Bond Market Updates

Summary Malaysia’s economy registered decelerating growth of 2.9% in 2Q2023 (1Q2023: 5.6%), presaged by weaker external sector data. Nonetheless, the growth trajectory remains consistent with the official target of 4%-5%. The return of equity flows in July amid persistent inflows to the bond market led to a temporary appreciation of the Malaysian ringgit (MYR); the …

Improvement in Foreign Inflows Into Malaysia’s Markets – August 2023 – Summary Read More »

Summary Malaysia’s external sector ended 2Q2023 on a weaker note, reinforcing our views of slower gross domestic product (GDP) growth data for the quarter. On the bond market, the yield spread between MGS and UST narrowed significantly and subsequently turned negative in July amid aggressive US rate tightening. While positive foreign flows into the bond …

Monetary Policies in Transition Could Lead to Bond Market Volatilities – July 2023 – Summary Read More »

Summary  The latest retail and exports data suggest that a slower domestic economy in 2Q2023 is imminent given the anticipated slowdown in the global economy. On the bond market, while MGS commands positive yield differentials with the UST, the spread has narrowed significantly since 2022. The continuing divergence of interest rate policy between Malaysia and …

Monetary Policy Divergence Exerts Pressure on Bond Market – June 2023 – Summary Read More »

Global Bond Markets Global government bonds traded mixed in May. The UST market came under selling pressure in May as investors monitored the progress of the US debt negotiations and assessed the Fed’s interest rate policy going forward. In Europe, the bund ended mostly firmer in May, with yields mostly declining on softer European inflation …

Monthly Bond Market and Rating Snapshot – May 2023 – Summary Read More »

Global Bond Markets Global government bonds traded mixed in April. The UST yields largely declined on rising anticipation that the Fed’s rate hike cycle may end soon as inflation continued to moderate. Meanwhile in Europe, the longer-tenure 30-year bund yield rose as the market expected higher interest rate for longer to contain the elevated inflationary …

Monthly Bond Market and Rating Snapshot – April 2023 – Summary Read More »

Global Bond Markets Global government bonds saw risk-off rallies in March amid the banking sector turmoil in the US and Europe. As a result, bond yields mostly declined across the curve. Going forward, major central banks are likely to continue focusing on striking a balance between containing elevated inflation on the one hand and rising …

Monthly Bond Market and Rating Snapshot – March 2023 – Summary Read More »

Global Bond Markets Global government bonds mostly came under selling pressure in February on the growing possibility of “higher for longer” interest rate policy. This is not surprising given that inflation on both sides of the Atlantic continue to hover more than two times above major central banks’ 2% target. Meanwhile in China, bonds traded …

Monthly Bond Market and Rating Snapshot – February 2023 – Summary Read More »

Global Bond Markets Government bonds rallied on both sides of the Atlantic in January as easing inflation momentum renewed hopes of less aggressive monetary policy tightening by central banks. In China, relatively lower CGB yields became less enticing to investors as yields on developed economy bonds are expected to peak soon.

Global Bond Markets  Government bonds saw heavy selloff on both sides of the Atlantic as investors digested the latest statements of major central banks. In China, on the other hand, government bonds saw some buying interest due to an earlier-than-expected reopening of the Chinese economy and kicking in of government support for the debt-ridden property …

Monthly Bond Market and Rating Snapshot – December 2022 – Summary Read More »

Global Bond Markets Government bonds mostly strengthened on both sides of the Atlantic as soft inflation data spurred hopes of slower pace of rate tightening by central banks. In China, on the other hand, government bonds were sold off as risk sentiment picked up after policymakers announced measures to ease COVID restrictions.