- According to Bank of America Global Research, the United States is experiencing the ‘greatest bond bear market of all time,’ with a 50% peak-to-trough loss in 30-year yields.
- The recent oversold conditions in the bond market bear some resemblance to the early 2021 environment. Following that period, Bitcoin reached record levels above $60,000.
- Despite these somewhat encouraging factors, strategists at Bank of America led by Michael Hartnett maintain a rather bearish stance on risky assets.
Bank of America Global Research has evaluated the current outlook for U.S. bonds and examined its potential impact on Bitcoin; Is a crash approaching?
BofA Analysts Analyze the State of Bonds
According to Bank of America Global Research, the United States is experiencing the ‘greatest bond bear market of all time,’ with a 50% peak-to-trough loss in 30-year yields. The selling wave in U.S. Treasuries has left bond prices significantly discounted relative to their 200-day simple moving averages, with yields soaring to multi-year highs.
Historically, an oversold Treasury market has often foreshadowed significant volatility in other financial markets, including cryptocurrencies. Bank of America analysts cited previous examples such as the October 1987 crash, the May 1994 Tequila crisis, and even the crypto surge in March 2021.
The recent oversold conditions in the bond market bear some resemblance to the early 2021 environment. Following that period, Bitcoin reached record levels above $60,000 but eventually dropped to as low as $30,000 by the end of May. As of the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading precariously around $27,950, and if history repeats itself, we may see significant price movements in the near future.
However, it’s not all gloom. While 30-year Treasury yields have risen above 5% for the first time since 2007, causing concern among investors, shorter-term notes like 2-year Treasuries have seen a decline in yields and corresponding inflows. The report also noted that equity funds had inflows of $3.3 billion in the last week.
Strategists’ View: Bear Market Expectation
Despite these mitigating factors, strategists at Bank of America, led by Michael Hartnett, maintain a rather bearish stance on risky assets. The bank suggests that we could be facing a sharp downturn, citing the ‘price of money’ and the regime of ‘persistently high interest rates’ as reasons.
For Bitcoin traders and traditional investors alike, signals from the U.S. Treasury market are too strong to ignore. Be cautious as it mimics previous conditions before triggering increased volatility. Whether you’re a long-term holder of Bitcoin or diversifying your portfolio, keep a close eye on Treasury yields – your portfolio’s stability may depend on it.
