Australian bonds narrowly mixed in subdued trade; retail sales data in focus

Australian government bonds traded narrowly mixed on Monday as investors remain sidelined in any major trading activity amid a silent session that witnessed no data of major economic significance.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to its price, rose 1/2 basis point to 2.624 percent, the yield on the long-term 30-year note also climbed 1/2 basis point to 3.324 percent and the yield on short-term 2-year fell 1/2 basis point to 1.987 percent by 03:30 GMT.

Australian bonds fell slightly today, tracking Friday’s move in U.S. Treasuries. The United States Treasuries saw some initial buying on Friday in the wake of the lackluster December employment report that delivered a weaker than expected 148K increase in non-farm payrolls. As the initial shock faded and a greater focus was paid to an as expected +0.3% m/m increase in average hourly earnings, Treasuries pushed into negative territory over the course of the session.

Markets now await a greater flow of data in the week ahead, highlighted by producer prices and consumer prices on Thursdayand Friday, respectively. Also, investors would focus on a host of addresses from US policymakers, which may provide detail on the pace of monetary policy tightening in the world largest economy.

Meanwhile, the S&P/ASX 200 index traded 0.16 percent higher at 6,083.5 by 03:30 GMT, while at 03:00GMT, the FxWirePro's Hourly AUD Strength Index remained neutral at 35.06 (a reading above +75 indicates a bullish trend, while that below -75 a bearish trend). For more details, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex

FxWirePro launches Absolute Return Managed Program. For more details, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/invest