The Dow Jones dropped by more than one percent on September 3 following several weakened futures trading sessions, dropping 285 points as the U.S. and China imposed additional sanctions over the weekend, triggering conversations about a possible recession.
As investors continue to explore alternative stores of value and safe havens, strategists anticipate the bond yield in the U.S. to drop to sub-zero, following Japan and Germany.
Speaking to FT, Janus Henderson co-head of global bonds said:
“We could see zero. The probability is increasing, particularly as we drop so rapidly.”
Sub-zero 10-year Treasury yield would indicate increasing fear and uncertainty in both global markets and the U.S. equities market, which could result in a slump for the Dow and a possible recession if the Federal Reserve does not respond with additional rate cuts by the year’s end.
Dow losing momentum as global markets struggle, recession possible?
According to Chris Rupkey, MUFG Union Bank’s chief financial economist, the manufacturing sector has entered into a recession and the confidence of manufacturers has noticeably dropped as the trade dispute between the U.S. and China intensified in recent weeks.
“The manufacturing sector has broken and is now in a recession. The US trade war with the world has blown open a great big hole in manufacturers’ confidence, and it will be a miracle if the broader economy can continue to roll on with manufacturing in decline,” he said.
However, with many economists believing that much of the trade dispute is already priced into the market, as long as the benchmark interest rate remains low for the foreseeable future, some state that the U.S. economy and the Dow Jones will likely sustain its current trend throughout the year’s end, avoiding a recession.
Citigroup rates strategist Bill O’Donnell noted that the Fed is unlikely to raise the interest rate due to rising geopolitical risks and with the strong labor market, the Dow and the rest of the equities market may not see a large plunge or recession anticipated by investors.
O’Donnell said:
“One thing that is very clear to me in the midst of all of this cacophony of headlines is that there is absolutely no indication that rates are set to rise from here. Right now stocks are still not far from their record highs, the labour market looks to be in really solid condition and the US economy is still doing fine.”
Most investors expect the Dow Jones to show short term weakness throughout the week but in consideration of strong fundamentals, unless the bond yield drops to sub-zero and the prospect of a trade deal is completely ruled out after the next round of talks, strategists are skeptical towards a full blown recession.