Long-dated U.S. Treasuries sold off for the eighth time in nine sessions on Thursday following a weak auction and rising fears of protectionism.
The decline comes after the U.S. sold a record $30 billion in five-year notes at a higher yield than forecast. Markets were anticipating a yield of 1.79%, but the U.S. government had to pay investors 1.82% for the notes.
The soft auction sent a signal that the market might have a difficult time digesting the more than $2 trillion in debt that is expected to be issued this year. Next week, the Treasury Department will outline how it plans to raise the funds in its quarterly refunding announcement. Fixed income strategists expected the Treasury to announce record auctions of 10-year and 30-year notes.
Worries about the growing supply of long-term debt have led to a dramatic sell-off in the past two sessions. Bond yields have jumped 36 basis points higher in the past two sessions -- the largest two-day rise in at least a year.
Furthermore, strategists say growing protectionist rhetoric could be worrying debt holders, also leading to the sharp drop in bond prices.
Treasuries have been declining since U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said the new administration believes that China is manipulating its currency on Jan. 22.
"Geithner sort of got the ball rolling," said Carl Lantz, interest rate strategist at Credit Suisse First Boston. "We're so reliant on foreign appetite for U.S. debt...an obvious reaction from countries if they want to retaliate [in a trade war] is to sell Treasuries."
Evidence of protectionism is mounting. A provision in a stimulus bill being considered by U.S. lawmakers requires infrastructure projects to use U.S. steel exclusively.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper reacted strongly to the proposed legislation on Thursday. He said he expects the U.S. to respect international obligations and that the proposal is a "serious matter."
On Wednesday, the Japanese government said it will inject funds into major companies. Similar actions include the U.S. and China both injecting funds into domestic automakers as well as Taiwan's support for computer chip makers.
"The protectionist trend is gaining strength much faster than we thought even just a few weeks ago," says Merrill Lynch chief investment strategist Richard Bernstein.
On Thursday, U.S. two-year yields were up 5.6 bps to 0.95%, with five-year yields up 14.4 bps to 1.84%, 10-year yields up 19.7 bps to 2.86% and 30-year yields up 18.9 bps to 3.61%.
By Adam Button and edited by Sarah Sussman
©CEP News Ltd. 2009