Japan's Bonds Gain for Third Week on Growing Recession Concern

Aug. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Japan's 10-year bonds gained for a third week on growing 
speculation the world's second-largest economy is on the brink of a recession. 

Ten-year yields fell to the lowest in almost four months during the week after 
a government report on Aug. 13 showed the economy contracted last quarter for 
the first time since 2001. Benchmark bonds also advanced on speculation the 
central bank will cut its assessment of the economy for a second straight month 
in a report next week. 

``The GDP report in Japan suggested ongoing sluggish business activity and the 
Bank of Japan is likely to downgrade its assessment of business conditions next 
week,'' said Susumu Kato, chief economist in Tokyo at Calyon Securities, one of 
the 26 primary dealers required to bid at government debt sales. ``This is very 
supportive for JGBs.'' 

The yield on the 1.5 percent bond due June 2018 fell 1 basis point this week to 
1.455 percent according to Japan Bond Trading Co., the nation's largest 
interdealer debt broker. The price rose 0.086 yen to 100.387. The yield fell as 
low as 1.415 percent on Aug. 14, the least since April 21. 

Ten-year bond futures for September delivery gained 0.01 this week to 137.69 on 
the Tokyo Stock Exchange. A basis point is 0.01 percentage point. 

The nation's gross domestic product shrank an annualized 2.4 percent in the 
three months ended June 30 as exports and consumer spending fell, the Cabinet 
Office said in Tokyo. 

`Downside Risks' 

``The economy is weakening and there are more downside risks,'' Japan's 
Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Kaoru Yosano said at a press conference in 
Tokyo on Aug. 13. ``With prices rising, consumers are becoming cautious about 
spending and holding back consumption.''

The odds were 11 percent yesterday that the Bank of Japan will reduce its 
target rate to 0.25 percent from 0.5 percent by year end, according to 
calculations by JPMorgan Chase & Co. using interest-rate swaps. The chance was 
5 percent a week ago. 

The gain in bonds this week was tempered on speculation 10- year yields near 
the lowest since April deterred investors from buying government debt. 

The yield climbed as much as 6 basis points during yesterday's trading, the 
biggest intraday gain since July 7, after a technical chart traders use to 
gauge changes suggested the recent rally in bonds was too rapid.


http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601110&sid=aeOgC5ESo9Rg




      


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