Curve Steepening
When the yield spread between long- and short-term Treasuries widens — usually as long yields rise faster than short yields, or short yields fall faster.
Curve steepening occurs when the gap between long-dated and short-dated Treasury yields increases. A bear steepener happens when long yields rise faster than short yields — often driven by inflation fears or fiscal concerns pushing up term premium. A bull steepener occurs when short yields fall faster as the market prices in Fed rate cuts ahead.
Steepening after an inversion is watched closely as a potential early-recession signal. Banks benefit from a steeper curve since they borrow short-term and lend long-term, widening their net interest margins.
Risk assets generally respond better to bull steepening (the Fed is easing) than bear steepening (long-end inflation/fiscal fears).