As Trade Confrontation Looms With China….Japan Passes China As Largest Owner Of U.S. Treasuries – International Trade

U.S. Treasury Department data released in December revealed that Japan has surpassed China as the largest foreign holder of U.S. Treasuries. For years, China has held more U.S. Treasury debt than any other country, making it the single largest foreign creditor. As pressure has mounted for China to allow its currency to float freely, it has gradually been selling Treasuries in order to raise liquidity and help elevate its currency.

China has been careful not to create any perceived issues with its currency since the yuan became part of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) special drawing rights in October 2016. This will allow the yuan to become a legitimate reserve currency along with the euro, pound, and dollar. China’s position in U.S. debt is at its lowest levels since 2010.

Sources: U.S. Treasury, IMF,Bloomberg Rates Commence Their Rise – Fixed Income Update

The Fed raised short-term rates in December as expected by a quarter point to between 0.5% and 0.75%, the first increase since December 2015. The Fed also announced that it expects to raise rates three times in 2017 contingent on economic growth and inflationary pressures.

Higher oil prices have actually helped the high-yield bond market, since roughly 20% of high-yield bonds are in the oil sensitive energy sector. Rising oil prices have helped stem the risk of default among the sector.

Overall bond prices fell in the last two months of the year, meaning that yields rose. Of the various bond sectors, U.S. Treasury bonds experienced the most significant jump in rates. Rates rose following the election on the premise that growth policies set in motion by the new Trump administration would generate inflationary pressures and economic expansion.

With European and Japanese bond yields still at near zero levels, the heightened yields on U.S. Treasuries has made them that much more alluring for foreign buyers worldwide. As U.S. debt lures in buyers, the yields on U.S. Treasuries is expected to level off as demand and prices return to normalized levels.

The challenge for the Fed going into 2017 is the prospect of increasing economic activity, where higher inflation may need to be harnessed by additional rate hikes. Many believe that it will be more difficult for the Fed to maintain a careful balance.

Sources: Federal Reserve, U.S. Treasury, Bloomberg, Reuters What’s Different In 2017 For Taxes – Tax Planning

For 2017, the IRS is revising more than 50 tax provisions for both individuals and business taxpayers. Any changes or modifications made by the new administration may or may not be applicable to 2017 taxes. So for the time being, the following IRS revisions are effective for the 2017 tax year.

Standard Deduction – will increase from $12,600 to $12,700 for married couples & from $6,300 to $6,350 for single filers.

Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) – the exemption amount will increase from $53,900 to $54,300 for individuals and increase from $83,800 to $84,500 for married couples.

Senior (65+) Medical Expense Deduction – ability to deduct medical expenses rise to 10% of AGI up from 7.5% of AGI.

Mileage Expense – is falling to 53.5 cents per mile from 54 cents per mile for business miles & 17 cents per mile down from 19 cents per mile for medical & moving purposes

No Health Coverage Penalty – increases to $695 per adult, or 2.5% of income up to a family maximum of $2,085

Estate Tax Exemption – will increase by $40,000 up to $5.49 million

Source: IRS.gov, Tax Foundation