In a World of Negative Yields, India Bonds Rally to 2016 Highs
Yields have slid more than 100 basis points since April-end amid bets the central bank may add to its three rate cuts this year.
(Bloomberg) -- Sovereign Indian debt streaked ahead, sending benchmark yields to 2 1/2-year lows, amid growing expectations of deeper rate cuts by the central bank and increased foreign demand.
The yield on 10-year bonds declined nine basis points to 6.34% on Tuesday after touching 6.31%, the lowest for the notes since Dec. 2016. Yields have slid more than 100 basis points since April-end amid bets the central bank may add to its three rate cuts this year. And negative-yielding debt in much of the developed world is adding to the allure of high-yielder like India, traders said.
“Indian bonds are facing a dream-like situation, given strong demand from foreign and local investors,” said Anoop Verma, vice president for treasury at DCB Bank in Mumbai. “Yields are headed south and where they will stop is a million dollar question.”
Verma said he expects 10-year yield to drop further to 6% amid expectation that the central bank will lower rates by another 50 basis points this year.
Other factors fueling demand for rupee bonds are:
- Retail inflation remains below RBI’s 4% target
- The government’s plan to tap the offshore debt market has eased concerns about excess supply from its record domestic borrowings
- Banking liquidity has turned surplus, adding to demand for bonds
- Foreigners bought about $1.1 billion of bonds this month, taking inflows for the year to $2.5 billion
To contact the reporter on this story: Kartik Goyal in Mumbai at kgoyal@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Tan Hwee Ann at hatan@bloomberg.net, Ravil Shirodkar
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