US yields pare losses after solid retail sales
By Karen Brettell
July 16 (Reuters) -Longer-dated U.S. Treasury yields pared losses on Tuesday after better-than-expected U.S. retail sales data for June.
The yields were lower on the day, however, as investors balanced the likelihood of an impending Federal Reserve interest rate cut against possibly inflationary policies if Donald Trump wins the November U.S. presidential election.
Treasury yields have tumbled this month as softer jobs data and easing inflation boost the odds of a September rate cut. Traders are now pricing for two or possible three rate reductions by December. FEDWATCH
But, increasing odds of a Trump presidential victory and a still strong economy is offsetting some of that pricing.
U.S. retail sales were unchanged in June, and the underlying trend was strong, which could boost economic growth estimates for the second quarter.
"The Fed has seen a lot more encouraging data, both on the labor market and inflation side, which has allowed the market to price in a somewhat more aggressive Fed easing cycle," said Zachary Griffiths, senior investment grade strategist at CreditSights in Charlotte, North Carolina.
However, Griffiths added, "you have to balance that with the higher yield/steeper curve concern with a Trump victory and retail sales maybe taking some wind out of the sails of the lower growth, more disinflation, better balance in the labor market trade."
Trump is seen as the candidate more likely to win the election after surviving an assassination attempt on Saturday. Online betting site PredictIt showed bets of an election win at 69 cents for Trump, up from Friday's 60 cents, with a victory for Joe Biden at 24 cents.
Analysts have said that a Trump victory could lead to more inflation due to potential policies including tax cuts and tariffs.
Benchmark 10-year yields US10YT=RR were last down 2 basis points at 4.208% and two-year yields US2YT=RR rose 2 basis points to 4.47%.
The inversion in the closely watched two-year, 10-year Treasury yield curve widened to minus 26 basis points after reaching minus 22 basis points on Monday, US2US10=TWEB, the smallest inversion since January.
The gap between two-year and 30-year yields US2US30=TWEB was at minus 5 basis points, after turning positive on Monday for the first time since January.
Reporting by Karen Brettell; Editing by Will Dunham
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