The yield on the benchmark government note showed a significant drop on Tuesday, indicating a cooling economy, as recent data revealed fewer job openings than anticipated.
Yield Movement and Impact
The 10-year Treasury yield, which influences mortgage and credit card interest rates, declined from Monday’s level of 4.259% to 4.171%. If it closes at this level, it will surpass the September closing low of 4.173%. Comparatively, the 200-day moving average stands at 4.017%, and the intraday low in September was 4.058%.
Lower bond yields make stocks more attractive for investors and reduce borrowing costs for individuals looking for mortgages or other loans.
Job Openings Data and its Significance
The decrease in yield followed the release of the latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The report showed a seasonally adjusted 8.73 million job openings in October, falling short of the expected 9.3 million. Job openings dropped from 9.35 million in September and 10.47 million in October 2022.
This labor market and inflation data are closely monitored by officials at the Federal Reserve, who have implemented 11 interest rate hikes since early 2022 to combat inflation.
Signs of a Strong Economy
While the job openings data may suggest a slightly weaker job market, the layoff rate remained unchanged at 1%, according to the report released on Tuesday. This figure mirrors pre-pandemic levels and is considered “perhaps the biggest sign that we still have a strong economy and labor market,” as stated by Sonu Varghese, Global Macro Strategist at Carson Group.
Keep updated with the latest economic news and trends to stay informed about the ever-changing financial landscape.