Yield Curve – What It Is And Why It Is So Important?

What is a Yield Curve?

Interest rates for the bonds depend on the maturity and, thus, behave quite differently from other interest rates. A yield curve is used to portray this behavior of bonds’ interest rates. So, a yield curve is a graph that plots the interest rates at a point in time of the bonds with the same credit quality but varying maturity dates. It is also known as the term structure of interest rates.

The most commonly used yield curve compares three-month, two-year, five-year, 10-year, and 30-year US Treasury debt. It serves as a benchmark for other interest rates, like bank rates, mortgage rates, etc. The information on the yield curve rates is easily available on treasury’s interest rate websites on a daily basis.

Types of Yield Curve

There are three types of yield curves shapes:

Normal

In a normal-shaped yield curve, bonds with longer maturity have a higher yield than shorter-term bonds. This difference is due to the time-related risk. A normal shape is usually an indication of economic expansion.

Inverted

In an inverted-shaped yield curve, short-term yields are more than long-term yields. It can be a sign of an upcoming recession. A Duke University professor in the 1990s found the development of inverted yield curves before the last five U.S. recessions.

Flat or Humped

In a flat or humped yield curve, the short and long-term yields are close to each other. It usually serves as an indication of economic transition. When an economy moves from expansion to slower development or even recession, yields on longer-maturity bonds fall while yields on short-term securities likely go up. This results in a normal yield curve forming a flat one.

Yield Curve

Theories behind the Shape of the Yield Curve

There are mainly three theories that try to explain the logic behind the shape of the yield curves:

Expectations Theory

This theory says the expectations of rising interest lead to a positive yield curve.

Liquidity Preference Hypothesis

This theory says that investors prefer higher liquidity of short-term debt. So, any deviation from a normal curve is only a temporary thing.

Segmented Market Hypothesis

This theory believes that certain investors have a liking for certain maturity segments. Such behavior makes the curve a reflection of the current investment policies.

Importance of Yield Curve

Here are the various reasons why the yield curve is considered important:

Economic Health

Based on the shape of the yield curve as discussed above, it helps in determining the economy’s current and future position. The shape of the yield curve provides insights into the overall health and expectations of the economy. A normal or upward-sloping yield curve, where long-term rates are higher than short-term rates, is often indicative of a healthy and expanding economy. In contrast, an inverted yield curve, where short-term rates exceed long-term rates, can be a warning sign of an impending economic downturn.

Market Expectations

The treasury yield curve serves as a benchmark for other market instruments. The yield curve reflects market expectations regarding future interest rates. Investors and financial institutions closely monitor the yield curve to gauge potential changes in monetary policy. If the yield curve indicates rising interest rates, it may suggest that investors anticipate higher inflation or a tightening of monetary policy by central banks.

Risk Assessment

The yield curve plays a vital role in assessing the risk associated with different investments. Typically, longer-term bonds carry higher interest rates to compensate for the increased risk of holding debt over an extended period. By analyzing the yield curve, investors can make informed decisions about balancing risk and reward in their investment portfolios.

Credit Conditions

The yield curve also influences credit conditions within the economy. Banks and lending institutions often use the yield curve as a benchmark for setting interest rates on loans. Changes in the yield curve can affect borrowing costs for consumers and businesses, impacting their ability to access credit and invest in new projects.

Yield Spread Analysis

The yield curve enables the analysis of yield spreads, such as the difference between short-term and long-term interest rates. Yield spreads provide insights into market sentiment and can be indicators of potential market volatility or changes in investor risk appetite. For example, a narrowing yield spread may indicate increased economic uncertainty or a potential economic slowdown. A general rule of thumb is closer the yields, the more confident the investors are in the other bond. Also, the spread usually widens during recessions and contracts during an economic recovery.

Factors Influencing Yield Curve

Different factors impact the movement on either end of the yield curves. Short-term interest rates – or “the short end” of the yield curve – are influenced by the expectations for the U.S. Federal Reserve policy or, in general, what the government will do in the future. When the Fed is expected to raise the interest rate, the short-term rates rise, while the rates drop when a cut is expected.

Long-term bonds – or the “long end” of the curve – are also, to some extent, affected by the Fed policy expectations. Other factors, however, also play a role in the movement of long-term yields. Such factors are the outlook for economic growth, inflation, supply and demand, and investors’ overall attitudes toward risk.

Usually, factors like low inflation, depressed risk appetites, and slower growth support the price performance of long-term bonds. Or, we can say cause the yields to fall. While higher inflation, elevated risk appetites, and higher inflation cause the yield to rise. Together, all these factors help to shape the direction of the long-term bonds.

How to Benefit from It?

The shape of the yield curves offers investors an insight into short-term interest rates and economic growth. Though they are not a sure shot, they can provide guidance when properly used. Also, it must be noted that yield curves are more helpful to short-term investors. A long-term approach for a bond investor must always be based on specific objectives instead of technical indicators like the yield curve.

Short-term investors can make a profit by reading the shape of the curve and then adjusting their positions based on that. However, predicting how the yield curve may change is a very difficult task.



Sanjay Borad

Sanjay Bulaki Borad

MBA-Finance, CMA, CS, Insolvency Professional, B'Com

Sanjay Borad, Founder of eFinanceManagement, is a Management Consultant with 7 years of MNC experience and 11 years in Consultancy. He caters to clients with turnovers from 200 Million to 12,000 Million, including listed entities, and has vast industry experience in over 20 sectors. Additionally, he serves as a visiting faculty for Finance and Costing in MBA Colleges and CA, CMA Coaching Classes.

1 thought on “Yield Curve – What It Is And Why It Is So Important?”

  1. Statistics interpretation of the graphs can be very difficult to forecast the actual economic activities especially on the informal section of any entity or any country. It can look very applausable on the graphic presentation, but it can be very untrue.

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