New Zealand bonds jump at close in response to rise in global debt market demand

The New Zealand bonds jumped Tuesday at the time of closing, is response to a rise in global demand for safe-haven assets, following overseas uncertainties and political tension.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year bond, which moves inversely to its price, slumped 4 basis points to 3.08 percent, the yield on 7-year note remained also plunged 3-1/2 basis points to 2.72 percent and the yield on short-term 2-year note also traded 4-1/2 basis points lower at 2.08 percent.

The United States President Donald Trump is open to authoritizing additional strikes on Syria if the use of chemical weapons continues in the country, the White House said on Monday. Investors are also nervous about the possibility of U.S. military action against North Korea after the strikes in Syria.

A U.S. Navy strike group headed toward the western Pacific Ocean near the Korean peninsula as a show of force, while China and South Korea agreed on Monday to tougher sanctions on North Korea if it carries out nuclear or long-range missile tests.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand’s benchmark S&P/NZX 50 Index closed 0.21 percent higher at 7,254.38, while at 05:00 GMT, the FxWirePro's Hourly NZD Strength Index remained neutral at 10.16 (a reading above +75 indicates a bullish trend, while that below -75 a bearish trend). For more details, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex