Economics
Fed Takes Action to Bolster Treasury Market Functioning
The Fed announced two actions Thursday in response to stress in the market for U.S. Treasuries.
In response to a deterioration in liquidity and functioning of the market for U.S. Treasuries, the New York Fed announced Thursday (12 March) that it would 1) alter the maturity distribution of the currently scheduled reserve management purchases and 2) provide larger and longer-term loans to primary dealers. And depending on conditions in broader markets, the Federal Reserve may prepare for further actions to support markets and the economy.
In a blog posted earlier this week (“When Rate Cuts and Quantitative Easing Fall Flat”), we warned of possible further stress in markets, and discussed whether and how the Fed could respond with targeted programs. In Thursday’s announcement, the Fed did just that.
Responding to Treasury market liquidity challenges
Over the last few days, Treasury market liquidity was strained as a rise in broader market volatility prompted a wave of sales in off-the-run Treasury bonds. These sales were largely driven by investors who use leverage in an effort to amplify the returns of arbitraging the yield spread between Treasury bond yields and other market instruments, including Treasury futures. This wave of sales coupled with general investor outflows from fixed income markets forced the system to absorb a significant amount of bonds in a matter of days.
The Fed’s actions Thursday should ultimately help facilitate more orderly trading as these large positions are liquidated. By providing primary dealers with term loans, and increasing the Fed’s own purchases of off-the-run Treasury bonds, the Fed is helping support markets’ ability to serve their intermediary function.
Further stress
However, these actions ultimately may not be enough. Trading conditions in other markets are also strained. For example, the yield spread of agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) to the 10-year Treasury is at its widest level since the 2008 financial crisis, according to Bloomberg, suggesting that pressures in that market are hindering the effective transmission of monetary policy.
Furthermore, the issues in the Treasury market may be a preview of broader market strains as businesses and consumers come under more severe duress from COVID-19-related disruptions, and credit fundamentals deteriorate.
Policy options
Under these conditions, the Fed could announce a mix of targeted policies to support markets and more general actions to ease monetary policy and financial conditions to support the economy.
We think it’s likely that the Fed cuts the fed funds policy rate to zero, and confirms that they will do whatever it takes to support markets. And to further ease financial conditions, the Fed could announce broader plans to purchase assets, including MBS, while also emphasizing that it stands ready to initiate targeted support to markets as needed in the event of further stress.
For more on our outlook on interest rates, monetary policy, and the investment implications, please see “What’s Next for Interest Rates?”
Tiffany Wilding is a PIMCO economist focusing on North America. Rick Chan is a portfolio manager focusing on global macro strategies and relative value trading in interest rates. Both are contributors to the PIMCO Blog.
Certain U.S. government securities are backed by the full faith of the government. Obligations of U.S. government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees but are generally not backed by the full faith of the U.S. government. Portfolios that invest in such securities are not guaranteed and will fluctuate in value. U.S. agency securities issued by Ginnie Mae (GNMA) are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government. Securities issued by Freddie Mac (FHLMC) and Fannie Mae (FNMA) provide an agency guarantee of timely repayment of principal and interest but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
All investments contain risk and may lose value. This material is intended for informational purposes only. Forecasts, estimates and certain information contained herein are based upon proprietary research and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission. PIMCO is a trademark of Allianz Asset Management of America L.P. in the United States and throughout the world. THE NEW NEUTRAL is a trademark of Pacific Investment Management Company LLC in the United States and throughout the world. ©2020, PIMCO

Peter Schiff: The Federal Reserve Is Nowhere Near Victory
Peter Schiff: The Federal Reserve Is Nowhere Near Victory
Via SchiffGold.com,
The mainstream is optimistic about both the economy and the…
Canadian dollars pares losses after GDP
The Canadian dollar has edged lower on Tuesday. In the North American session, USD/CAD is trading at 1.3410, up 0.17%. Earlier today, USD/CAD rose as much…
Much Of The Wealth Destroyed Through The Creation Of Irrational Exuberance Is Never Recovered
I wrote last week about how statements discouraging market timing/price discipline are wealth destroyers. It would be impossible for the CAPE level ever…
-
Companies16 hours ago
Independent Preliminary Economic Assessment for Atlas Salt’s Great Atlantic Project Supports State-of-the-Art “Salt Factory” Vision
-
Base Metals20 hours ago
“Recession Is On Its Way” – Dallas Fed Shows Factory Activity Slumps For 9th Straight Month
-
Uncategorized17 hours ago
Are metals headed for a golden age?
-
Financing News17 hours ago
CORRECTION FROM SOURCE: Excelsior Mining Announces Extension of Nebari Loan and US$3,000,000 Financing
-
Financing News22 hours ago
Blue Thunder Mining Inc. to Combine with Analog Gold Inc.
-
Uncategorized22 hours ago
My top picks in the resources sector
-
Financing News23 hours ago
Medgold signs Definitive Amalgamation Agreement for proposed acquisition of Balkan Metals Corp. and issues Convertible Debenture
-
Uncategorized15 hours ago
Auric drilling reveals widespread clay-hosted REEs at Chalice West