The Lombard Review
Markets & Finance

The Treasury promises no more surprises

Forward guidance on coupon sizes

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which prints U.S. currency
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which prints U.S. currencyPhoto: Harrison Keely / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
1 min read Data: Q1 borrowing estimate $760bn

The US Treasury accomplished a masterclass in market psychology with its February quarterly refunding statement. Confronted with fixed-income anxiety over ballooning sovereign debt supply, the Treasury announced a total refunding size of $121 billion—in line with expectations—and delivered explicit forward guidance that it does not anticipate needing to increase nominal coupon auction sizes for at least several quarters.

The Manhattan skyline from Upper New York Bay
The Manhattan skyline from Upper New York BayPhoto: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

The Forward Guidance Tranquilizer

By promising that coupon issuance has reached an interim plateau, the Treasury removed the threat of supply-driven duration spikes that rattled bond markets throughout late 2023. Instead, the department will absorb marginal deficits by expanding short-term bill issuance. Janet Yellen has successfully pacified the bond vigilantes, buying precious time while relying on money market funds to finance sovereign deficits.

A $100,000 gold certificate, the largest U.S. note ever printed
A $100,000 gold certificate, the largest U.S. note ever printedPhoto: BrayLockBoy / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

The Treasury’s pledge of coupon issuance stability was a brilliant sedative for the sovereign bond market, temporarily capping duration supply while shifting financing risk into short-term bills.