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TLT

UPDATE: TLT December 19th 90 Covered CallsThis is a continuation of a long-running TLT covered call setup that I started out in April of 2025 (See Post Below) with my current break even shown which I'm doing an update on. I've generated 6.50 ($650) in free cash flow to date in short call premium + dividends on a buying power effect that was a 92.13 debit/contract when I opened it. Sitting on my hands here, waiting to roll out the short calls when they're in profit or alternatively to take profit on the setup at or near max and then reset.
NASDAQ:TLTLong
by NaughtyPines
Long TLT/SPY📌 Bonds Explained: What They Are, How They Work & Key Risks Bonds are one of the oldest and most important financial instruments in global markets. They are used by governments, corporations, and institutions to raise money, and by investors to earn income, diversify portfolios, and manage risk. At their core, a bond is a loan: The issuer (borrower) raises capital by selling bonds. The investor (lender) provides money in exchange for periodic interest payments (coupon payments) and the return of the principal (face value) at maturity. 🔹 1. What is a Bond? When you buy a bond, you are lending money to the issuer. The issuer promises: Interest payments (usually fixed) on a regular schedule (semiannual or annual). Repayment of principal (the original investment amount) when the bond matures. 📌 Example: You invest $1,000,000 in a 10-year bond paying 3% annually (semiannual coupons). Every 6 months, you receive $15,000 in interest payments. At the end of 10 years, you (hopefully) receive back your original $1,000,000 principal. 🔹 2. Why Do Companies and Governments Issue Bonds? Governments → Fund infrastructure, social programs, defense, or refinance existing debt. Corporations → Finance expansion, research, acquisitions, or refinance loans. Municipalities → Build schools, hospitals, and roads. Bonds allow issuers to access large pools of capital without giving up ownership (like stocks). 🔹 3. Why Do Investors Buy Bonds? Stable Income: Regular coupon payments. Capital Preservation: Return of principal at maturity (assuming no default). Diversification: Bonds often behave differently from stocks, balancing risk. Hedging Inflation/Interest Rates: Certain bonds (like TIPS) protect against inflation. Relative Safety: High-quality government bonds are considered safe-haven assets. 🔹 4. Key Types of Bonds Government Bonds Issued by sovereign states. Example: U.S. Treasuries, UK Gilts, German Bunds. Generally low risk, lower yields. Corporate Bonds Issued by companies. Higher yields than government bonds but higher risk. Municipal Bonds Issued by local governments or agencies. Often come with tax benefits for investors. High-Yield (Junk) Bonds Issued by lower-credit issuers. Higher potential returns, but much riskier. Inflation-Protected Bonds Coupon/principal linked to inflation. Example: U.S. TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities). 🔹 5. Three Main Risks of Investing in Bonds Even though bonds are often seen as “safe,” they carry risks that investors must understand: 1️⃣ Credit Risk (Default Risk) The issuer may fail to pay coupons or repay the principal. Higher with corporate bonds and emerging market government bonds. Mitigated by credit ratings (Moody’s, S&P, Fitch). 📌 Example: If a company defaults, you may lose part or all of your investment. 2️⃣ Interest Rate Risk Bond prices move inversely to interest rates. If rates rise, existing bond prices fall (since new bonds offer better yields). If you sell before maturity, you could face a loss. 📌 Example: You bought a 10-year bond at 3%. A year later, rates rise to 5%. Your bond’s market value falls, because investors prefer newer bonds paying higher coupons. 3️⃣ Inflation Risk (Purchasing Power Risk) Even if you hold the bond to maturity, rising inflation erodes the real value of your returns. A 3% coupon loses attractiveness if inflation rises to 6%. 📌 Example: Your bond pays $30,000 annually, but inflation pushes up costs by $40,000 per year → you are effectively losing purchasing power. 🔹 6. Bonds vs. Stocks Bonds: Debt, fixed income, contractual obligation, lower risk, limited upside. Stocks: Equity ownership, dividends (optional), higher risk, unlimited upside. In a company bankruptcy, bondholders are paid before shareholders. 🔹 7. How Investors Use Bonds in Portfolios Income generation: Retirees and pension funds rely on coupon payments. Diversification: Bonds often rise when stocks fall, reducing portfolio volatility. Risk management: Safe-haven bonds (like Treasuries) act as “insurance” during crises. Speculation: Traders can bet on interest rate moves via bond futures and ETFs. 🔹 8. Bonds vs. Stocks: The TLT–SPY Correlation One of the most widely followed relationships in global markets is the correlation between: TLT → iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (tracks long-dated U.S. Treasury bonds). SPY → SPDR S&P 500 ETF (tracks U.S. equities). 📈 Historical Relationship Over the past two decades, TLT and SPY have often moved in opposite directions. (The Correlation between SPY/TLT often hovers around 0.) Why? When stocks sell off, investors typically seek safety in Treasuries, pushing bond prices up (yields down). This negative correlation makes bonds a powerful diversifier in equity-heavy portfolios (60/40). 📌 Example: 2008 Financial Crisis → SPY plunged ~37%, while long-dated Treasuries (TLT) surged as investors fled to safety. March 2020 COVID Crash → SPY fell ~34% peak-to-trough, TLT spiked ~20% as the Fed cut rates and investors piled into Treasuries. 🐂 Strategy #1 (MA): Buy SPY when TLT crosses below the 95 MA. Sell SPY when TLT crosses above the 95 MA. 🔄 But the Correlation Can Shift In inflationary environments, bonds and stocks can fall together. 2022 is a perfect example: Inflation spiked → Fed hiked rates aggressively. TLT dropped ~30% (yields surged). SPY also fell ~19%. Both asset classes sold off simultaneously, breaking the hedge. 🐂 Strategy #2 (Re-Balancing): Buy TLT at the close of the seventh last trading day of the month. Sell TLT at the close of the last trading day of the month. Sell TLT short at the close of the month. Cover TLT at the close of the seventh trading day of the month. Higher Returns after rate hikes. 📊 Why This Matters for Investors In normal times: TLT acts as a counterweight to SPY, smoothing portfolio volatility. In inflationary shocks: Both can decline, reducing diversification benefits. Lesson: Don’t assume bonds will always hedge equities — context (inflation, Fed policy, growth cycles) matters. 📌 Practical Uses of the TLT–SPY Correlation Portfolio Diversification A 60/40 portfolio (60% stocks, 40% bonds) relies on the negative correlation. Works best when inflation is low and stable. Risk-On / Risk-Off Gauge If both SPY and TLT rise → markets are calm, liquidity flows into both risk and safety. If SPY falls while TLT rises → classic risk-off move (flight to safety). If both fall → inflation or policy tightening environment (no safe haven). Trading Signals Divergence trades: When SPY rallies but TLT also rallies strongly, it may signal equity rally exhaustion (risk-off brewing). Macro hedge: Long TLT positions can offset downside risk in SPY-heavy portfolios — but only in disinflationary or deflationary shocks. 🔹 9. EWJ–TLT Correlation: Japan Equities vs. U.S. Treasuries EWJ → Tracks Japanese equities (large & mid-cap companies). TLT → Tracks U.S. long-dated Treasuries. Unlike the classic SPY–TLT inverse correlation, the EWJ–TLT relationship is more complex, shaped by: Global risk sentiment (risk-on/risk-off flows). Currency effects (USD/JPY exchange rate). Japan’s ultra-low interest rate environment (BoJ policy). 📈 Historical Tendencies 1️⃣ Risk-Off Periods (Global crises → flight to safety): TLT rallies (U.S. Treasuries bid). EWJ often falls, as Japanese equities are highly cyclical and export-driven. Negative correlation dominates. 📌 Example: 2008 Crisis → TLT surged; EWJ plunged with global equities. 2020 COVID Crash → Same pattern: safety flows to Treasuries, Japanese stocks sold. 2️⃣ Risk-On Periods (Liquidity, global growth optimism): EWJ rallies with global equities. TLT may drift lower (yields rising on stronger growth). Correlation weak to moderately negative. 📌 Example: 2016–2018: Global growth rebound → EWJ rose, TLT fell as U.S. yields climbed. 3️⃣ Currency Channel (USD/JPY) Japanese equities (EWJ) are sensitive to the yen. A stronger USD/JPY (weaker yen) boosts exporters (good for EWJ). TLT rallies often coincide with USD weakness (yields down, dollar down), which can hurt Japanese exporters, adding another layer of inverse correlation. 🔄 Shifts Over Time Long-term average correlation: Mildly negative (similar to SPY–TLT, but weaker). During inflation shocks (2022): Correlation turned positive at times: TLT fell as U.S. yields spiked. EWJ also struggled due to global tightening & yen weakness. Both moved down together, breaking the hedge. 📊 Why EWJ–TLT Matters Global Diversification Check: Investors often think Japanese equities diversify U.S. equities, but they can be just as cyclical. Adding TLT creates the real hedge. Risk-Off Signal: When both EWJ and TLT rise, it may indicate global liquidity easing (rare but bullish). Currency Overlay: Always factor USD/JPY → sometimes EWJ’s move is more about currency than equities. 🐂 Strategy #3 (EWJ): When Japanese stocks are above their 150-day moving average, go long TLT (US long-term Treasury). When the average is below the 150-day average, stay out. The correlation between TLT and EWJ can serve as a breath signal. 📌 Conclusion: Bonds as the Foundation of Finance Bonds are the backbone of the global financial system, connecting borrowers (governments, corporations) with lenders (investors). ✅ Bonds provide regular income and capital preservation. ✅ They carry risks: credit, interest rate, and inflation. ✅ They are essential for diversification and risk management. ✅The TLT–SPY correlation is dynamic. Historically negative, providing diversification. In inflationary shocks (like 2022), the correlation turns positive, breaking the hedge. ✅ EWJ–TLT is a Global Macro Hedge, But Fragile. Usually inverse: Risk-off = TLT up, EWJ down. Sometimes aligned: Inflation shocks or synchronized global tightening → both down. Currency filter essential: USD/JPY often mediates the relationship. This makes EWJ–TLT correlation a powerful barometer of global macro regimes: Disinflationary slowdowns → Strong hedge. Inflationary crises → Hedge breaks. For investors, understanding bonds is crucial, even if you primarily trade equities or commodities, because bond yields influence everything: stock valuations, mortgage rates, and even currency markets.
NASDAQ:TLTEducation
by GabrielAmadeusLau
1
Bond Bulls Smell Blood: 20-Year Yields Likely to Fall🧩 Fundamental Bear Case for 20-Year Yields 1. Recession Risk and Slowing Growth Leading economic indicators (e.g., ISM Manufacturing, Conference Board LEI) continue to suggest softening demand across key sectors. A recession or significant slowdown would drive capital into long-duration Treasuries, causing yields to fall as bond prices rise. Historically, 20-year yields fall 200–300bps from cycle peaks during recessions. With yields near 5%, there is ample downside room. 2. Federal Reserve Policy Pivot The Fed’s hiking cycle appears to be at or near its terminal point. Rate cuts in 2025 are increasingly priced in, especially as inflation moderates. If inflation continues to decelerate toward the Fed’s 2% target while growth slows, the Fed may be forced to ease sooner or more aggressively than expected. Long-duration bonds, including the 20Y, are highly sensitive to forward rate expectations and would benefit from a dovish pivot. 3. Disinflationary Trends Core inflation metrics (e.g., Core PCE, Core CPI) are in year-over-year decline. Key disinflationary forces: Wage pressures have eased as labor markets normalize. Housing costs, which lag in CPI data, are projected to fall further. Supply chain normalization continues post-COVID. These factors reduce the need for elevated long-term yields, especially with inflation expectations anchored. 4. Supply-Demand Dynamics Favor Treasuries Despite large Treasury issuance, global demand remains strong: Foreign buyers (e.g., Japan, EU) seek higher yields as their home rates remain low or negative. U.S. institutions (pensions, insurance funds) are rebalancing into risk-free long bonds amid equity volatility. A risk-off rotation or broader de-leveraging cycle would only accelerate this demand. 🔍 Technical Summary Rising wedge pattern is nearing a potential breakdown — a bearish structure signaling exhaustion. Price is failing to reclaim the previous uptrend channel, now acting as resistance. A completed harmonic AB=CD pattern near recent highs suggests a mean-reverting move could be imminent. Closest technical targets include: 4.33% (23.6% Fib) 3.68% (38.2% Fib) Possibly even 3.16% (50% retracement) over the next 6–12 months if macro weakness persists. 📌 Bottom Line The combination of: Cooling inflation A Fed pivot on the horizon Rising recession risk And technical exhaustion signals Supports a bearish outlook for 20-year yields, meaning bond prices (especially long-duration instruments like TMF or TLT) could appreciate meaningfully from here.
TVC:US20YShort
by JoshuaDanford
TLT short - warning signs from JapanTLT is making 20-day lows (red candles in the main chart), while continuing to make 20-week lows on a weekly chart (not shown). Meanwhile, looking at a proxy of net buying/selling (bottom panel), we have flipped from buying to selling. Looking at Japanese bond yields, 10-year JGBs (JP10Y) just broke out of tight range. This is the third attempt to trade above ~1.59% recently, which we saw earlier today. As Japan's is one of the world's leading overseas investors, this is an obvious warning sign for bonds globally. There is good risk/reward to short bonds here, with a stop-loss if the price closes at a 20-day high. If a 20-day high is made, the candles will change color from red to green. Both indicators (Breakout Trend and Buying/Selling Proxy) are available for free on TradingView.
NASDAQ:TLTShort
by TiltFolio
Bottom in for bonds, flight to safety trade coming soon $100+If we look at the chart of TLT, you can see that we're forming a bottoming reversal pattern. We had a spike low down to $83 back to the middle of May and have now reclaimed the structure. I think that move marked the bottom. I think it's very likely that bonds spike in the near future, if they can make it over the $92 resistance level, then I think price will see continuation and likely break the pattern finding the first resistance at that $101 level. That said, I think this is the start of a larger move higher in bonds that will take us all the way up to the top resistance levels over the course of the next few years before the move is done and we start the long term trend in rates higher.
NASDAQ:TLTLong
by benjihyam
How Will Uncle Sam Strike Back? – U.S. Treasuries on the Edge📉 How Will Uncle Sam Strike Back? – U.S. Treasuries on the Edge After covering leveraged loans ( BKLN ), junk bonds ( HYG ), and investment-grade corporates ( LQD ), we now focus on the most important piece of the U.S. credit puzzle: Treasuries. Specifically, the long end of the curve — tracked by TLT . 📊 What the Chart Shows Left Panel (3D Chart) • All-time highs in Feb 2020 at $179.80 • Long-term trendline going back to 2004 • Critical support was broken in 2022 — a structural breakdown Right Panel (8H Chart) • Clear descending channel since 2020 • Price has rejected from the channel top multiple times • Recent bounces off the lower channel suggest a potential final flush 🧠 What Happened in 2022? (can't blame Trump for that...) This wasn’t politics — it was policy. • The Fed's fastest hiking cycle in decades • Liquidity evaporated • Long-duration bonds were abandoned • The key trendline that had held for years was finally lost That line — once support — is now resistance. 📐 My Technical Expectation I expect one final slide before a reversal. • Channel base sits at ~$76.32 • My projection targets $71.30 or even $68 • That would mark new all-time lows for TLT 🟡 After that? I expect a macro reversal , targeting: • 🔼 $101 – mid-channel reversion • 🔼 $112–115 – former support zone (2019–2022), now resistance 🔍 Macro Context This chart isn’t just about price. It reflects how markets are pricing confidence in U.S. debt . And right now? That confidence is shaky . With Trump turning 'orange' and taking it out against almost everyone else: China but also his allies(EU, Canada, Japan, etc ) 🔄 Recap of the Series So Far: • BKLN – record leveraged loan outflows • HYG – junk bonds bounced at historical support • LQD – investment grade bonds holding steady • TLT – U.S. Treasuries under pressure, and possibly breaking down 📌 Next up? 🟧 CRYPTOCAP:BTC Because when the world begins to question Treasuries , the search for alternative stores of value begins. One Love, The FXPROFESSOR 💙 ps. wait for the next posts...they might be epic!
NASDAQ:TLT
by FX_Professor
4
$IWM, small caps, not YET giving the "all clear"AMEX:IWM is the lone index still not in the clear 🚩 — backtesting its 200dma today and tagging the weekly mid-BB , just like in '22. Will it matter by week's end? If not, the bull is likely back across the board 🐂 This week's #CPI (Consumer Price Index) and #PPI (Producer Price Index) prints could significantly influence market direction across major indices — AMEX:SPY , NASDAQ:QQQ and AMEX:IWM — especially with rate cut expectations in flux. 🧵Here's how: 1. Hot CPI or PPI (above expectations): AMEX:SPY : Likely to pull back as sticky inflation pressures broader S&P names, especially rate-sensitive sectors like real estate and utilities. NASDAQ:QQQ : Could see sharper downside—tech stocks (many of which are high duration assets) are highly sensitive to interest rate expectations. AMEX:IWM : Likely the hardest hit. Small caps suffer from tighter financial conditions and depend more on domestic borrowing costs. 🟥 Result: Bearish across the board, with small caps underperforming. 2. Cool CPI or PPI (below expectations): AMEX:SPY : Broad lift, particularly in consumer discretionary and financials. NASDAQ:QQQ : Strong rally—mega cap tech loves the prospect of lower yields. AMEX:IWM : Outperforms if cooling inflation suggests easing ahead, since it's more leveraged to rate cycles and domestic growth. 🟩 Result: Bullish, with small caps possibly leading a relief rally. 3. In-line CPI/PPI : Markets may stay choppy or consolidate, with AMEX:SPY and NASDAQ:QQQ more stable. AMEX:IWM remains at risk of drifting lower unless there’s a strong dovish narrative from the Fed or other macro catalysts. With small caps already lagging, this week’s inflation data could either validate its bearish divergence or spark a rotation rally if inflation AMEX:SPY NASDAQ:QQQ TVC:VIX $ES_F $NQ_F $RTY_F TVC:TNX NASDAQ:TLT TVC:DXY #Tariffs #Stocks
AMEX:IWMShort
by KobesyTrades
S&P 500 - Key Levels and Measurements (Bonds vs Yields vs Homes)Happy Friday!!! Starting with a BLANK chart, here are my key levels and measurements for the S&P 500 Earnings season is stable, more MAG 7 next week with AAPL, AMZN, META, MSFT Trump and Company are softening the trade war narrative quickly and the market is taking notice. Prices recovered nicely this week 5500 SPX is a key level for the bulls to push above - if done look for open space melt-up into 5700-5800 resistance If SPX rejects 5500 early next week we will be dealing with some more noise and intermediate levels 4830 lows will be absolutely critical to maintaining a long-term bull market. You will see why with this analysis. Last piece is talking about bonds vs yields and the current housing market in the US My belief is that yields stay sticky and home prices MUST drop to see any improvements in affordability Thanks for watching - have a great weekend!!!
SP:SPX
by ChrisPulver
1
Opening (IRA): TLT May 16th 84 Short Put... for a 1.59 credit. Comments: High IVR; back in range of 52-week lows. Working both ends of the stick in 20 year+ paper with a covered call on one end of the stick, short puts on the other ... . Metrics: Buying Power Effect: 82.41/contract Max Profit: 1.59 ROC at Max: 1.93% 50% Max: .80 ROC at 50% Max: .96% Since I want to potentially pick up additional shares at a lower price, I will run this to expiry or approaching worthless (e.g., .05).
NASDAQ:TLTLong
by NaughtyPines
The Bitcoin Trust Flow Cycles Model: What Comes Next📉 The Bitcoin Trust Flow Cycles Model: What Comes Next Friends, if you’ve seen my last two posts, you already know we’re not talking about your average halving theory anymore. We're entering a new era of Bitcoin cycle analysis — and this model may change the way we look at macro rotation forever. This is an update to The Bitcoin Trust Flow Cycles™ by FXPROFESSOR — a cyclical framework built around one question: When trust flows in and out of traditional assets like Treasury bonds... what does Bitcoin do? In this post, we zoom into the latest data: • TLT is testing key support again • Bitcoin is still rising — but in an inverted period • The next major reversion event may be approaching I'll walk you through what happens when correlation flips , why these cycles compress over time, and how we could be approaching the next Bitcoin surge — not because of supply, but because of macro trust flow . If you’ve been wondering what’s really moving the market... this might be the chart you’ve been missing. One Love, The FXPROFESSOR 💙
NASDAQ:TLT
by FX_Professor
1
CREDIT CRISISWe are beginning to see evidence of a credit crisis starting. low demand for US bonds can trigger a currency crisis for the USD, higher rates will lead to refinancing company problems (especially with all the zombie companies that should have blown up over a decade ago.) and major economic depression-style job losses. Currently, we are very early stages but things are moving at lightning speed on a macroeconomic level. I know this is likely gibberish to most here pon trading view but it is of MASSIVE importance to your trading and investing. CAUTION IS IN ORDER!! Click boost, follow, and subscribe! I can help you navigate these crazy times.
FX:JPYBASKETLong
by RealMacro
7