Short-dated euro zone interest swap rates rose on Friday after US first quarter growth came in well below expectations renewing hopes the Federal Reserve may cut rates later in the year. However, a higher than expected reading on core PCE inflation capped the rally, as it was seen as limiting the Fed's room for manoeuvre.
Two-year swap rates were at 4.385 percent, from 4.379 percent on Thursday, while 10-year rates were at 4.470 from 4.479 percent on Thursday. Traders said that despite an initial pop higher, the market tone was now bearish. "The market initially looked at the headline number but then the bears got the upper hand," said a trader. "We've seen sellers coming back in and it feels very heavy. The market is not taking soft data very well at the moment and is selling-off on strong numbers."
A batch of upbeat euro zone economic data and a rally in stock markets has seen sentiment towards fixed income turn sour after a buoyant start to the week. The 2s-10s curve flattened to 8.7 basis points from 10.0 basis points on Thursday, while the 10s-30s curve was at 12 basis points from 12.4 basis points.
The long end of the curve has seen a flattening trend since late March, which has taken place while the wider market has been under some pressure. The spread over the 10-year Bund tightened to 24.2 basis points from 26.5 basis points.
Euribor interest rate futures were flat to a basis point lower across the June to December strip with December under-performing and now pricing in a around a 65 percent chance of euro zone interest rates hitting 4.25 percent by year-end.
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