(Bloomberg) -- China’s 10-year sovereign yield slumped to a fresh record low Monday, as a string of sluggish economic data boosted demand for haven assets.
The benchmark yield fell six basis points to 1.71%, extending a decline from above 2% at the end of November. The move came after figures revealed retail sales growth unexpectedly weakened and home prices registered another drop in November.
The slide in yields accompanies renewed promises of extra stimulus from authorities including interest-rate cuts to revive China’s sluggish economy. The bond rally is also supported by worries over the impact of any trade war with the US and a lack of other investment options amid the fragile economic sentiment.
Lower yields “may be a trend persisting into next year” as the People’s Bank of China adopts more accommodative policies, Johanna Chua, head of emerging market economics at Citigroup Global Markets said in a Bloomberg TV interview. “We will not preclude the possibility that they could actually move to a zero rate pretty soon,” if the deflationary pressure persists.
China’s ‘Lower for Longer’ Pledge Has Sent Bonds Into Unknown
Chinese stocks saw a modest decline Monday, while the yuan edged lower.
Tianfeng Securities, Zheshang Securities and Standard Chartered Bank are among firms that predict yields will drop to as low as 1.5%-1.6% by the end of next year.
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