We all know the Fed has short-term rates pinned to the floor. So I’m not saying we’ll see a surge higher anytime soon. And I don’t expect the FOMC to raise rates at its meeting next week.
In The Weeks To Come
But even a minor adjustment higher in rates should make prices retreat enough for a trade. I think we could see 30-year bond prices fall back near 144’00 in the coming weeks. June futures are breaking their nine-day MA (light blue line) as I write and stochastics are starting to roll over.
Capital Flows
A toppy 30-year Treasury echoes the “risk on” theme I wrote on yesterday. Capital flows go into risk assets -- commodities and equities -- and out of the perceived safe haven of Treasuries when the market is confident. It appears this is where we are now.
There are several ways to construct a bearish Treasury trade. I would be willing to have bearish exposure in both the long and short ends of the curve.
Trade Ideas
- Short June 30-yr bond futures and sell out-of-the-money puts 1:1.
- Short one (1) 30-yr bond and buy one (1) 10-yr note futures; NOB spread.
- Back Ratio Spread – Sell one (1) June 30-yr bond 147’00 put and buy four (4) June 30-yr bond 145’00 puts. The cost of this spread should be between $775 and $800. The idea is catch a 2-point move and liquidate sometime in the next two weeks. Do not hold until expiration unless prices collapse.
- Sell short long-dated Eurodollar futures (2015 and 2016 contracts).