Get 40% Off
👀 👁 🧿 All eyes on Biogen, up +4,56% after posting earnings. Our AI picked it in March 2024.
Which stocks will surge next?
Unlock AI-picked Stocks

Prevailing Rates vs. The 10-Year Note

Published 11/05/2013, 01:33 PM
Updated 07/09/2023, 06:31 AM
“Davidson” submits:
Thought this could stimulate some thinking.

I do not think that the relationship shown in this chart is only open to only one interpretation. But, the way I look at this is that investor perception means that they are always “fighting the last war.”
Rates vs. The 10 Year
It appears that investors who had been heavily damaged by rising rates in 1970s finally favored stocks vs bonds in 1980. 10yr Treasury rates remained generally above the Prevailing rate till 2000 when sentiment changed due to the sharp correction after the Internet Bubble.

Since the Internet Bubble correction 10yr Treasuries have been favored over stocks with plummeting stocks increasing the trend towards Treasuries-see 2008 and 2011 when the spread widened.

I labeled the 1980-2000 period one in which investors feared inflation while the period from 2000-2013 reflects a fear of volatility.

Although there is a very rough correlation between the Prevailing Rate and 10yr Treasury Rates, this chart shows that investors seem to be always fighting the last period of uncertainty and this creates a psychological mind set which can last 20 years years.

Psychology is a huge market influence which cannot be predicted using the mathematical models so much in vogue. My expectation that a period of market over pricing is likely the next four to five years comes from recent market peaks in 2000 and 2007 when investors pushed up stocks to levels 100% and 55% above valuations estimated by the Prevailing Rate.

One is always making estimates about future market prices which are subject to revision based on how the market psychology develops at the time. With this context I can say the SP500 (SPY) has the potential to be priced in a range of $2,500-$4,000. One really cannot be more precise because the market psychology impact is impossible to predict even over short periods.

But, based on historical study one can expect the current pessimism towards stocks, i.e. very low 10yr Treas Rates, to turn at some point. There is so much capital buried in Treasuries globally that when this capital shifts towards stocks one can imagine an enormous period of equity performance. Just the same, it is impossible to predict when and how high! Experience tells us to expect it, watch for it and monitor the economic news on which past Bubbles were supported to find an exit point.

Until stocks run into significant Bubble territory peaking with the economic peak, i.e. when Auto&Lt Truck Sales peak, the market offers considerable potential for gains. We will be able to get some guidance on this when 10yr Treasury Rates turn higher as investors feel compelled to sell Fixed Income to buy Equity. My guestimate is that the 10yr Treasury Rate have to rise decently above the Prevailing Rate like the period of inflation fear before this market reaches a peak.
3rd party Ad. Not an offer or recommendation by Investing.com. See disclosure here or remove ads .

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.