fell from 0.7250 to 0.7168 – a three-week low. AUDNZD ranged sideways between 1.0940 and 1.0980, after rising yesterday following some weak NZ economic data.
Russia: Based on current levels, the front-end of the curve is fairly valued according to macro fundamentals (current 2y yield 7.65% vs last estimated value of 7.72%), while 10y yields are around 20bp below the predicted value. Strong global demand for yield, high real rates, and a stable currency can justify the modest richness at the long-end.
Turkey: Current yield levels are well below (80bp and 50bp in the 2y and 10y respectively) the predicted value. This is likely related to expectations that tight CBRT liquidity will eventually be reduced, and also due to the global demand for yield.
South Africa: Similar to Russia, the front-end of the curve is fairly valued; 10y yields are around 15bp above the predicted value, but well within normal deviations.


Singapore Central Bank’s Exchange Rate Policy Explained: Why MAS Uses the S$NEER Instead of Interest Rates
Gold Shines on Oil Relief: Buy Dips at $4160, Targeting $4305 as Bullish EMAs Dominate
‘Vibe coding’ is fun and easy, but there’s a major catch
Oil Prices Dip Slightly Amid Focus on Russian Sanctions and U.S. Inflation Data
US Gas Market Poised for Supercycle: Bernstein Analysts
S&P 500 Relies on Tech for Growth in Q4 2024, Says Barclays
BOJ Rate Decision in Focus as Sticky Inflation, Weak Yen Shape USD/JPY and Nikkei Outlook
Ukraine’s drone strikes are having an impact on Russia — but Russian leaders remain committed to war
European Stocks Rally on Chinese Growth and Mining Merger Speculation
U.S. Banks Report Strong Q4 Profits Amid Investment Banking Surge 



