Peace Deal Rumors Make For Mid-Day Reversal

Bonds started the day in fairly forgettable and slightly weaker fashion after overnight headlines suggested that the disposition of Iran's nuclear material remains a sticking point. Bonds were flat at weaker levels all morning. Then, just after 1pm, a different headline suggested a "draft agreement" was expected to be announced in a matter of hours. It listed several bullet points, but ironically, nuclear material was not on the list. Nonetheless, the bond market rallied into positive territory rather easily. As much of a head-scratcher as that is (why get excited if the nuclear sticking point remains?), there's no question about the reaction function with oil prices perfectly matching the bond yield move.