Core Viewpoint - Citigroup strategists recommend investors to increase bets on a steepening U.S. Treasury yield curve and a weakening dollar due to potential threats to the Federal Reserve's independence from President Trump [1] Group 1: Investment Strategy - Strategists, including Adam Pickett and Dirk Willer, suggest a slight increase in steepening yield curve trades, betting that 30-year Treasuries will underperform 5-year Treasuries [1] - They also recommend going long on the euro against the dollar through derivatives [1] Group 2: Market Concerns - Concerns regarding the weakening of the Federal Reserve's independence are expected to manifest primarily through a weaker dollar and a steepening yield curve [1] - Citigroup had already positioned for this trade in May, anticipating that Trump's tax cuts would increase government debt, thereby putting pressure on long-term Treasuries [1] Group 3: Political Influence - Trump's push to remove a Federal Reserve governor and potentially exert greater influence over regional Federal Reserve banks reinforces the logic behind the steepening yield curve trade [1] - The risk of Trump's intervention may undermine the Federal Reserve's credibility in combating inflation, leading to higher long-term Treasury yields [1]

Group 1 - Citigroup strategists recommend increasing bets against the performance of long-term U.S. Treasury bonds and a decline in the dollar, primarily due to President Trump's potential to undermine the political independence of the Federal Reserve [1] - The strategists suggest adding small positions to existing bets, specifically betting that 30-year interest rate futures will underperform compared to 5-year contracts, leading to a steeper yield curve [1] - Concerns about the weakening of the Federal Reserve's independence are expected to manifest through a weaker dollar and a steepening yield curve [1] Group 2 - Following Trump's announcement to dismiss Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, the spread between 30-year and 5-year U.S. Treasury yields reached its highest level since 2001 [2] - Trump's unprecedented dismissal has heightened market fears that the Federal Reserve may be forced to cut rates due to political pressure, which could increase future inflation risks [2] - Despite the restructuring risks within the Federal Reserve's decision-making body, the dollar has not shown significant weakness, potentially due to renewed fiscal concerns in France [2]