Japanese and US bond rates are flashing red
Bond markets in the US and Japan are flashing warning signs, which is bad news for stocks, the dollar, and anyone holding leveraged assets.
- The US 10-year Treasury yield hit a one-year high, and Japan's 30-year bond is at a record high, meaning investors want more to lend governments money.
- Japan has hinted it may sell its huge stash of US bonds to defend the yen, which would push US yields even higher and shake the dollar.
- Trouble in bonds usually shows up in stocks next, and US stocks are sitting at all-time highs with lots of borrowed money behind them.
- If stocks fall, gold, silver, and crypto are likely to fall too because they are tied to the same leveraged trades.
- The setup looks like 1929, when heavy debt after a pandemic-era boom led to a crash, except today markets move much faster.
Outlook: Expect more stress in bonds soon, and a stock pullback could follow quickly if Japan starts dumping US Treasuries.