Inflation, Deficits and QT Don’t Mean Higher Yields

Given the symbiotic relationship between bond yields and inflation, bearish bond traders are taking notice of new inflation worries. Gasoline, home prices and some other goods and services are again on the uptick.

While some may be concerned about higher prices, implied inflation, as determined by the bond markets, displays no such fear. As I share below, five- and 10-year inflation expectations are declining despite bond yields rising sharply.

CPI will likely continue lower as lagged inflation reporting on shelter costs will catch up to reality. As I wrote in Is Inflation Already At The Fed's Target?:

CPI with realistic OER and rent prices would be lower than the CPI excluding shelter numbers graphed above. Ask yourself:" What would Fed monetary policy be if inflation was at the Fed's target?"

The quote referenced the following graph showing that CPI excluding shelter is 1.019%.

Inflation readings will be lower in six months, but may bounce around current levels for a few months before declining. While some think inflation will rise, the markets, in aggregate, have no such concern as shown in implied-inflation rates. Therefore, it's tough to pin the recent yield increases on inflation expectations.

Debt and deficits

Do federal deficits and associated debt issuance correlate with bond yields?

While many fear sharply increasing deficits will push yields higher, history argues the opposite. Since 1980, yields have fallen precipitously while debt to GDP has increased. Why?

Per Hoisington Investment Management's latest quarterly update:

Estimates from econometric studies of highly indebted industrialized economies indicate that the government expenditure multiplier is positive for the first four to six quarters after the initial deficit financing, then turns negative after three years. This implies that a dollar of debt financed federal expenditures will, 'at the end of the day,' reduce private GDP.

In other words, today's stimulus is tomorrow's burden.

Government debt is onerous. Since it is growing much quicker than tax revenue, lower interest rates are required to keep interest expenses affordable for the government. Further, the burgeoning debt will reduce economic growth and inflation in time. As I show, debt has grown much faster than GDP, tax revenues, and federal interest expenses. But due to higher interest rates, interest expense has grown more in the last three years than in the 50 years prior. The recent trend is unsustainable!

The market may rightly fret that more debt will increase yields. But history argues the opposite. The Fed and Treasury know that issuing new debt and rolling over existing debt can't be done much longer at higher rates. In early August, The Treasury Department announced that it was comfortable letting the share of bills outstanding increase above the recommended level to 22.4%. In other words, it is trying to avoid locking in higher rates for longer.

QT

The Fed is likely to continue QT even after it pauses rate hikes. This means that bonds on the Fed's balance sheet today must find a new home. While that may appear to be a bearish factor for bonds, the Fed is not selling long-term bonds. It is only letting maturing bonds roll off its balance sheet. In fact, each month, it is a net buyer of long-term bonds. The Fed needs to buy bonds when the amount of its maturing bonds exceeds the $95 billion monthly objective.

The regional bank crisis resulted from banks having to realize losses on long-term bonds and loans. Those assets and their unrealized losses are still on banks’ balance sheets. The Fed is aware that higher yields risk reigniting the bank crisis. Do not be surprised if the Fed or Treasury initiates some yield control if rates increase. As I said in the deficits section, neither the government nor the economy can afford higher rates. For more, read my article, The Government Can't Afford Higher for Longer.

QT is a short-term measure employed to normalize the Fed's balance sheet. When the time comes, the Fed will again aggressively buy bonds to reduce interest rates and limit the financial fallout of higher rates.

It will do whatever it takes when the time comes!

Summary

Like any other financial asset, bond yields trade up and down minute by minute. The media and investors tell stories attempting to explain each move. But gyrations represent a temporary imbalance of buyers and sellers. China, Japan, inflation, deficits, and QT are frightening stories and headlines. But as I share in this article and its predecessor, they should not worry bond bulls willing to endure short-term yield volatility for significant long-term reward.

The bearish factors in this article are concerning. That said, they dwarf the opportunity that bonds present. Ten-year notes yield 3% more than the long-term trend economic growth rate and trend inflation. The graph below shows the natural real economic growth rate is likely around 1%. Earning 4% or more in a 1% economy is the best yield premium bond investors have been paid in well over 20 years.

The essential question bond holders need to ask themselves is whether the 60-year economic trends in the graph are reversing higher. If yes, rethink bonds. If not, get them while they are cheap!

Michael Lebowitz is a portfolio manager with RIA Advisors and author for Real Investment Advice. For more information contact him at [email protected] or 301.466.1204

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