Australian bonds jump on short-covering, modestly lower equities

The Australian bonds jumped Thursday as investors covered previous short positions amid modestly lower equities that further lent support to the bond market.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to its price, slumped 4-1/2 basis points to 2.58 percent, the yield on 15-year note plunged 4 basis points to 2.96 percent and the yield on short-term 2-year traded 3-1/2 basis points lower at 1.67 percent by 04:10 GMT.

The RBA left the cash rate at a record low of 1.50 percent at its monetary policy meeting held earlier this week. There was additional information on the labour market, household borrowing and supervisory measures directed at housing lending in this statement compared with previously.

Meanwhile, the ASX 200 index traded 0.31 percent down at 5,823.50 by 03:30GMT, while at 03:00GMT, the FxWirePro's Hourly AUD Strength Index remained highly bearish at -156.70 (a reading above +75 indicates a bullish trend, while that below -75 a bearish trend). For more details, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex