Great Graphic: Inflation Expectations Via 10-Year Breakevens

Over the next fortnight the major central banks, including the ECB, BOJ, Fed and BOE will holdpolicy-making meetings.  Of the four, expectations are the highest for the ECB to ease policy.

Given the poor economic data, including deflationary pressures, and the tightening of financial conditions, the BOJ could also adjust policy.  However, after the G20 meeting, it seems as if the bar for fresh monetary easing is higher than it had previously appeared. This does not mean that the BOJ has reached peak easing; it appears that the near-term focus may shift back to fiscal policy. 

The divergence of monetary policy that drives our medium-term dollar bullish view is predicated on diverging macroeconomic performances. It is not just about growth and employment, but it also includes inflation. Central bankers are concerned about inflation and inflation expectations.

One way to measure inflation expectations is to compare the yields of conventional bond and the inflation-linked instruments.  These “breakevens” have been cited by numerous central bankers. For the purpose of this exercise, the accuracy of the “breakevens” to forecast future inflation is not particularly relevant. What matters is that monetary authorities take them seriously.

Earlier this week, NY Fed President Dudley expressed concern about the drop in market-based measures of inflation expectations.    Dudley may be able to sleep better now. The US10-year break-even has soared.  On February 10, it fell to a multi-year low near 1.11%.  With today’s gains, it has extended the advancing streak to ten consecutive sessions, and at 1.54%, it is at its highest level since January 8.  On December 16, when the Fed delivered what we think is the first hike in a cycle (we anticipate two hikes this year), the 10-year breakeven was just below 1.50%.

In the UK, the 10-year breakeven fell to recorded a multi-year low on February 29 near 2.13%. Today it stands at 2.21% and is higher for the third consecutive session. At the end of last year, it was at 2.36%. The 4.35% decline in sterling this year appears to have done little for UK inflation expectations.