Treasuries: Why I Sold The Long End

Published 01/08/2013, 02:53 AM
Updated 07/09/2023, 06:31 AM
BARC
-
TLT
-
NOTE
-

My bond strategy has always had a position in the iShares Barclays 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) until last week. TLT, composed of long Treasuries, is a hedge against deflation, and has made money for my clients.

I changed last week because of significant disagreements at the Fed regarding the duration of QE, and also the selloff in the long end breaking my price drop limits. Also, it is worthy of note that each Fed intervention is leading to smaller results. In the process, I made more money from my credit-sensitive investments than I lost from TLT.

With stocks, I am not a technician or an active trader. With bonds, I am both. Why?

Bonds are more determinate than stocks and the tradeoffs are clearer. Bonds are promises to pay under certain conditions. Those conditions can be analyzed more readily than the open-ended conditions of stocks.

At this point in time, I am taking limited domestic credit risks, and taking larger risks in the emerging markets, where economic policy is more orthodox then it is here.

But beyond that, I have pulled in my horns, and have reduced interest rate risk. If I see opportunities, I will act on them, but I am taking far less risk than previously.

Latest comments

Loading next article…
Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.