TOKYO, July 29 (Reuters) - Japan's two-year government
bonds rose on Tuesday after a strong auction outcome, as the
market viewed the current yield level as attractive given the
uncertainties regarding the Bank of Japan's rate hike path.
The two-year JGB yield fell 2 basis points
(bps) to 0.82%.
Yields move inversely to bond prices.
The auction for two-year bonds saw a strong outcome, with
the lowest accepted price being higher than market expectations.
"With uncertainties around Japan's politics, there is a
possibility that the BOJ may not raise its interest rates to
0.75% within this year," said Ryoma Nagatomo, a senior fund
manager at Norinchukin Zenkyoren Asset Management.
"Current level of the two-year bond yield factored in such
expectations."
Japan's shorter-dated bond yields jumped last week on bets
that the central bank may resume interest rate hikes by year-end
as Japan struck a trade deal with the U.S. that imposes a 15%
tariff on Japan's exports.
The BOJ will hold its next policy meeting this week, though
the market expects any rate increase will come in October or
later.
"The October meeting might be the only chance for the BOJ to
raise rates, because Japan's inflation may slow toward the end
of the year," said Takashi Fujiwara, chief fund manager at
Resona Asset Management's fixed income investment division.
The BOJ may not be able to raise rates until next year when
it confirms the trend of wages if it misses the October rate
hike, he said.
The five-year yield fell 1 bp to 1.105%. The
10-year JGB yield fell 1 bp to 1.555%.
Swap rates indicate a 75% chance for the BOJ to raise rates
by 25 bps to 0.75% at its December policy meeting.