WHEN THE FED "LOWERS THE
RATE"
WHY DO LONG TERM RATES OFTEN INCREASE?
Consumers often mistakenly believe that when the Federal Reserve (The FED)
reduces short term interest rates, long term rates will also trend lower. Why,
then, does the opposite often occur . . . long term rates actually increase
when the FED reduces the discount rate.
Here is the theory. While consumers mistakenly believe that the stock market
"drives" long term interest rates, it is actually long term bond
investments that determine the direction of long term interest rates.
Bond investments typically react negatively to positive economic news,
believing that "good news" could lead to an increase in the dreaded
"I" word . . . Inflation. It can be confusing to think that a robust
economy actually promotes higher long term interest rates while a faltering
economy can result in lower long term rates . . . In other words, an inverse
relationship to a strong economy.
THE SHORT VERSION OF THE BOND
MARKET CONNECTION
Investors view the bond market as a barometer for predicting inflation. The
bond market fears inflation because it lowers the value of bonds. Here is the
potential problem . . . this "fear" of inflation can sometimes cause
bond marketeers to "sense inflation even when
none exists". So, the bond market might react quickly to such things as
lower unemployment, an increase in consumer confidence or higher retail sales,
all viewed as changes in the "expectation" of inflation. This in turn
can affect long term interest rates.
Here is the short version in understanding bonds . . . there is an inverse
relationship to bond prices and bond yields. When prices are up, yields are
down. We consider it good when bond prices are up because the result is usually
lower interest rates.
This is what happens. When the stock market and the rest of the economy is robust, consumers invest and money is withdrawn from the
more secure, but less lucrative bond investments. Bond yields must increase in
an attempt to attract investors . . . the cost of purchasing bonds declines
promoting a higher "yield" to investors.
The opposite occurs when the economy declines, there is often a transfer of
funds from a declining stock market to the more secure and stable bond markets.
This "flight" of funds to bonds results in a higher cost to purchase
bond instruments and a lower yield. Since bonds actually "drive" the
long term interest rate market, the lower bond yield translates into reduced
long term rates.
TRACKING THE BOND MARKET
If you want to watch the bond market in hopes of predicting long term
interest rates . . . Good luck! But, here is how you do it. When you check on
the 10 year bond in the paper, on the TV or on the web there will be a yield
quote. Let us say the yield is quoted as 4.0. As you track the 10 year bond,
this number reduces, typically very slowly. Now, let's say that the yield has
reduced to 3.7, indicating that the price of bonds have increased (this is good
for lower interest rates, remember). If, on the other hand, the yield is
increasing, say up to 4.3, the price of bonds have likely declined and long
term interest rates likely trending a bit upward.
Note that very slight changes in the bond yield can result in interest rate
changes. While initially confusing, you will soon get the hang of it. It is
helpful to remember that the FED controls only short term interest rates, not
bond yields. A reduction in short term rates will be reflected in equity line loan rates and Adjustable Rate loan products,
not long term, 30 or 15 year home loan rates. Once you understand the
relationship, it makes sense that the FED's actions
most often have an inverse relationship to our long term interest rate markets.
Now, we know that the bond markets often view the FED's
reduction of short term rates as inflationary. Why? As these short term rates
decline, it is cheaper for companies and individuals to borrower and thus
encourages spending. This prompts a "protective" action and can
result in an immediate increase in long term rates. Sometimes, this long term
rate increase is short lived. When the bond markets "realize" the FED's actions did not promote inflation, the long term
rates often readjust proportionally. That is why immediately after a FED rate
reduction, long term rates can spike upward, only to adjust back downward after
a few days of reflection and review of market conditions. While this roller
coaster action can result in long term rates temporarily spiking higher,
followed by a reduction (when the bond market realizes that the FED action was
not inflationary), depending upon this to occur is a bit of a gamble. Long term
rates might just go higher and stay there!
So, the next time you hear that the FED is expected to reduce rates, think
carefully as to your decisions regarding pending home mortgage rates,
especially if you are involved in a purchase or refinance transaction and have
not "locked in" your interest rate.
What makes this phenomena so exciting and frustrating, is that no one can
accurately predict what will occur. Thus, you, the consumer, are just as good a
predictor (or guesser) of future rates as those of us who are watching the
market daily. Scary, isn't it?
Web Page/Fed Rates