Japan’s 10-year government bond yield slipped to around 2% on Tuesday, retreating from two consecutive session of record peaks, mainly attributed to possible dip-buying interest. A senior Japan rates strategist said that buying at current levels could offer higher returns than the interest earned on Bank of Japan current account deposits, as long as yields remain capped near 2.2% over the next year. Yields have recently climbed as traders priced in additional rate hikes following the Bank of Japan’s move last week to increased borrowing costs to a three-decade high of 0.75%. The market is also preparing for increased bond issuance to finance the new government’s fiscal stimulus measures. Meanwhile, investors are closely watching BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda, who is set to address the Keidanren business lobby on Christmas Day, for further signals on the central bank’s policy trajectory.
