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The Debt Ceiling – Posturing, Bluffing, and Brinkmanship
May 26, 2023
- Debt Ceiling 101
- Consequences of defaulting
If you’re hearing “I Got You Babe” playing on your alarm clock, it’s because it is indeed Groundhog Day, and we are talking about the debt ceiling once again. The United States debt ceiling has become the topic du jour for markets as a default looms with a resolution still in the works. Analyst estimates for when a default could occur are clearly defined, ranging from June 1 to June 8. The political posturing from both Democrats and Republicans has caused recent volatility of the treasury market as talks of an agreement come and go.
Debt Ceiling 101
The current debt ceiling is set at $31.4 trillion. There has been a marked run-up in debt this century: Since 2001, the U.S. has spent nearly $1 trillion more than it receives in taxes and revenue. While brinkmanship on both sides of the aisle around raises is nothing new, this issue has become a renewed source of political gridlock in recent years, primarily as Republicans have tried to use the debt ceiling as a bargaining chip to extract spending concessions from Democrats. When the debt ceiling is reached, the government is essentially out of money and may be unable to pay its bills, which could lead to it being forced to make cuts to essential programs, such as Social Security and Medicare, until the debt ceiling is raised.
Current Posturing
President Biden and House Speaker McCarthy have been engaged in ongoing negotiations regarding the debt ceiling, but a resolution has not yet been found. Major sticking points of the negotiations include unspent Covid-19 relief funds, student loan forgiveness, federal budget caps, reforming energy permitting, and work requirements for some recipients of federal aid. With the default date looming and negotiations ongoing, the market has begun to price in the possibility of a default, with treasury yields and credit default swaps rising in price.
Consequences of Default
A default on national debt would have an extreme impact on the global economy and U.S. credit worthiness. A default could cause a devaluation of the U.S. dollar, and a loss in investor confidence in the government’s ability to repay its debts could cause a sell-off of U.S. assets, including Treasury bonds. An increase in interest rates would further stall the U.S. economy, as business would face an even more expensive cost of debt.
On Wednesday, ratings agency Fitch put the United States’ credit on negative watch as a precursor to a possible downgrade. The Standard and Poor’s (S&P) rating had been previously downgraded during the 2011 debt ceiling debacle. If Fitch does ultimately downgrade, that would leave the United States with only one major rating agency giving the debt the highest AAA rating. Unfortunately, the fact that S&P had previously downgraded U.S. debt without any lasting consequences has emboldened some lawmakers into believing that they could successfully default for a short period of time without dire outcomes.
Meanwhile, the mere possibility of default is pushing up Treasury yields. As Treasury yields are the principal index for almost every sector of fixed rate borrowing, the consequences have become immediately apparent in financing activities. U.S. 10-year yields are up nearly 45 basis points in the last two weeks, and shorter-term yields, like the two-year and five-year, are up more than 55 basis points.
This run-up in yields, which would only be amplified by a true default, should also be putting more pressure on mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and U.S. Treasuries currently held on bank balance sheets. Lower coupon bonds purchased over the past several years will face steeper mark-to-market losses on these securities, a key factor involved in bank collapses this year.
According to whitehouse.gov, “An actual breach of the U.S. debt ceiling would likely cause severe damage to the U.S. economy. Analysis by CEA and outside researchers illustrates that if the U.S. government were to default on its obligations—whether to creditors, contractors, or citizens—the economy would quickly shift into reverse, with the depth of the losses a function of how long the breach lasted. A protracted default would likely lead to severe damage to the economy, with job growth swinging from its current pace of robust gains to losses numbering in the millions.”
U.S. National Debt Outstanding
Estimated Economic Effects of Debt Ceiling Standoff Q3 2023
Without resorting to apocalyptic scenarios—which are not all that hard to imagine—nothing about the debt ceiling debacle is very palatable. In every finance class, U.S. Treasury securities are held up as the risk-free rate of return. If you want to take something that is so universally well regarded and held in such esteem and tarnish it, all you need to do is allow polarized politicians to use it as a political football. The debt ceiling has been raised 78 times without default since its inception in 1917. For the global economy’s sake, let’s hope we make it to 79.
This commentary and any statements, information, data and content contained therein, and any materials, information, images, links, sounds, graphics or video provided in conjunction with this document (collectively “Materials”) has been prepared for informational purposes or general guidance on matters of interest only, and does not constitute professional advice, advertising or a solicitation. The Materials are of a general nature and not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. You should not act upon the information contained in the Materials without obtaining specific professional advice. As such, nothing herein constitutes legal, financial, business, investment or tax advice and you should consult your own legal, financial, tax, investment or other professional advisor(s) before engaging in any activity in connection herewith. The information in the Materials is not a substitute for a thorough due diligence investigation. No representation or warranty (express or implied) is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in the Materials, and, to the extent permitted by law, Berkadia Commercial Mortgage LLC ( together with its affiliates, the “Company”) neither accept nor assume any liability, responsibility or duty of care for any consequences of you or anyone else acting, or refraining to act, in reliance on the Materials or for any decision based on them. No part of the Materials is to be copied, reproduced, distributed or disseminated in any way without the prior written consent of the Company.
Questions? Contact us.
Josh Bodin
Senior Vice President
Securities Trading
josh.bodin@berkadia.com
Steve Bevilacqua
Assistant Vice President
Securities Trading
steve.bevilacqua@berkadia.com
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