JGBS: Futures-Linked 7Y Leads Market Cheaper
JGB futures are weaker and session cheaps, -34 compared to settlement levels.
- Japan's corporate goods price index rose 2.6% y/y in March, accelerating from February's 2.1%, while import prices rose for a fourth straight month, data released by the Bank of Japan showed on Friday.
- [MNI EXCLUSIVE] The BOJ's former chief economist shares his policy rate outlook. On MNI Policy MainWire now.
- Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino said on Friday that the BOJ will manage monetary policy appropriately while remaining mindful of the risk of stagflation, with a focus on achieving its 2% price target. He said Japan is not currently in stagflation, noting that CPI is moving close to the 2% target and GDP is growing above its potential rate. However, he added that the BOJ must remain alert to the risk of stagflation if the Middle East conflict is prolonged.
- Cash US tsys are ~2bps in today's Asia-Pac session after yesterday's modest bull-flattener.
- Cash JGBs are 0.5bp richer (40-year) to 5bps cheaper (7-year) across benchmarks. The benchmark 10-year yield is 4bps higher at 2.432% versus the cycle high of 2.441%.
- Swap rates are flat to 2bps higher.
Source: Bloomberg Finance LP
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US TSYS: 10-Yr Auction Key Test as Yields Hover Near 4.15%
USTs held on to early gains Wednesday as declining oil prices suggest rampant inflation may be avoided. Yields were lower by 1-2bps early on and are looking set to finish that way as the Asia trading day nears end.
- The 2-Yr is down -1.8bps at 3.578%
- The 5-Yr is down -2.1bps at 3.722%
- The 10-Yr is down -1.6bps at 4.144%
- The 30-yr is down -1.1bps at 4.782%
The pattern in recent days has been modestly lower yields in the Asia trading day before moves higher again in the US trading day. This suggests profit taking from Asia based investors on overnight positioning as the driving force in the region. The weakness in the 3-Yr auction overnight raises short term concerns for UST yields as the trend appear for higher and the FEB CPI is likely to be looked past.
Whilst a very weak CPI print may bring forward rate cut expectations normally, in the current environment the February CPI is likely to be viewed as stale given expectations for sharp rise in inflation going forward on the back of oil's ascent.
The key test for Wednesday will be a US$39bn 10-Yr auction. Given the weakness in the overnight 3-Yr investors will watch for signs that demand is teetering further.
The last three 10-Yr auctions were February 2026: bid to cover 2.39; January 2026: bid to cover 2.55 and December 2025: bid to cover 2.51 - against a six-month average of 2.53x.
ASIA STOCKS: Asia Stocks Rebound as Oil Relief Eases Energy Shock Fears
Major Asian equity markets rallied today on cooling oil prices as reports of a historic IEA emergency reserve release eased fears of a global energy shock. The AI / tech heavy bourses led the way with the NIKKEI up +2.6%, KOSPI +3.5% and the TAIEX +4.3% following a positive lead in overnight after US firm Oracle posted better-than-expected results for its infrastructure business. Oracle Corp. shares gained almost 10% in extended trading after the company posted strong results and gave an outlook that suggested there is little letup in demand for AI computing. This saw Japan's Softbank rally over +9%, Korea's SK Hynix over +4% and Taiwan's TSMC over +5% today.
In Japan, those stocks hit hard due to the spike in oil prices performed Wednesday with Energy and Chemical companies up strongly.
China's bourses lagged regional losses as the oil price spiked on account of the Iran war and are lagging the rally again today. The Hang Seng is barely positive, despite the positive lead in for tech. Onshore media reports are now suggesting that following the significant jump in February exports, expectations for monetary policy are pushed out with May now likely.
Whilst SE Asian peers were quiet Wednesday, the SE Thai is up +1.2% with oil related stocks driving the gains. Markets had feared a rampant oil price would squeeze manufacturers in Thailand and the decline in prices help alleviate that immediate concern.
India remains volatility giving back most of yesterday's gains in the first part of the trading day as the Rupee opens weaker Wednesday.
JGBS: Little Changed As Market Takes Breather After Recent Volatility
JGB futures are stronger, +5 compared to settlement levels, after spending much of the session in the red.
- Japan's Feb PPI was weaker than forecast, falling 0.1%m/m (versus 0.2% forecast and 0.2% prior). In y/y terms we eased to 2.0%, against a 2.2% forecast and prior 2.3% outcome. The Feb print may be discounted to some extent, given the surge in energy prices since the end of Feb due to the Iran conflict.
- The spike in oil prices, if sustained, is likely to feed through into higher Japan imports in coming months. We observed the sharp rises seen in 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the spill over to higher energy prices then.
- "JAPAN'S AKAZAWA: JAPAN CAN RELEASE OIL RESERVES ON ITS OWN, WILL TAKE NECESSARY MEASURES TO RESPOND TO OIL PRICES" – BBG
- Cash US tsys are 1-2bps richer in today's Asia-Pac session after yesterday's bear-steepener.
- Cash JGBs are little changed across benchmarks. The benchmark 2-year yield is 2bps richer after today’s solid auction.
- Swap rates are ~1bp higher.
- Tomorrow, the local calendar will see the results of the BSI Industry Survey, Weekly International Investment Flows and Tokyo Office vacancies.
