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Trying To Wrap My Brain Around Negative Bond Yields

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  • derrybderryb Posts: 36,821 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @cohodk said:

    @derryb said:
    Why would anyone invest in anything that offers a negative return? Probably because they think the negative return will have more value than the currency at the time of yield payout. Talk about confidence in your currency, LOL. Another good sign for PMs.

    Well, silver has had a negative return over the last decade.

    And I'm still betting it will offer a better payout than the dollar when I cash in.

    "Interest rates, the price of money, are the most important market. And, perversely, they’re the market that’s most manipulated by the Fed." - Doug Casey

  • cohodkcohodk Posts: 19,123 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @derryb said:

    @cohodk said:

    @derryb said:
    Why would anyone invest in anything that offers a negative return? Probably because they think the negative return will have more value than the currency at the time of yield payout. Talk about confidence in your currency, LOL. Another good sign for PMs.

    Well, silver has had a negative return over the last decade.

    And I'm still betting it will offer a better payout than the dollar when I cash in.

    Time heals all wounds. Mostly.

    Excuses are tools of the ignorant

    Knowledge is the enemy of fear

  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,660 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @derryb said:

    @cohodk said:

    @derryb said:
    Why would anyone invest in anything that offers a negative return? Probably because they think the negative return will have more value than the currency at the time of yield payout. Talk about confidence in your currency, LOL. Another good sign for PMs.

    Well, silver has had a negative return over the last decade.

    And I'm still betting it will offer a better payout than the dollar when I cash in.

    Most of us have lots of bets spread around the great roulette wheel of the available investments.

    Sure, have some chips on silver, far far more than most players, but not nearly as many as derryb.

    Most of my concentration is in the stock market, rental real estate, and private equity as a founder and angel. Then numismatic coins then bullion, followed by Stuff like cars, art, artifacts, ets. So to answer jmski52, the interest rate on bonds and savings accounts hasn't mattered, relatively speaking. Its just the first safety net, and preserving capital and maintaining instant liquidity is far more important for those particular dollars than a percentage or two. Cashing rent checks and harvesting capital gains as passive income is doing the heavy lifting, off and on, for 40+ years

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • jmski52jmski52 Posts: 22,849 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Not following Stockman has been financially advantageous.

    I don't really "follow" anyone. I read a bit, I debate a bit, and I learn from that debate a bit. But mostly, I just do what Baley does, albeit on a smaller scale, and perhaps in a slightly different order of priority.

    But bonds - oh, I think that buying bonds right now is much akin to drinking hemlock.

    Q: Are You Printing Money? Bernanke: Not Literally

    I knew it would happen.
  • OverdateOverdate Posts: 7,008 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 10, 2019 4:27AM

    Here are two reasons that may help explain why inflation is muted and interest rates continue to trend lower:

    https://cnbc.com/2019/02/27/theres-been-a-mysterious-surge-in-100-bills-in-circulation-possibly-linked-to-global-corruption.html

    “The number of outstanding U.S. $100 bills has doubled since the financial crisis, with more than 12 billion of them across the world, according to the latest data from the Federal Reserve.”

    My take: This increase, coupled with a similar increase in $20 bills, amounts to a total increase of over $720 billion in physical U.S. currency over the last 10 years. The increased supply of currency reflects an increased worldwide demand for U.S. dollars (for a variety of reasons), and implies a much larger increase in demand for U.S. treasury bonds, which (so far) pay a positive interest rate. This heavy demand for official U.S. currency and debt instruments is outpacing newly issued supply, even at a $1 trillion rate of annual increase. This is putting upward pressure on treasury bond prices, and consequently is putting downward pressure on the interest rate these bonds pay.

    https://cnbc.com/2017/06/28/technology-is-the-hidden-driver-of-low-inflation-blackrocks-rieder.html

    “While granting that demographic shifts are part of the equation, BlackRock’s chief investment officer of global fixed income, Rick Rieder, argues that technological innovation tamps down profoundly on widespread price increases.”

    My take: A rapid increase in cost-lowering innovations across the entire world economy is driving prices down almost as fast as government printing presses are driving prices up. I expect this trend to continue and even accelerate. If it does, inflation and interest rates are likely to remain low, and perhaps even negative for “safe” securities such as U.S. treasury bonds.

    My Adolph A. Weinman signature :)

  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,660 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jmski52 said:

    But bonds - oh, I think that buying bonds right now is much akin to drinking hemlock.

    >
    Heh, I've thought that for a decade
    And I've been wrong almost the whole time 😉

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • ShadyDaveShadyDave Posts: 2,196 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @cohodk said:
    Yes, MsMorrisine, yields are too low and could be bubblicious, which if burst would result in higher yields. And thats actually a good thing.

    Depending on who you are and how financially independent you are, it may be a good thing. For the majority, I doubt it would be a good thing to happen.

  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 33,077 ✭✭✭✭✭

    We've had yields rise this month.

    The historic 30 year under 2% has seen it rise back over 2%. The 2-10 yield spread is comfortably not inverted.

    Panic over?

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • cohodkcohodk Posts: 19,123 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 11, 2019 2:11AM

    @ShadyDave said:

    @cohodk said:
    Yes, MsMorrisine, yields are too low and could be bubblicious, which if burst would result in higher yields. And thats actually a good thing.

    Depending on who you are and how financially independent you are, it may be a good thing. For the majority, I doubt it would be a good thing to happen.

    Rates at 3% are more beneficial to everyone than rates at -1%.

    And 4% would be better yet.

    No one. No one, benefits from negative rates.

    Excuses are tools of the ignorant

    Knowledge is the enemy of fear

  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 33,077 ✭✭✭✭✭

    nemefita is now a word

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • cohodkcohodk Posts: 19,123 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MsMorrisine said:
    nemefita is now a word

    If Trump can do it, then so can I. Lol

    I thought i had edited that. Lol

    Excuses are tools of the ignorant

    Knowledge is the enemy of fear

  • OverdateOverdate Posts: 7,008 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MsMorrisine said:
    We've had yields rise this month.

    The historic 30 year under 2% has seen it rise back over 2%. The 2-10 yield spread is comfortably not inverted.

    Panic over?

    The shorter maturities (1yr, 6mo, 3mo) are still above the 10yr in yield. Currently the 3mo is 1.962 while the 10yr is 1.713. That is still partially inverted even if the 2-10yr spread isn't. The lowest yield is the 5yr at 1.573.

    My Adolph A. Weinman signature :)

  • ShadyDaveShadyDave Posts: 2,196 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @cohodk said:

    No one. No one, benefits from negative rates.

    The people/entities issuing the debt at -1% definitely do benefit.... but I know I'm splitting hairs at this point.

  • maplemanmapleman Posts: 1,052 ✭✭✭✭✭

    BEWARE THE WAR ON CASH.

  • derrybderryb Posts: 36,821 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 11, 2019 5:55AM

    @cohodk said:

    No one. No one, benefits from negative rates.

    Except for financially irresponsible individuals and governments. And look for corporations to use negative interest loans to continue pumping the equity markets with further stock buybacks.

    Negative rates are the latest tool to delay the inevitable.

    "Interest rates, the price of money, are the most important market. And, perversely, they’re the market that’s most manipulated by the Fed." - Doug Casey

  • cohodkcohodk Posts: 19,123 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @derryb said:

    @cohodk said:

    No one. No one, benefits from negative rates.

    Except for financially irresponsible individuals and governments. And look for corporations to use negative interest loans to continue pumping the equity markets with further stock buybacks.

    Negative rates are the latest tool to delay the inevitable.

    No they dont. Negative rates breeds economic stagnation and even decline. Govts do not benefit from that in ways ranging from economic malaise, to dwpressed innovation to civil unrest.

    Corporate debt will not go negative.

    Excuses are tools of the ignorant

    Knowledge is the enemy of fear

  • derrybderryb Posts: 36,821 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Governments don't benefit from negative rates on their bonds?

    I said nothing about corporate debt going negative.

    "Interest rates, the price of money, are the most important market. And, perversely, they’re the market that’s most manipulated by the Fed." - Doug Casey

  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 33,077 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 11, 2019 10:59AM

    negative yielding corporate debt has already been issued in Europe.

    https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/30/investing/siemens-corporate-bond/index.html

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • derrybderryb Posts: 36,821 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MsMorrisine said:
    negative yielding corporate debt has already been issued in Europe.

    https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/30/investing/siemens-corporate-bond/index.html

    most likely because it has to compete with negative public debt.

    "Interest rates, the price of money, are the most important market. And, perversely, they’re the market that’s most manipulated by the Fed." - Doug Casey

  • cohodkcohodk Posts: 19,123 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 11, 2019 1:58PM

    @derryb said:
    Governments don't benefit from negative rates on their bonds?

    I said nothing about corporate debt going negative.

    No, they dont. Yes you did.

    Excuses are tools of the ignorant

    Knowledge is the enemy of fear

  • cohodkcohodk Posts: 19,123 ✭✭✭✭✭
  • cohodkcohodk Posts: 19,123 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MsMorrisine said:
    negative yielding corporate debt has already been issued in Europe.

    https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/30/investing/siemens-corporate-bond/index.html

    Issuing zero coupon bonds has been done for decades. Thats not the same as issuing a negative coupon. I know you know the difference.

    Excuses are tools of the ignorant

    Knowledge is the enemy of fear

  • jmski52jmski52 Posts: 22,849 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 12, 2019 5:37AM

    Lots of great commentary in this thread this morning...…..

    My take: A rapid increase in cost-lowering innovations across the entire world economy is driving prices down almost as fast as government printing presses are driving prices up.

    I agree with you halfways. I think agricultural productivity (and oil production) both drive prices down. Not so sure about innovation anymore, kinda depends on what types of innovation.

    @Baley, re: buying bonds & drinking hemlock - don'cha do it. You'll be sorry. :'(

    Rates at 3% are more beneficial to everyone than rates at -1%.
    And 4% would be better yet.
    No one. No one, benefits from negative rates.

    OMG, I agree with cohodk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    @cohodk said:
    No one. No one, benefits from negative rates.
    Except for financially irresponsible individuals and governments. And look for corporations to use negative interest loans to continue pumping the equity markets with further stock buybacks.
    Negative rates are the latest tool to delay the inevitable.

    I also agree with derryb.

    @derryb said:
    Governments don't benefit from negative rates on their bonds?
    I said nothing about corporate debt going negative.
    No, they dont. Yes you did.

    Yes they do. Yes you did.

    Issuing zero coupon bonds has been done for decades. Thats not the same as issuing a negative coupon. I know you know the difference.

    I don't know that zero coupon bonds allow for anything different than what the plethora of other types of bonds allow for already. Either way, financial derivatives should be outlawed and governmental casinos should operate openly - call it what it is.

    Q: Are You Printing Money? Bernanke: Not Literally

    I knew it would happen.
  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 33,077 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @cohodk said:

    @MsMorrisine said:
    negative yielding corporate debt has already been issued in Europe.

    https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/30/investing/siemens-corporate-bond/index.html

    Issuing zero coupon bonds has been done for decades. Thats not the same as issuing a negative coupon. I know you know the difference.

    technically, the talk of negative yield issuance has been as described - zero coupon but negative yield to maturity. they accomplish this buy charging more than the principal that will be returned. thus the talk of negative yields.

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • cohodkcohodk Posts: 19,123 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Those that think negative interest rates help govts do not see the damage tha is being done to the socio-economic constructs. That damage is orders of magnitude greater than interest not paid.

    In fact, jmski, if you truly believe a 3% interest rate would be better than negative rates, then this damage should be quite evident to you.

    Excuses are tools of the ignorant

    Knowledge is the enemy of fear

  • cohodkcohodk Posts: 19,123 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Zero coupon bonds are.not derivatives. They are simply bonds that do not make coupon payments but are issued at a discount to par value.

    The US govt has issued them for just about forever. In fact, if you've ever bought a savings bond, then you've bought a zero coupon bond.

    Excuses are tools of the ignorant

    Knowledge is the enemy of fear

  • jmski52jmski52 Posts: 22,849 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Zero coupon bonds are.not derivatives.

    True enough, but there's no reason that other bonds issued with a coupon wouldn't serve the same purpose.

    Those that think negative interest rates help govts do not see the damage tha is being done to the socio-economic constructs. That damage is orders of magnitude greater than interest not paid.
    In fact, jmski, if you truly believe a 3% interest rate would be better than negative rates, then this damage should be quite evident to you.

    Agreed. Negative interest rates issued by a government destroy the whole "time value of money" paradigm, which is in fact based upon reality. Nothing good will come of it.

    Q: Are You Printing Money? Bernanke: Not Literally

    I knew it would happen.
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