The Fed's Higher-for-Longer Mantra is OK for Bonds

The Federal Reserve went to great lengths to indicate that policy rates will likely remain elevated for some time and that neutral policy may indeed be higher than previously projected. While higher rates are still possible, yield levels are back to historically attractive levels that point to productive conditions ahead. “Higher for longer.” That was the message Fed Chair Powell wanted to make clear—and it was everywhere today. The removal of two cuts from the 2024 dots combined with a growth profile that is now stronger (not just this year, but next year as well)—with unemployment rate forecasts that are also much improved—drives the mantra home. Of course, higher doesn’t necessarily mean more hikes from here. Yes, the median dot still sees another hike (12 of 18 members see an additional increase). And Powell did the right thing by keeping the door open to that possibility (as we said after the last FOMC meeting, central bankers relish optionality). But throughout the press conference, Powell never leaned in the direction of believing the median estimate would necessarily be realized. In fact, we think he did a great job of striking a balance between another hike or being done—our own view remains that the hiking cycle is over. It was also noteworthy that in today’s unveiling of the 2026 dots, the Committee still does not have Fed funds hitting the long-run average (which was unchanged at 2.5%). We think this serves two purposes. First, it is yet another way of driving home the higher-for-longer mantra, and second, that a level above 2.5% is the direction of travel for the long-run dot. It’s going higher, and it’s just a question of when at this point. In fact, as we looked through the 2026 forecast stack, there was some movement higher in the dots. The top five dots in that stack shifted up, where the prior average was 3.075% and now it sits at 3.45%. So, the hawks became more hawkish. The only other change that caught our attention was an alteration to the Statement. The current labor market assessment was downgraded somewhat. The Fed had characterized it as “robust,” but they now say it “slowed” and were quick to add that “it remains strong.” That last bit reduces the drag from the wording downgrade, but clearly it became harder to ignore the slowing that is underway. We think continued slowing is ultimately what will get the Fed to realize the cuts that it penciled in for next year.

A Yield Flashback and its Implications

The Fed’s vigilance against inflation pushed the 2yr/30yr Treasury yield curve another 8 bps deeper into inversion driven by a 10 bp+ move higher in the 2-year yield (Figure 1). After rallying intra-day, the 30-year Treasury ended up nearly unchanged. Risk markets ended weaker on net, with credit spreads widening and stocks falling.

Figure 1: The back of the Treasury yield curve indicates confidence in the Fed’s ability to contain inflation over the long term (%).

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Source: PGIM Fixed Income and Bloomberg. Looking ahead, we should expect to see some mild upward pressure on rates until it becomes clear that the Fed is done hiking. But given the fact that: 1. the Fed is near the end of its rate-hiking cycle; and 2. as seen today, moves in the front end of the Treasury yield curve may only have a muted impact on long-term yields, the overall risk of higher yields seems limited. In terms of the outlook for risk product, the price action of the last few months speaks volumes (Figure 2): stocks are down 3% and credit spreads remain near their year-to-date tights—i.e., a hawkish Fed is much more of a risk for stocks than corporate bonds.

Figure 2: The last few months reinforce that a hawkish Fed is more of a risk for equities than corporate bonds (LHS: index level; RHS: bps).

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Source: PGIM Fixed Income and Bloomberg. Looking longer term, with most of the rate hiking cycle almost certainly behind us and the newly re-elevated level of yields—the Bloomberg Barclays Aggregate yield of 5.2% is back up near the peaks of 15 years ago—the outlook for returns in the quarters and years ahead looks quite positive. Read More From PGIM Fixed Income The comments, opinions, and estimates contained herein are based on and/or derived from publicly available information from sources that PGIM Fixed Income believes to be reliable. We do not guarantee the accuracy of such sources or information. This outlook, which is for informational purposes only, sets forth our views as of this date. The underlying assumptions and our views are subject to change. Past performance is not a guarantee or a reliable indicator of future results. Source(s) of data (unless otherwise noted): PGIM Fixed Income, as September 20, 2023. 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