New Zealand bonds witness losses tracking U.S. Treasuries, drop in global safe-haven demand post French election

The New Zealand bonds witnessed losses on the first trading day of the week Monday, tracking weakness in U.S. Treasuries amid a drop in demand for safe-haven asasets post the first round of French elections held over the weekend.

At the time of closing, the yield on the benchmark 10-year bond, which moves inversely to its price, jumped 5 basis points to 3.04 percent, the yield on 7-year note surged nearly 4-1/2 basis points to 2.74 percent and the yield on short-term 2-year note traded 1-1/2 basis points higher at 2.14 percent by 05:30GMT.

Asian shares edged higher on Monday as risk appetite improved after pro-European Union candidate Emmanuel Macron won the first round of French elections. Key benchmark indices extended initial gains and hit fresh intraday high.

Among secondary barometers, the BSE Mid-Cap index was currently up 0.38 percent, underperforming the Sensex. The BSE Small-Cap index was currently up 0.82 percent, outperforming the Sensex.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand’s benchmark S&P/NZX 50 Index rose 0.36 percent to 7,222.94 by 05:30GMT, while at 05:00GMT the FxWirePro's Hourly NZD Strength Index remained neutral at 9.75 (a reading above +75 indicates a bullish trend, while that below -75 a bearish trend). For more details, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex