• Mixed Signals: Stocks are riding high on economic optimism, but bonds are telling a story of slower economic growth. This split view could lead to overall bearish surprises for equities should the bond market prove to be correct.

  • Rate Cuts on the Horizon?: The Fed is currently expected to cut rates by more than the ECB. Bond markets see the Fed cutting a lot in the next year, signaling some unease about the economic outlook, but seems strange when compared to EU growth and expected cuts from the ECB.

  • USD: The weak Dollar seems out of sync unless the US economy really starts to slow materially.

  • Market Moods: With stocks near peaks and bonds betting on a downturn, any further good news for equities might be hard to come by without clear economic gains.

    • Stocks: Might be too pricey unless the economy kicks up a notch.
    • Bonds: Could be overly gloomy unless the data starts to really deteriorate from here.
    • USD: Without a material economic downturn the Dollar's recent downside looks overdone. Interest rate differentials have already priced in a fair amount as well
Nordea chart of EURUSD and 2y yield diffs
Nordea chart of EURUSD and 2y yield diffs