Epoch's Hebner: There is 'cause for concern'

Quantitative tightening a risk

Global growth remains strong, the US unemployment rate is currently at multi-decade lows and default rates are showing no sign of nervousness.

Despite the positive signs, there is some cause for concern.  These same conditions also held true in 2007, just prior to the global financial crisis, and in 2000, when the dotcom bubble was about to burst. In fact, these conditions are almost always the case late in a cycle. The looming trifecta of quantitative tightening (QT), a deteriorating US budget position and the upcoming wall of maturities in Treasuries and corporate debt could well drive interest rates higher, thereby precipitating significant market dislocations. SocGen's Edwards: 10-year Treasury yields will fall to -1%...