GLOBAL BOND MARKETS
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THEMES AFFECTING Bonds
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Bonds as related to other asset classes
Bond prices and yields often drive price movements in currencies and other asset classes. In this section, we aim to explain how these movements are analyzed and traded by our dedicated contributors and in-house analysts.
A bond yield is the return an investor gets on a bond. Contrary to many other assets, bond prices and bond yields are inversely related. When the price of a bond increases, the yield decreases. When the price of a bond decreases, the yield increases. Thus, a so-called rally in the bond market means that yields decreased, while a bond sell-off means that yields increased.
It is important to know the underlying dynamic of why a bond's yield is rising or falling. This movement can be based on interest rate expectations or market sentiment, such as uncertainty, which triggers a ‘flight to safety’ to bonds, traditionally considered less risky compared to stocks.
The change in interest rates, either the target rate or market rates, is important because it makes stocks or bonds become more attractive. When this happens, prices tend to trend as money flows from one vehicle to the other until the new relationship is adequately reflected in prices.
Bonds and stocks are in constant competition for investor money, and less so commodities. These, particularly Gold, usually trend in the opposite direction of bond prices (falling commodity prices usually lead to higher bond prices, and vice versa). Therefore, commodities generally trend in the same direction as interest rates.
US Treasuries
If you trade USD-based or USD-quoted currency pairs, it is crucial to monitor the United States (US) bond market, as movements in Treasury yields impact the US Dollar. Treasury yields’ movements are often driven by comments from Federal Reserve (Fed) officials, so staying updated on news coming from US monetary authorities is essential. US stocks usually get a boost from rising bond prices (falling Treasury yields), especially in inflationary periods. But if they don't, then it's worth looking for market sentiment and identifying reasons for the cautious stance in bond markets. US stock prices can also rise alongside falling bond prices (rising Treasury yields) during deflationary periods. In such cases, both stock prices and interest rates rise, driving global demand for the US Dollar.
UK Gilts
Global bond prices tend to move in synchrony, but occasionally, a country's bond market may experience sharper movements compared to others. Sometimes this volatility is related to currency fluctuations. The Gilt, the 10-year benchmark in the United Kingdom (UK) fixed-income market, typically has a positive correlation to the Pound Sterling (GBP). A decoupling between these markets can serve as an early alert that an intermarket relationship has shifted. Changes in foreign exchange prices can overwhelm relative return calculations for international investors buying Gilts. Stripping out the currency component, UK Gilts should still provide returns to investors. Otherwise, other bond markets such as US Treasuries, may become attractive. Additionally, a prolonged trend in rising energy prices is a factor to consider as it will affect inflation expectations and therefore the Bank of England's (BOE) monetary policy.
Latest Latest Bonds & Interest Rates Analysis
Editors' picks
EUR/USD flatlines below 1.1800 ahead of Fed Minutes
EUR/USD struggles to find direction and continues to move sideways below 1.1800 for the second consecutive day on Tuesday as markets remain in holiday mood. Later in the American session, the Federal Reserve will publish the minutes of the December policy meeting.
GBP/USD retreats to 1.3500 area following earlier climb
GBP/USD loses its traction and trades flat on the day near 1.3500 after rising to the 1.3530 area early Tuesday. Trading conditions remain thin ahead of the New Year holiday, limiting the pair's volatility. The Fed will publish December meeting minutes in the late American session.
USD/JPY rises back above 156.00, shrugs off Yentervention risks
USD/JPY is back in the green above the 156.00 region in Tuesday's Asian trading. The pair shrugs off impending risks of a forex market intervention by the Japanese officials. Volatility is expected to widen during the last trading week of 2025, and follow into early 2026 as holiday-thinned market volumes wreak havoc on general market trends.
Gold rebounds toward $4,400 following sharp correction
Gold gathers recovery momentum and advances toward $4,400 on Tuesday after losing more than 4% on Monday. Increased margin requirements on gold and silver futures by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group, one of the world’s largest trading floors for commodities, prompted widespread profit-taking and portfolio rebalancing.
WTI edges higher above $57.50 amid geopolitical risks
West Texas Intermediate, the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $57.65 during the early Asian trading hours on Tuesday. The WTI price drifts higher amid geopolitical risks. Traders await the release of the American Petroleum Institute crude oil stockpiles report on Tuesday for fresh impetus.