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Australian bonds rebound on growing anxiety over U.S. Presidential election

The Australian government bonds rebounded Wednesday as growing uncertainties over the U.S. presidential election sparked demand for safe-haven buying.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to its price, fell 4-1/2 basis points to 2.349 percent, the yield on 15-year note dipped 4 basis points to 2.717 percent and the yield on short-term 2-year slid 4-1/2 basis points to 1.642 percent by 04:30 GMT.

The market is wary of a Brexit-like outcome at the presidential election on November 8. Also, it is widely expected that the Federal Reserve is unlikely to hike rates at this week’s FOMC meeting on November 2 before the US presidential election.

On Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of Australia maintained its key benchmark rate at a record low of 1.50 percent, judging that unchanged policy is consistent with growth and inflation targets. After the stronger-than-expected third quarter consumer inflation reading, the hold decision was widely expected, as the central bank continues to monitor carefully the effects of the low cash rate on the exchange rate and economic growth.

Further, we foresee that the central bank is likely to remain on hold in December as the recovery in global energy prices, consistently lower unemployment and recent indications of solid economic growth do not motivate a further interest rate cut until first half of 2017, unless there is a strong appreciation in the AUD in the near term.

Lastly, investors will remain keen to focus on the upcoming economic data or events, highlighted by Statement of Monetary Policy (SoMP), trade balance and retail sales.

Meanwhile, the benchmark Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index traded 0.59 percent lower at 5,196.5 by 04:30 GMT.

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