No Surprises From Powell. No Major Movement in Rates
As expected, the Fed held rates steady today. The statement was moderately more hawkish in that it acknowledged progress on the labor market front and overall economy. To the very small extent that the statement was hawkish, Powell's press conference could be viewed as counterbalancing due to the non-threatening characterization of inflation and ongoing openness to additional easing if conditions justify it. Bonds are heading out the door almost exactly in line with opening levels and there wasn't much movement in between.
Market Movement Recap
09:24 AM Just barely stronger overnight and sideways so far this morning. MBS unchanged and 10yr effectively unchanged at 4.248.
12:38 PM MBS down 1 tick (.03) and 10yr up 1.3bps at 4.259
03:10 PM Limited reaction to Fed. Gaining some ground as Powell presser continues. MBS up 1 tick (.03) and 10yr unchanged at 4.246
Modest Overnight Weakness on Oil and Corporate Issuance.
It’s as good of a day as any to revisit our primer on corporate debt issuance given that it’s having an impact on bonds today. Alphabet announced a $25bln bond offering around 7:45am ET, and yields instantly moved 2bps higher. Before that, t…