Leveraging Diverse Perspectives on Rising Rates

Just as the sudden shutdown of much of the global economy at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 was unprecedented, the expected recovery in 2021 is likely to be unique. Developed market central banks seem determined to maintain their extremely accommodative monetary policies, and fiscal stimulus in many countries—as evidenced most recently by the $1.9 trillion spending package in the U.S.—should make the economic rebound much more robust than previous recoveries. With the consumer saving rate at record highs in the U.S., pent-up demand could also help drive growth as accelerating vaccinations support economic reopening.

But what does this mean for financial markets? U.S. Treasury yields have increased markedly in early 2021, with the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note climbing from 0.93% at the end of December 2020 to around 1.70% by mid-March, near where they have hovered since. By placing a greater discount on future earnings, higher yields have helped accelerate the rotation away from higher-valuation, large-cap tech stocks, and toward value stocks.

Some of my colleagues see the rising rates as an indicator of meaningfully higher longer-term inflation expectations, while others view the move as simply a healthy reflection of the expected increase in growth as global economies recover. This range of perspectives can help portfolio managers evaluate the potential for scenarios that may not exactly align with their own outlook. Here’s what our investment professionals are saying.

Potential for Inflation to Exceed Anticipated Increase 

Economists widely expect inflation data to show relatively large price increases beginning in the second quarter in comparison with the year-earlier period, when consumer prices broadly fell. However, most see inflation settling at lower levels in the longer term.

Portfolio Manager Michael Sewell sees the potential for inflation to exceed even the broadly anticipated increase in 2021. This could cause consumers to adjust their expectations for inflation going forward, leading to structurally higher longer-term inflation levels.

Mike says that Treasury inflation protected securities (TIPS) would perform well in an environment where actual inflation exceeds market expectations. In terms of investors’ broad asset allocations, he believes that TIPS are an effective hedge against interest rate risk because they should outperform nominal (not inflation-adjusted) Treasuries in an environment where stronger growth and inflation concerns pressure nominal rates higher. In addition, he thinks that inflation protected bonds can potentially also act as a hedge against downturns in risk assets if inflation exceeds expectations and begins to pressure corporate profits.

Portfolio Allocations That Benefit From Inflation 

Similarly, Tim Murray, a capital markets strategist in our Multi-Asset Division, sees consumers exiting the pandemic with a remarkable savings glut, likely leading to a sudden increase in spending that could lead to rising prices. He anticipates that longer-term inflation will rise above the abnormally low levels seen over the past decade.

Tim recommends that investors consider increasing their portfolio allocations to asset classes that could benefit from higher inflation, including TIPS and value, small-cap, and emerging market equities. He also believes that “real assets”—which include natural resources and real estate equities—have the potential to maintain or gain value during periods of high inflation, making them useful hedges in an inflationary environment.

Yield Curve Could Steepen Further 

Although longer-term Treasury yields have increased this year, shorter-maturity yields have stayed relatively steady. As a result, the Treasury yield curve, which measures the difference between short- and long-term yields, has steepened.

Alex Obaza, portfolio manager of the Ultra-Short Term Bond Strategy, observes that the dynamics of yield curve steepening have changed since the global financial crisis (GFC). Prior to the GFC, the yield curve typically steepened when the Federal Reserve cut interest rates and short-term yields decreased in line with the federal funds rate. But the Fed slashed rates to near zero during the GFC, where they have generally stayed. The near-zero federal funds rate now holds short-term Treasury yields nearly steady as longer-maturity yields fluctuate in response to market expectations for economic growth and inflation.

Alex also analyzed post-GFC periods when the yield curve steepened and compared the size of those moves to the current trend. Although segments of the yield curve have steepened more than post-GFC averages (as of mid-March), Alex and diversified fixed income manager Steve Bartolini see room for the steepening to continue. They note that the economic backdrop is stronger than it was following the GFC and during other post-GFC periods of yield curve steepening, with a variety of metrics measuring employment and manufacturing, and inflation expectations increasing at a greater pace.

Focus on Stocks Increasing Their Dividends 

Portfolio Manager Tom Huber focuses on dividend growth stocks and acknowledges that inflationary pressure and higher interest rates could lure some income-seeking investors away from stocks where an above-average yield has typically accounted for the bulk of total returns. However, he concentrates on finding companies that are increasing their dividends, not just those with high dividends.

Tom says that, in fact, higher rates could boost some sectors, such as financials. Banks stand to benefit from an increase in lending activity as the economy recovers as well as from healthier net interest margins stemming from higher longer-term rates and a steeper yield curve. While these factors could temporarily boost most bank stocks, Tom tends to focus on company-specific drivers and characteristics that he believes can help position a financial institution for an extended period of sustained growth.

Higher Inflation Could Pressure Some EM Central Banks to Raise Rates 

Inflation could also affect emerging markets. Emerging markets bond manager Andrew Keirle expects the recovery in oil prices to push headline inflation rates moderately higher in EMs over the next few months. However, in his view, core inflation—which excludes food and energy—is likely to lag because it will take time for output gaps to close and activity to normalize.

Andy says that higher headline inflation data could spark a debate about whether EM central banks need to raise rates to help stem inflation, which has historically been a problem in many EMs. On balance, he thinks that most EM central banks will keep rates on hold this year unless they experience a substantial increase in longer-run core inflation. He notes that Brazil and the Czech Republic, which are already experiencing meaningful inflationary pressure, are potential exceptions where central banks could begin rate-hiking cycles.

Higher Yields Reflect Supportive Economic Backdrop 

So far, the Fed has been willing to look through the rising Treasury yields. Policymakers have not chosen to put downward pressure on long-term yields by changing the composition of the Fed’s quantitative easing purchases to focus on longer-maturity bonds. Chief International Economist Nikolaj Schmidt makes the case that the Fed is standing pat because the steepening yield curve simply reflects the supportive backdrop of economic reopening and aggressive expansionary fiscal stimulus.

Nikolaj also thinks that there may be a more subtle reason for the Fed’s inaction: Fed policymakers may be wary of creating a bond market bubble if they move to keep longer-term yields from reflecting the improving growth outlook. (Bond prices and yields move in opposite directions.) This would increase the risk of a disorderly sell-off in bonds when the central bank eventually moves to taper its accommodative policies.

Diversity of Views 

I believe that this diversity of perspectives on the implications of rising rates can give our active management approach an advantage in this highly unusual environment. The modern global economy had never experienced a downturn like that of 2020, and the extreme levels of fiscal and monetary stimulus provide the potential for an atypically fast recovery later in 2021. In my view, with this uncertain backdrop, this range of perspectives within T. Rowe Price should allow us to better navigate the possible market scenarios as the economic rebound evolves.

Important Information 

This material is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investment advice or a recommendation to take any particular investment action.

The views contained herein are those of the authors as of April 2021 and are subject to change without notice; these views may differ from those of other T. Rowe Price associates.

This information is not intended to reflect a current or past recommendation concerning investments, investment strategies, or account types; advice of any kind; or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities or investment services. The opinions and commentary provided do not take into account the investment objectives or financial situation of any particular investor or class of investor. Please consider your own circumstances before making an investment decision.

Information contained herein is based upon sources we consider to be reliable; we do not, however, guarantee its accuracy.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. All investments are subject to market risk, including the possible loss of principal. Diversification cannot assure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market. International investments can be riskier than U.S. investments due to the adverse effects of currency exchange rates, differences in market structure and liquidity, as well as specific country, regional, and economic developments. These risks are generally greater for investments in emerging markets. Investing in technology stocks entails specific risks, including the potential for wide variations in performance and usually wide price swings, up and down. Technology companies can be affected by, among other things, intense competition, government regulation, earnings disappointments, dependency on patent protection, and rapid obsolescence of products and services due to technological innovations or changing consumer preferences. All charts and tables are shown for illustrative purposes only.

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