Is The Long Term Treasury Mania Over?
Last week before the jobs report on Friday I wrote an article that concluded, "The weakness in the dollar will also put hawkish pressures on the Fed. Many are expecting more quantitative easing but the market may have a surprise if the Fed changes its language to support the dollar and curb the speculation into gold and silver." Today one week later Ben Bernanke said, "...factors have dictated that the FOMC proceed with some caution in deciding whether to engage in further purchases of longer-term securities."
This was a major change in the language and came in at a crucial time to support the U.S. dollar from entering new all time lows. Pressure from the rapidly declining dollar led Bernanke to also speak today about not knowing the economic effects of these policies. This sent long term treasuries lower along with housing and financials. The dollar gained some strength over the cautious statement.
I believe he is well aware of the economic effects which are clearly being felt in the markets, a deteriorating dollar, higher prices of commodities and a extremely weak recovery with high unemployment. Now I am also seeing signs of a collapse in long term treasuries through two factors less demand from foreign buyers and less purchasing power by the Fed. One of the actions which the Fed has been doing to keep interest rates low to stimulate growth is buying long term treasuries. However, the market is nervous that the Fed may be cautious of the extent of those purchases.
Although Bernanke indicated there are some very large deflationary pressures, the long term treasuries are indicating that it will be much harder for the Fed to raise its debt at these low rates. The long term treasury market is indicating that the spending and deficits the U.S. is getting itself into may demand higher interest rates. The U.S. is selling a huge supply of treasuries to finance the debt it is using to spur economic growth. This is creating an artificial glut and demand seems to be decreasing especially since many investors are moving into precious metals and natural resources as the safe haven at the moment. Long term treasuries have been a safe haven asset during the credit crisis of 2008 and the recent European Sovereign Debt Crisis. However, the long term treasuries are showing signs of weakness as investors are losing faith of the financing of record deficits and a pullback of purchase by the Fed.
We may be approaching a significant decline in long term treasuries which could send long term rates higher. These higher rates could continue to put pressure on the housing market. Many homeowners are unable to take advantage of record low interest rates to refinance due to negative equity. Now with higher rates this will continue to put pressure on the housing market and bank stocks which have not confirmed this recent rally in the equity. Please see my article where I discussed the potential break down of U.S. Treasuries. Their recent lack of participation in the market rally indicates that housing and the financial crisis is not over yet. Defaults are expected to rise with higher interest rates on adjustable loans.
I believe that interest rates will start moving higher and we may see a major collapse in treasuries, housing and financials over the next couple of weeks. The long term treasuries have broken trend support and the 50 day moving average on high volume. Now is an important time to prepare against a rise in interest rates during a weak economy.
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Author: Jeb Handwerger
Jeb Handwerger
http://goldstocktrades.com
I started reading charts at eleven years old. One day my father, a market trader and technician found his library of books on technical analysis mysteriously disappearing. He later found the textbooks under my bed. For many years day and night I studied technical analysis and charting, working and learning from my father who has over 50 years of trading experience. Technical analysis is my passion and love.
In 2001, I started noticing the junior mining stocks and gold as having a tremendous upside. For the past 9 years I have researched many juniors and have identified the major winners using technical analysis and finding top management.
I earned a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics and a Masters Degree. I learned most of my technical analysis from the school of hard knocks, managing real money for myself and for my family.
Constantly perfecting my craft, I have traded for two decades of success in many different markets. I have been asked to post ideas to some of my students who have taken my course in charting and technical analysis. I have made an excellent living trading stocks for myself.
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