Gundlach: Beware of ‘Blockhead’ Fed on Rates

March 11, 2015 at 08:58 AM
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DoubleLine CEO Jeffrey Gundlach says the Federal Reserve has not learned from its other central bankers, and if it moves to raise interest rates mid-year it may regret it.

"The Fed is intent on being a blockhead," Gundlach said Tuesday on a conference call, describing the characters in the animated "Gumby and Pokey" show.

Still, he acknowledged that the Fed may not raise rates if deflationary figures continue to dominate headlines.

The fixed-income expert also is concerned about the continued emphasis on low interest rates around the globe.

"Central banks around the world have put together a lot of intricate policies," he said. "Ultimately, the tower will not be able to stand."

Low interest rates and central bank buying mean some $2 trillion of foreign bonds are producing negative yields.

But Gundlach sees the U.S. 10-year yield dipping below 2% and then rebounding to 3%.

"I do think inflation is not a problem" over the next year or two, he explained, though Gundlach said it could be a few years or so from now.

Dollar Domination

Gundlach says he would not be a contrarian and short the dollar. "Don't do it," he said. "The dollar … is going to continue to be a world beater until something painful … happen[s.]"

"Everybody's bullish on the dollar now," the fixed-income manager added. Plus, currency trends "go on for a very long time."

But he also acknowledged the negative impacts that a strong U.S. currency can have.

"It is seen as a risk for equities, and even U.S. equities don't seem to like the U.S. dollar strengthening," Gundlach explained.

Oil Down, Gold Up

Though the precious metal is down in early-2015 thanks to the strong U.S. dollar, Gunlach is bullish on gold due to buying on the part of emerging-market central banks. He sees gold hitting $1,400 this year.

As for other commodities, "I still think oil is going to see a minor new low," he said. "I really don't believe oil is going to start rallying."

Gundlach is not in the camp that sees crude dropping to $10-$12 a barrel, though it may fall below $43. By the end of the year, he predicts oil is moving higher than the current level, which is about $48.

For long-term investors, he points to the value of owning Indian stocks.

His view of investment-grade bonds is that they are overvalued, but he sees high-yield-grade bonds as fairly valued.

DoubleLine Issues

The firm's flagship fund, the DoubleLine Total Return (DLBTX) returned about 6% last year. Gundlach expects this year's returns to be around 5%.

"Yields will chop around this year," he stated.

When asked if his time and focus are spread too thin these days – DoubleLine recently launched a fixed-income ETF in partnership with State Street – he explained that the ETF is based on the firm's core funds, and thus doesn't require much extra effort on his part.

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