MUMBAI, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Indian government bond
yields declined for the fourth consecutive session on Monday, as
bets of a bigger rate cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve later
this week further powered the bulls.
The benchmark 10-year yield ended at 6.7613%,
its lowest since Feb. 25 2022 and less than its previous close
of 6.7904%.
A scheduled debt market holiday was shifted to Wednesday
which impacted volumes across the debt and swap markets.
"We assume that the Fed will favour a strategy of starting
with a 25 bps cut, with openness to accelerate the pace in case
that is required. We anticipate the fresh dot plot will likely
reveal an inclination to reach closer to the neutral rate by
end-2025," ICICI Securities Primary Dealership said in a note.
U.S. yields stayed lower, with the 10-year yield
below the 3.65% mark, as the possibility of a supersized cut
gained ground.
The probability of a 50-basis-point move has more than
quadrupled to 60% from just 14% last week, with a total of 119
bps in cuts now expected in 2024.
The Fed decision is due on Wednesday and will include its
updated economic projections, the dot plot and commentary from
Chair Jerome Powell.
Local sentiment also got some support from the Reserve Bank
of India cancelling treasury bill auctions worth 400 billion
Indian rupees ($4.77 billion) which were due in September.
The yields on such papers dropped to their lowest in nearly
a year and a half, with the market anticipating lower supply in
the upcoming quarter.
Traders also await fresh debt supply as New Delhi will sell
bonds worth 310 billion rupees, which includes 200 billion
rupees of benchmark note on Friday.
($1 = 83.8520 Indian rupees)