New Year’s Then and Now, Steeper is Better?

Today’s yield curve is striking for it’s “normality”, ie. it is uninverted and fairly steep. One year ago today, the 2, 5 and 10 year treasury yields were bunched together, all within about 10 bps (2.55%, 2.58% 2.67%). The yield curve then inverted in August as the 10 year dipped below the 2 year yield. Today’s yield curve (1.57%, 1.65%, 1.87%) indicates confidence in the economy (high 10 year yield) and in the Fed’s promise to stand pat with no rate increase this year (lower 2 year yield). So 2020 begins with lower rates and a healthier curve. With low delinquency rates, an active secondary market, large allocations from portfolio lenders, and overall solid fundamentals, 2020 looks like another big year for commercial mortgage loan volume. For example, the Mortgage Bankers Association predicts an all time high in multifamily lending in 2020. Commercial activity is also predicted to be strong, with the notable exception that lenders are cautious on retail. As the economic recovery goes into year 11, it’s noteworthy that markets basically shrugged off potential escalation of conflict in the mid-East and uncertainty about U.S. China trade resolution.  Stay tuned. By David R. Pascale, Jr. , Senior Vice President at George Smith Partners