- Markets are expecting a slowdown in interest rate hikes as recessionary risks mount. This is bolstering demand for bonds, which are seen as safe-haven assets.
- However, most central banks in developed markets (DMs) are expected to continue delivering further interest rate hikes in the first half of 2023 before pausing.
- This ongoing tug-of-war between hawkish central bank messaging and slowing economic growth will likely create choppy conditions for bond markets in 2023, with yields expected to trade within a range-bound environment.
After a decade of near-zero interest — in which consumers and corporations alike enjoyed lenient financing conditions — rates around the world have risen as central banks battle to curb inflation, hammering markets as a result. However, amid signs that inflation is cooling and that interest rate hikes might be slowing, the bond market stands to become a major beneficiary. Global bond markets surged 4.1% to start the year, their best performance since 1999.
As a result of this outperformance, high-quality fixed-income assets are looking increasingly attractive. But the tightening cycle is not over yet; so, is the bond market rebound here to stay?
Why are bonds rallying?
Companies and governments globally issued nearly $600 billion worth of bonds in January alone. In light of slowing economic growth, markets are betting central banks will pull back on interest rate hikes as recessionary risks mount. This direction is bolstering demand for bonds, which are seen as safe-haven assets.
“The sell-off we saw in late December was precipitated by hawkish moves by central banks. But now, we see a moderation in Fed tightening expectations to start the year,” said Jay Barry, Co-Head of U.S. Rates Strategy at J.P. Morgan. The Fed moved from 75 bp hikes to 50 bp hikes in December 2022 and downshifted further to 25 bp in February 2023. “This is certainly a reason for the recent bond rally, particularly as it is accompanied by a moderation in inflation. With that, investors are more comfortable that we are getting closer to the end of the tightening cycle,” said Barry.
DM bond yields are falling
The 10-year benchmark yields for Bunds, U.S. Treasuries and gilts have trended downward since the beginning of 2023.
On one hand, investors are seeking to lock in the current high yields before inflation starts to moderate. “Even though yields are declining, they are close to their highest levels in the last 10 to 15 years,” said Barry. This is making recently issued bonds more attractive thanks to their sizeable coupon payments, which offer meaningful returns.
On the other hand, when interest rates fall, bond prices go up and yields (which move inversely to prices) decrease — a boon for investors seeking stable, low-risk assets. In the U.S., Treasury yields have declined on the back of dovish global policy developments, weakening economic data, rising recession risks and strong demand for duration.
Overall, the prospect of slowing interest rate hikes could spell good news for DM bond markets, where further positive returns are projected for 2023. “The broad expectation of a pause over the next few months is fully priced across various DMs,” noted Fabio Bassi, Head of European Rates Strategy at J.P. Morgan. “However, the job on the tightening cycle is not done yet and it is far too early to declare victory in the fight against inflation.”
Will interest rate hikes slow down?
Despite broader market expectations, DM central banks will likely continue delivering further interest rate hikes before pausing. “DM central banks are taking stock of what’s been delivered so far and indicate additional but limited tightening, with a pause expected between the first and second quarter of 2023,” said Bassi.
The Fed is expected to hike by 25 bp in March and by another 25 bp in May before pausing, while the European Central Bank (ECB) has committed to another 50 bp hike in March and will likely continue tightening into the second quarter of the year (J.P. Morgan Research calls for a further 25 bp hike in May). In the U.K., the Bank of England (BoE) will likely carry out an additional 25 bp hike in March and a further one of the same size in May. While the Bank of Japan (BoJ) did not tweak its yield curve control (YCC) policy in January 2023, which markets interpreted as a dovish move, J.P. Morgan Research expects it to make another adjustment sometime in mid-2023.
“As the market prices the peak in late spring and early summer, there has been a decent amount of repricing further out the curve. Easing is now priced in for all DM central banks between the peak and the rest of 2023, with even more aggressive easing expected in 2024,” said Bassi. “We are biased to fade the early easing in 2023 as we believe central banks will be reluctant to give a message that the tightening job is done ahead of a pause that is still a few months away. But at the same time, we acknowledge that tighter monetary policy for longer will increase the chances of a slowdown and recession at a later stage.”
DM bond markets re