On Monday, U.S. Treasury yields experienced a slight increase as investors took into account the economic outlook and evaluated the likelihood that the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate hiking cycle has come to an end. At 3:31 a.m. ET, the yield on the 10-year Treasury was over three basis points higher, standing at 4.4764%. This comes after two days of reaching a low not seen since September at 4.379%. The yield on the 2-year Treasury also rose by less than one basis point, reaching 4.9151%.
It’s important to note that yields and prices move in opposite directions and that one basis point is equivalent to 0.01%. Investors are considering factors such as the economy and Federal Reserve monetary policy, with growing hopes that the central bank is finished with interest rate hikes following lower-than-expected readings for both the producer and consumer price index. These lower readings suggest that inflation is easing and the Fed’s interest rate hikes are effectively cooling the economy. There is widespread expectation among markets that interest rates will remain unchanged at the Fed’s last meeting in December, which could provide insight into when the Fed might begin to cut rates if they do so at all. Data from the Fed’s last meeting will be released on Tuesday and could provide more clarity on this topic. It is worth noting that bond markets will be closed on Thursday and will close early on Friday for Thanksgiving Day.