Bond yields tread water on trader’s periphery

21 Feb 2012 Evaluate

Bond yields were treading water with traders awaiting clues on whether the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will announce a debt buy this week to support a scheduled bond auction in the week, given the tight cash conditions and spike in currency in circulation owing to state elections. The RBI typically announces its plans for debt purchases via OMOs after market hours on Tuesdays.

Trade in early deals was also cautious ahead of the release of the first ever annual inflation data based on the consumer price index (CPI) on Tuesday, a move to monitor retail prices that is expected to make monetary policy more effective in addressing demand-driven pressures.

Meanwhile, India's annual consumer price inflation touched 7.65% in January, higher than wholesale inflation for the period but still suggesting price pressures are moderating, adding weight to views that the RBI has room to cut interest rates.

On the global front, US financial markets were closed for a public holiday.  Meanwhile, Brent crude futures held steady near $120 a barrel on Tuesday as the euro zone approved a second bailout package for debt-laden Greece, while a cut in Chinese and European imports of Iranian oil supported prices. Euro zone finance ministers struck a deal early on Tuesday to finance Greece with a 130-billion-euro rescue package, averting an imminent bankruptcy while also boosting the demand outlook for commodities.

The yields on 10-year benchmark 8.79% - 2021 bonds were trading up by 1 basis point at 8.20% from its previous close of 8.19% on Friday.

The benchmark five-year interest rate swaps were higher at 7.33% from its previous close of 7.32% on Friday.

Meanwhile, Seven State Governments announced auction of State Development Loans 2022 for Rs 5,600 crore on February 21, 2012.

The Government of India have announced the sale (re-issue) of (i) “8.19 percent Government Stock 2020” for a notified amount of Rs 3,000 crore (nominal) through price based auction, (ii) “9.15 percent Government Stock 2024” for a notified amount of Rs 6,000 crore (nominal) through price based auction and (iii) “8.97 percent Government Stock 2030” for a notified amount of Rs 3,000 crore (nominal) through price based auction. The auctions will be conducted using uniform price method. The auctions will be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, Fort, Mumbai on February 24, 2012 (Friday).

The Reserve Bank of India has announced the auction of 364 and 91 day Government of India Treasury Bills for notified amount of Rs 4,000 crore and Rs 9000 crore respectively. The auction will be conducted on February 22, 2012 using 'Multiple Price Auction' method.

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