The Yield Curve and What It Can Tell Us About Markets

02/04/16 04:09:13 PM

by Matt Blackman

In every major correction, rumors surface that a recession is in the wings. These same rumors have been circulating of late. If we are indeed in a true bear market and headed for recession, the yield curve will provide valuable warning.

Security: HYG
Position: N/A

The yield curve compares Treasury yields for bonds ranging from three months to 30 years on a concise chart. When the economy weakens, so does the demand for money, and longer-term yields fall. When they drop below three-month yields, the yield curve is said have become inverted.

As the next chart (Figure 1) shows, as stock prices plummeted short-term yields remained well below long-term in the third week of January. So does this mean we are safe?

Figure 1. Yield curve on the left showing the S&P 500 Index on the right.

Graphic provided by: StockCharts.com.

Before attempting to answer that question, let's compare this chart with charts showing the periods leading up to the last two official recessions.

Figure 2. Yield curve from March 2000 at the onset of the 2000 bear market and subsequent recession officially called in March 2001.

Graphic provided by: StockCharts.com.

Between 1953 and 2009, a flattening yield curve provided warning in seven of the ten recessions. However, the advance warning period varied. In the last two shown in Figures 2 and 3, warnings ranged from one to nearly three years. But it's important to point out the fact that just because the curve isn't flat now doesn't necessarily mean a recession isn't coming.

Figure 3. The next time the yield curve flattened was in July 2006 before it again went inverted. A recession was not officially declared until June 2009.

Graphic provided by: StockCharts.com.

There is another factor this time around. We have experienced unprecedented central bank stimulus since 2008 and that (may have) changed the yield curve dynamic. Never before in history have Federal Reserve Fed funds overnight rates remained mired near zero for so long. For the yield curve to flatten from here would require that either 1) long-term rates drop to nearly zero or 2) short-term rates rise. And the latter scenario is looking less likely given the deteriorating global economy.

Another indicator to watch is high-yield corporate bond rates. Currently, the iShares IBoxx High-Yield Bond ETF (HYG) price is trading at lows not seen since the last recession in 2009. A continued decline would indicate weakening demand for money and that would be bearish.

By the time a recession is officially declared it's too late to protect our portfolios from it. What is far more important for the trader is identifying the strength of the preceding bear market. And a flattening yield curve is one indicator that helps us measure the potential strength and duration of each bear.

Matt Blackman

Matt Blackman is a full-time technical and financial writer and trader. He produces corporate and financial newsletters, and assists clients in getting published in the mainstream media. He is the host of TradeSystemGuru.com. Matt has earned the Chartered Market Technician (CMT) designation. Find out what stocks and futures Matt is watching on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RatioTrade

Company:	TradeSystemGuru.com
Address:	Box 2589
	Garibaldi Highlands, BC Canada
Phone # for sales:	604-898-9069
Fax:	604-898-9069
Website:	www.tradesystemguru.com
E-mail address:	indextradermb@gmail.com
Traders' Resource Links
TradeSystemGuru.com has not added any product or service information to TRADERS' RESOURCE.

Click here for more information about our publications!

PRINT THIS ARTICLE

Request Information From Our Sponsors

DEPARTMENTS: Advertising | Editorial | Circulation | Contact Us | BY PHONE: (206) 938-0570

Comments or Questions?	Article Usefulness
	5 (most useful) 4 3 2 1 (least useful)

BOND & INTEREST RATE

The Yield Curve and What It Can Tell Us About Markets

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE
EMAIL NEWSLETTER!