During an economic downturn, central banks often adjust their monetary policies, which directly impacts the term structure of interest rates. Suppose a country experiences a significant economic shock, leading to a rapid decrease in short-term interest rates.
Simultaneously, long-term rates remain stable due to investor expectations of future economic recovery. As an analyst, you are tasked to interpret the implications of this scenario on the yield curve and bond pricing.
Which of the following statements about the expected shape of the yield curve in this context is most accurate?