Treasurys

Treasuries led losses in global bond markets as inflation concerns, stoked by soaring oil prices, overshadowed any haven bids on the back of Russia-related tensions.

With minimal coupon protection, exceedingly long duration and super-tight credit spreads, the powder keg was fully loaded. Now we have sizzling inflation and hawkish central bankers providing us with the spark.

Government bonds worldwide are extending declines after the worst six months in five years, a Bloomberg index showed. Meanwhile, the pool of negative-yielding debt shrank to a six-year low.

Pension funding versus liabilities was close to 100% at the end of 2021, for the first time since the financial crisis, according to investment advisory firm Milliman.

U.S. Treasuries gained, bouncing back from an initial wave of selling after consumer-price inflation accelerated at the fastest annual pace in four decades in December.

The bond selloff that pushed 10-year Treasury yields to their highest in two years may not lead to a full-on taper tantrum, according to one of the biggest Treasury options market makers.

The rapid wage growth underscored the case for a more aggressive tightening by the Fed and capped a punishing week in the bond market.

The municipal market has a history of outperforming during periods when the Fed hikes rates, because as yields rise, the tax-free interest that munis pay makes them more attractive.

The selloff worsened after minutes from the Federal Reserve’s latest meeting showed officials considering earlier and faster interest-rate increases than expected.

Treasury yields rose a second day amid increasing conviction that the Federal Reserve will raise rates at least three times beginning in May.