Fixed Income And Currency Market

USD saw some stability at lower levels on optimism over the US economy on the back of a new large stimulus package. However, USD has been on a continuous slide over the last 8 months on the back of Fed printing money to nullify the covid impact on markets and economy.

UST yield curve has steepened by around 60 bps over the last few months, with 10-year treasury yields moving by almost 70bps from lows of 0.4% to 1.1% seen in 2020 while the short end of the curve is around .10% levels. The yield curve is showing classical steepening movement on the back of inflation expectations even as the Fed fuels inflation by keeping rates at 0%.

USD was pushed higher against major peers last week following a Democratic win in the Senate elections in the state of Georgia. For the first time in a decade, the Democrats will control the house of representatives, the Senate, and the Presidency in a so-called Blue wave.

Bond yields are treading shallow waters and can become unsustainable at these levels despite RBI protection. The 777 factor will come into play and push up the 10 year government bond yield sharply from current levels of 5.85%. Further the fact that 10 year UST yields crossed 1% levels this year on expected large scale US stimulus will further pressure the 10 year government bond yield.

USD lost ground as US President Donald Trump signed the second stimulus package to support an economy damaged by the pandemic. The relief package is supporting risk assets and is putting pressure on the USD, which used to act as a safe haven during the crisis.

RBI by significantly using its muscle power in the government bond market has sidelined the liquidity providers in the market. Bond traders have almost stopped trading as weekly heavy supply of bonds from the government and states and RBI protecting the yield curve have left them with no appetite to make markets.

USD gained marginally from lows last week as investors turned to the safe-haven asset as many countries tightened restrictive measures against the new mutant COVID-19 virus. However, optimism over COVID-19 vaccines being effective against the new mutant strain of COVID-19 found in the UK boosted the market sentiment.

RBI did not accept any bids in the Rs 90 billion 10-year benchmark bond, the 5.85% 2030 bond, auction held last week. The market bid at yields much higher than the closing levels of 5.93% on the bond and RBI did not want to send signals that it was fine with yield on the bond trending higher.

The 5.85% 2030 bond will see a period of uneasy calm before there is a sudden sharp rise in yields, most probably before budget in February 2021. High government spending coupled with huge liquidity flows will raise inflation expectations sharply and this will prompt markets to reset yields to higher levels.

The growing prospect of a stimulus deal in the U.S., Fed dovish stance and a Brexit agreement in the UK are driving investors out of safe-have currencies like the USD and Japanese Yen.

Safe-haven USD fell against the INR, but it was trading higher versus its major peers on fading hopes for Brexit and U.S. stimulus deals. U.S. lawmakers are expected to pass a one-week spending bill to fund the government, but the House has indicated that anything beyond that would require agreement to a broader fiscal stimulus plan. Unfortunately, little progress has been made and Senate Republicans say they do not have majority support for the current bill. If agreements cannot be reached in the next week or two, there could be a sharp rise in volatility in currency markets.

RBI announced an operation twist for Rs 200 billion as soon as it saw the market bidding at higher yields in the auction of the new 10 year benchmark bond, the 5.85% 2030 bond. The bond yield cut off was at 5.90%, 5bps higher than the last week cut off at 5.85%. Operation twist is where the RBI sells short term bonds and purchases longer term bonds, which helps keep down the 10 year benchmark bond yield.

RBI in its policy review last week said that surging capital flows has led to heavy USD purchases to prevent a sharp appreciation of the INR. USD purchases have led to huge liquidity infusion in the system. Fx reserves are at record highs and RBI fx intervention has resulted in addition of over Rs 2 trillion of liquidity.

RBI is maintaining an ultra-accommodative monetary policy to negate the effects of covid 19 pandemic that has led to 2 consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth in fiscal 2020-21. While growth collapsed, inflation has risen sharply to well over 7% levels, far above the RBI target of 4%. The forecast for inflation is around 5% in the 1st half of fiscal 2021-22 while growth will rebound considerably, largely on base effect. RBI is willing to live with real interest rates of negative 4% for growth to accelerate.

Optimism over a rapid rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, which may result in faster economic recovery across the globe, underpinned the sentiment for emerging-market assets. Owing to this, the safe-haven USD weakened globally and, in turn, supported the Indian currency last week.

The government issued a new 10 year bond, which saw the cut off yield at 5.85%, higher than the 5.77% cut off yield seen in the auction of the previous 10 year benchmark bond, a couple of months ago. The yield of 5.85% is still low as the last time government bond yields went below 6% was in 2008-09 during the global financial crisis. However, the market is showing reluctance to bring down the bond yield despite RBI’s firm commitment to keep down the long bond yields through OMO purchases of around Rs 1.4 trillion including operation twists and SDL purchases.

USD slipped against major world currencies last week, while riskier currencies were trading higher, buoyed by improved risk appetite following COVID-19 vaccine progress and Joe Biden's U.S. election victory. The surge in COVID-19 cases across the US and Congress remains deadlocked over an additional rescue bill h kept the USD from weakening too fast.

The success of covid vaccine in trials has given hopes for markets for an economic recovery with equity markets in India and globally touching record highs. The vaccines are expected to be available from early 2021.

he first week of the new fiscal year saw bond markets stutter at first and then regain composure on the back of bond positive data.

RBI came out with an OMO (Open Market Operation) sale auction announcement when the benchmark ten year bond, the 8.40% 2024 bond yield touched two months lows of 8.40%.

The bond market is having its first “Happy Diwali” in almost six years given that sentiments have been bearish on yields since beginning of 2009.

The benchmark long bond, the 9.23% 2043 bond, saw yields fall by 18bps week on week to close at levels of 8.36%.

Japanese Yen depreciated by 0.68% on weekly basis against the USD as the country posted weak economic data.

Markets took profits on shorts as USD had fallen sharply in anticipation of fresh stimulus by the new US president. This will be temporary given that Fed will pump in money to support the huge fiscal spending by the US government on resurgence of corona virus.

The government a fiscal stimulus package of USD 20 billion as a Diwali gift to the economy in addition to an incentive scheme worth around USD 800 million to revive the covid hit economic growth. The fiscal package comes in the wake of severe stress on government finances as seen by the shortfall in revenues.

Government bond yields rose last week on the back of multiple issues hurting bond market sentiments.

Joe Biden winning the US Presidential elections will weaken the USD as the government will float a fresh and huge fiscal package to shore up the covid hit US economy. Fed has indicated continued record low rates and bond purchases, adding huge amounts of USD liquidity into the system.

U.S. election results, Joe Biden presidency checked by a Republican-controlled Senate will lead to USD weakness going ahead. The Democrat is seen pursuing policies conducive to trade and the environment, while a divided Congress may stop him from firing a fiscal bazooka. That means more exports and faster growth for developing nations, as well as a boost for riskier assets from a more accommodative Federal Reserve.

Government bond yields fell marginally last week on the back of RBI OMO purchase auction announcement.

USA Elections 2020 results have not been announced yet. Democratic candidate Joe Biden is leading Republican nominee, President Donald Trump, in terms of electoral votes. Markets are factoring in Biden's Win in USA Election 2020 as he's inching towards the majority of 270 mark.

INR fell against USD across the week in risk off trading. Rising COVID cases across the globe and no US fiscal stimulus have unnerved investors prompting a move out of riskier assets and currencies, such as the INR towards safe havens such as the USD. On the domestic front, expectation of another stimulus package is doing round and that could also weigh on the INR. Market participants are waiting for more clarity on the same and that could keep the volatility in check.

The government, in a surprise announcement, increased the gross borrowing for this fiscal year to Rs 12 trillion from Rs 7.80 trillion budgeted and the 1st half borrowing was increased to Rs 6 trillion from Rs 4.88 trillion.

INR ended the week lower against USD last week despite improvement in the global risk sentiment as RBI bought USD to prevent sharp appreciation of INR. The RBI has stood in the way of INR appreciation for the past couple of months and absorbed most USD inflows of foreign investments into Indian companies and assets. Since the beginning of September, the RBI has added USD 13.69 billion to its foreign exchange reserves, taking it to a record high of USD 555.12 billion as on Oct 16. INR depreciated by 0.35% against the USD last week and depreciated by 1.43% against the euro.

RBI first ever SDL OMO purchase auction of Rs 100 billion saw total amount offered by participants at Rs 154.75 billion, out which Rs 100 billion was accepted. Highest cut off yield stood at 6.68% for 7.95% JAMMU KASHMIR SDL 2030.

The bond market is now absorbing weekly supply, upwards of Rs 300 billion and has been absorbing weekly supply of over Rs 400 billion in the last 6 months. The supply inundation has led to a steep yield curve with the spread of the 1 year tbill to the 10 year bond at levels of over 250bps. SDLs too have seen spreads rise to 85bps from levels of around 60bps despite RBI announcing SDL OMO purchases for the first time ever.

INR ended the week lower against USD last week after IMF forecast that the Indian economy would contract by -10.3% this year after being severely hit by the coronavirus lockdown. However, the IMF was upbeat regarding its recovery saying that India was well placed to start recovering from the crisis with the support from fiscal and monetary policy.

Government of India revised borrowing for Oct 2020- March 2021.To meet GST Compensation Cess shortfall of Rs 1.1 trillion, the Government of India borrowing calendar is extended. For the H2FY21 (from 19th October 2020 to 12th March 2021)

Inflation is much higher than RBI managed interest rates and this can lead to macro economic instability as real negative rates hurts private savings and also leads to currency depreciation that will cause outflows of capital. Low rates at times of rising inflation will lead to excessive debt in the economy as government and corporates get cheap money and this can lead to inflation trending higher.

INR ended the week marginally higher against USD last week amid improvement in the appetite for riskier assets across the globe and due to persistent foreign fund inflows for investments into Indian entities. However, the gain remained capped as RBI intervened in the currency market to avoid sharp INR appreciation. INR appreciated by 0.01% against the USD last week and depreciated by 0.65% against the euro.

Bond markets are now held captive by the RBI, as they cannot express their views on macro economic policies and expectations on inflation. In the short term, bond yields will stay lower, as RBI has taken out the market’s ability to short but in the longer term, the repercussions will be catastrophic if the economy does not recover in a sustained manner.

In the second half of fiscal year 2020-21, Union Government will borrow Rs 4340 billion, which is 36.17% of the budgeted borrowing for full fiscal year. During first half, Government has borrowed Rs 7660 billion and net borrowing was at Rs 6354.28 billion.

The government kept to its budgeted borrowing plan for fiscal 2020-21, as it released the 2nd half borrowing program. The borrowing program size was increased in April 2020 on COVID led lockdown. Bond markets were nervous on higher than expected borrowing for the 2nd half but were provided relief by the government.

INR ended the week higher against USD last week as the demand was largely buoyed by foreign investments into a slew of Indian companies. INR appreciated by 0.64% against the USD last week and marginally depreciated by 0.01% against the euro.

RBI sent out two different signals to the bond market last week, confusing traders who were anyway nervous on the 2nd half supply of bonds from the government. In the OMO bond purchase auction, RBI rejected all bids and traders took this as a signal that the central bank did not want to accept bids at lower than market yields.

INR traded lower against the USD last week as the market sentiment weakens amid concerns that a surge in COVID-19 cases may hamper economic recovery. However, INR garnered support from likely foreign fund inflows for initial public offerings of three Indian companies that were open for subscription for foreign investors.

RBI devolved the full auction of the Rs 180 billion benchmark 10 year bond, the 5.77% 2030 bond, on to the Primary Dealers indicating its preference for lower yield cut off in the auction. The devolvement was at levels of 6.02%. This is the second consecutive devolvement for the full auction of Rs 180 billion of the 5.77% 2030 bond, the devolvement was at yields of 6.14% on the 28th of August.

RBI August 2020 policy minutes suggest hawkishness over inflation and possibility of no more rate cuts going forward. Central and state government finances are in a huge fiscal mess and borrowings are set to increase from already high levels. Normally inflation plus heavy bond supply will push up yields sharply to levels where the market is comfortable in absorbing the supply.

RBI, sensing fatigue in the market for government bonds, conducted an operation twist for total purchase and sale of bonds of Rs 200 billion. 10-year benchmark bond yield fell by 5bps after rising by almost 15bps from lows on the back of the RBI operation twist.

RBI August 2020 policy minutes suggest hawkishness over inflation and possibility of no more rate cuts going forward. Central and state government finances are in a huge fiscal mess and borrowings are set to increase from already high levels.

In normal times, high government bond supply and inflation trending at higher than RBI target levels would push up bond yields, as markets would increasing the risk premium on bonds. However, given the pandemic that has led to a steep fall in GDP for the 1st quarter of fiscal 2020-21, RBI is intent on supporting government borrowings at low yields and when markets took up yields by 40bps post release of hawkish RBI August policy minutes, the central bank came out with supportive measures and a strong statement on keeping down yields.

In normal times, high government bond supply and inflation trending at higher than RBI target levels would push up bond yields, as markets would increasing the risk premium on bonds. However, given the pandemic that has led to a steep fall in GDP for the 1st quarter of fiscal 2020-21, RBI is intent on supporting government borrowings at low yields and when markets took up yields by 40bps post-release of hawkish RBI August policy minutes, the central bank came out with supportive measures and a strong statement on keeping down yields.

RBI governor came out with worried statements on market behavior and MPC minutes showed high worries on inflation by members. Given the continued high supply of government bonds and SDLs and with switches that increases supply of long end paper, RBI worries on inflation and markets hit bond yields hard. There is nothing to look forward to for traders, as supply and high inflation rules at present.

RBI devolved around 20% of the new 10 year bond, the 5.77% 2030 bond, on to the primary dealers, indicating its unwillingness to chase the tail. The market was spooked by inflation for July printing at close to 7% levels and cut off yield for the 5.77% 2030 bond in the auction was 5.96%, almost 20bps higher than the yield at which the bond was first auctioned in end July.

RBI kept rates at record lows in its policy review last week and pledged high liquidity and continued accommodative policy given the forecast of negative GDP growth this year. The central bank has kept the door open for more rate cuts. The lack of rate cuts pushed up bond yields marginally across the curve.

RBI policy this week will see no changes in monetary policy given that markets have largely been stable since its June policy. The government issued a new 10 year bond, which saw the auction cut off at 5.77% not very far down from the old 10 year bond yield, the 5.79% 2030 bond that was trading at levels of 5.80%.

The COVID 19 lockdown continued in July across states, placing a question mark on the resumption of business activity in the country. The first few results for the 1st quarter of FY 21 does not look promising with major industry players in the infrastructure, automobile, and other industrial sectors reporting degrowth in the quarter with no optimism on guidance. Agri and to some extent pharma and FMCG sectors have shown traction while the IT sector has shown some sort of stability but no promising outlook on growth.

The spread differential between the new 10 year bond, the 5.79% 2030 bond and the old 10 year bond the 6.45% 2029 bond is at just 9bps. The spread has fallen from over 20bps since the issuance of the new bond. The sharp fall in spread indicates that the market is bullish and is willing to compress the spread for extra yield.

RBI has been aggressively buying USD to prevent an INR appreciation and this is driving down yields across the yield curve. However, short end yields are down sharply with 5*10 segment of the curve spread at 92bps indicating the liquidity effect of fx purchases. RBI has bought USD 35 billion of fx, April to date, and has added Rs 2.2 trillion of liquidity into the system.

RBI, sensing fatigue in the market for government bonds, conducted an operation twist for total purchase and sale of bonds of Rs 200 billion. 10-year benchmark bond yield fell by 5bps after rising by almost 15bps from lows on the back of the RBI operation twist.

Lower global crude oil prices have had an opposite effect on retail fuel prices, with the prices rising by more than 12% over the last one month. The government desperately requires revenues given the economic slowdown on lockdown and is targeting duties from fuel as a source of revenue.

The sharp contraction in IIP coupled with high food inflation will keep government bond yields ranged with a marginal upward bias.

Fed’s gloomy forecast on US economy will weigh on the USD in the longer term as rates stay at 0% and the central banks prints endless amount of currency.

A steepening UST yield curve drove risk appetite higher in global markets, pulling up risk assets.

Global currencies traded sharply higher on Friday following shockingly strong U.S. labor market numbers.

RBI delivered on rate cuts with the Repo rate at record low levels of 4% and Reverse Repo rate at 3.35%.

INR ended the week higher against the USD last week, largely on the anticipation of foreign fund inflows and amid broad weakness in the USD.

The longer end of the curve compressed sharply with respect to the new 10 year benchmark bond, the 5.79% 2030 bond as markets played for flattening of the curve

INR ended the week lower last week as RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, in an out-of-schedule monetary policy address announced that the Monetary Policy Committee decided to lower the repo rate by 40 basis points to an all-time low of 4.00% to combat economic risks linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bond markets are undaunted by supply and yields have trended down from highs despite supply announcements by the government.

INR ended the week marginally lower against USD as market participants were worried about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on India’s macroeconomic fundamentals after the Centre said it will have to borrow an additional Rs 4.20 trillion in 2020-21.

INR ended the week lower against USD as risk appetite across the globe was weighed down by lingering tensions between the US and China.

The government is looking at further measures to support the economy that has suffered due to the lockdown, and the total bailout and stimulus coupled with lack of tax collection and other revenues could potentially double the fiscal deficit from targeted 3.5% of GDP.

INR ended the week higher against USD on optimism over the progress in a drug trial for the treatment of COVID-19 and also over the expectation of re-opening of several economies that had come to a halt due to the coronavirus pandemic.

RBI announced an operation twist, selling 2020-21 maturity bonds and buying bonds maturing in 2026,28,29,30.

INR ended the week marginally lower against USD despite hitting its new record low level of Rs 76.92 on Wednesday.

RBI in an unscheduled policy announcement cut the reverse repo rate by 25bps, widening the LAF repo-reverse repo corridor to 65bps in order to discourage banks to park excess liquidity with the RBI.

INR on Thursday hit a new record low level of Rs 76.8675 against the USD on deepening concerns that the coronavirus pandemic could lead to a global economic recession, which weakens the market risk sentiment.

The first government bond auction for the fiscal year 2020-21 held last week saw the auction go through without the need for RBI to devolve the auction on underwriters.

The US Fed buying junk bonds in its latest USD 2.3 trillion program can unleash a flight of USD, as investors worry about the money thrown into the system.

10 year benchmark bond, the 6.45% 2029 bond, saw volatile trading last week, falling by 30bps then rising from lows by 14bps. Bond markets got a whiff of impending rate cuts and took down yields from highs and once RBI announced its rate cuts on Friday, the markets took profits.

INR gained against the USD after touching record low levels of Rs 76.29 on Monday. The gain came after the USD turned volatile against majors, shedding its gains on record money printing by the Fed.

RBI, in line with Fed, ECB, BOE, BOJ and other global central banks has commenced bond-buying through OMO purchase auctions to infuse liquidity into the system and also to try and keep surging costs of corporate borrowing down with lower government bond yields. RBI conducted Rs 100 billion OMO purchase auction last week and will be conducting Rs 300 billion of OMO auctions next week.

The USD is the world’s reserve currency and in times of market crisis as seen in 2020 due to the coronavirus and in 2008 when a credit bubble burst, there is excess demand for USD in relation to supply

The impact of corona virus on the economy will prompt RBI to cut rates by at least 50bps to record lows. Bond markets are factoring in steep rate cuts with the 5 year OIS yield trading at 4.77%.

INR depreciated sharply by 2.17% against the USD and touched a record low of Rs 74.08, as FIIs sold equities and bonds for USD 1.6 billion and USD 0.5 billion respectively last week.

The impact of the corona virus is felt in bond yields globally with US 10 year treasury yields plunging to record lows while Japan and Eurozone bond yields are in deeply negative territory.

Investor sentiment globally was marred by fading hopes of the virus being contained anytime soon, leading to fears of a global recession.

The RBI announced a Bond Switch or Conversion auction for Rs 370 billions scheduled on the 24th of February.

The Japanese Yen (JPY) and the Euro fell to multi-year lows against the USD and this sharp fall in the world’s two major currencies is starting to worry markets.

Bond market is shrugging off CPI inflation printing at 6 year highs and core inflation rising above 4% after many months.

INR outlook can turn positive despite a weak economy largely on the back of weak oil prices and rising debt flows.

RBI is pumping in money into the markets at cheap rates to encourage banks to lend and also to invest in credit markets.

INR traded marginally lower against the USD last week after the Budget 2020 disappointed market participants.

The government is borrowing Rs 700 billion more in fy 20 as compared to last year but the higher number is unlikely to take up bond yields.

INR traded marginally lower against USD ahead of the Union Budget 20-21, as the spread of new coronavirus across several countries dented global risk appetite.

Total government borrowing Central plus State Governments, could be over Rs 16 trillion in fiscal 2020-21, growth of over 20% year on year.

INR traded lower against the USD last week ahead of Union Budget 2020-21, which will be tabled in the parliament next on the 1st of February.

The government has done bond switches worth Rs 2.24 trillion, fiscal 2019-20 year to date to ease the repayment of bond maturities that are coming up over the next two years.

Despite the improvement in global risk appetite, INR traded lower against the USD last week as market participants remained cautious over the state of the economy after India’s headline inflation surged to an over five-year high of 7.35% in December from 5.54% in the previous month.

The benchmark 10 year government bond is the worst performing asset in calendar year 2017.

RBI announced Operation Twist for the second consecutive week for an amount of Rs 100 billion, buying the 10 year benchmark bond, the 6.45% 2029 bond, and selling short end bonds.

INR ended the week lower against the USD amid persistent USD buying by the central bank, along with concerns about India’s weakening growth, crude oil price rise and strain on government’s finances, all of which have led to a view of weakness in the INR.

RBI is buying the 10 year bond and selling short end bonds, an action that is termed as “Operation Twist”. Twist was done by the US Federal Reserve to bring down long term bond yields in order to keep long term interest rates down.

INR ended the week lower against USD amid rising crude oil prices and strengthening of the USD after the risk of UK exiting the European Union without a trade deal resurfaced.

INR ended the week higher against the USD last week amid improvement in the market risk sentiment despite the release of weak domestic macro-economic data.

CPI inflation for November was at a 40 months high of 5.54% largely on the back of rise in food prices. Core CPI inflation was at 3.4% to 3.6% signalling lack of pricing power given weak consumer demand.

INR ended the week higher against the USD last week amid continued foreign fund inflows into corporates who are looking to raise funds from offshore investors.

The bond market took the surprise lack of rate cut by the RBI in its policy review last week, as a sign of the government showing higher than budgeted fiscal deficit for this fiscal year.

The nominal GDP growth of 6.1% for the second quarter of fiscal 2019-20 against the projected growth of 11.5% throws the government’s fiscal math for a huge toss.

INR ended the week marginally lower against the USD as market participants remained cautious ahead of the release of gross domestic product data, which was released after market hours on Friday.

The government is facing a revenue shortfall that could exceed well over Rs 2 trillion on the back of a big bang corporate tax rate cut and falling direct tax and GST revenue growth due to the economic slowdown.

INR gained marginally against the USD last week after the government said it will sell majority stake in BPCL, SCI and CCI.

Weak economic data from IIP growth to inflation and trade is hurting sentiments on the government’s fiscal deficit.

INR, last week, fell sharply against the USD, as CPI inflation for October came in at 4.62%, which is a 16 months high.

The weakening economic outlook prompted Moody’s to lower India’s sovereign rating to negative from stable citing the impact on government finances.

The bailout packages to sectors including banks, NBFCs, PSUs, Real Estate and the big bang corporate tax rate cut have placed the INR under pressure.

INR ended the week higher against the USD, largely helped by broad USD weakness on Friday.

The bond market is flushed with liquidity but is reluctant to take down bond yields sharply at the longer end of the yield curve.

The yield on the 10 year benchmark bond, the 6.45% 2029 bond, moved up by 1bps week on week to close at 6.52% levels on worries of extra borrowings by the government.

INR ended the week lower against the USD amid concerns over the progress of China-US trade talks, IMF downgraded India growth forecast and there was increased demand for the USD from importers.

IIP data for August 2019 showed a negative growth of 1.1%, the lowest in 6.5 years while passenger vehicle sales fell 24% year on year in September.

INR ended the week lower against the USD after exhibiting volatility during the week amid uncertainty over US-China trade deal, rising crude oil prices, foreign fund outflows and on fears that the RBI may prevent a sharp rise in the INR through its USD buying interventions.

INR ended the week lower against the USD last week, as foreign portfolio investors pulled out funds from domestic assets after the RBI delivered a lower-than-expected cut in the repo rate in its monetary policy meeting on Friday.

The cut off in the auction of a new 10 year benchmark government bond came in at 6.45% and the bond yield trended up by 1bps post cut off to close at 6.46%. The old 10 year benchmark bond, the 7.46% 2029 bond saw yields close at 6.66%, 20bps spread to the 6.45% 2029 bond.

INR ended higher against USD last week amid easing crude oil prices and foreign fund inflows.

Government bond yields are expected to trend down from highs on the back of RBI rate cut and easing of higher than expected borrowing worries.

The bond markets reacted negatively to the big bang tax rate cut by the government on the 20th of September.

INR remained largely volatile last week amid weakness in the global market sentiment but ended the week flat.

INR ended the week higher against the USD last week and posted gains for seven consecutive trading sessions amid improvement in global risk appetite and due to the release of upbeat domestic industrial data.

ECB lowering deposit rates by 10 bps to negative 50bps and announcing bond purchase program of Euro 20 billion a month will drive central banks across the world from US Fed onwards to cut rates to keep currencies competitive.

INR ended lower against the USD last week, as the appetite for riskier assets worsened amid escalation in trade standoff between the US and China over the weekend. INR was also under additional pressure after a slump in India’s GDP growth for the quarter ended June 2019 weakened the sentiment and affirmed the case of slowdown in global economic growth spilling over to emerging markets.

The release of weak GDP growth data for the1st quarter of fiscal 2019-20, where GDP growth came in at 5%, against full year growth forecasts of around 7%, increased markets expectations of rate cuts by the RBI in its October 2019 policy review.

INR traded higher against the USD last week following positive developments in the US-China trade talks, easing crude oil prices and over RBI’s decision to transfer a record Rs 1.76 trillion dividend and surplus reserves to the government.

The 10 year benchmark government bond gave up all its gains post RBI dividend to the government and closed the week 13bps higher from lows. Read our report on RBI dividend to government.

The 2 year government bond saw yields at 5.87% levels with strong bids seen in the last auction. However the benchmark 10 year bond has seen yields rise by over 25 bps from lows over the last three weeks on worries of extra borrowing by the government to provide stimulus to the economy.

INR fell to Rs 72-mark against the USD for the first time in 2019, following s selloff in domestic equities and amid weakness in Chinese Yuan, which fell to a fresh 11-year low level. INR depreciated by 0.71% against the USD last week and depreciated by 0.52% against the euro.

The “Noise” surrounding bond markets has increased in volume and this is moving bond yields at present. Bond yields are being jerked up and down on the various factors that are hitting the markets on an almost everyday basis.

INR ended the week lower against the USD amid weak risk appetite.

The benchmark 10 year government bond, the 7.26% 2029 bond saw yields rise by 14bps week on week to close at levels of 6.49%.

Currency markets will see high volatility amid the noise surrounding the markets.

The RBI is going into this week’s policy review on the back of global bond yields plunging to fresh lows on Fed rate cut and increased tensions in the US-China trade war, the government calling for large rate cuts to shore up a flagging economy and the bond markets pulling down yields to levels factoring in more accommodation in the form of rate cuts and liquidity.

INR ended the week lower against the USD last week as soaring crude oil prices and a fresh flare up in US-China trade tensions weighed on emerging market currencies.

The Fed is likely to cut rates for the first time in a decade this week and signal further cuts given the stress world economies are going through, which could filter into the US economy.

INR ended the week lower against the USD last week largely due to sustained foreign fund outflows and firm crude oil prices.

INR ended the week lower against the USD last week despite the expectations of monetary policy easing by the RBI and US Federal Reserve in the coming weeks.

The bullish case for interest rates is still high and that will keep the 10 year government bond yield down and on a downward path, with bits of volatility here and there. RBI, if it sounds caution on more rate cuts in its August policy meet, can drive up the bond yield sharply.

INR ended the week lower against the USD last week amid rising crude oil prices, foreign fund outflows and due to early week USD strength.

INR ended the week higher against the USD on Friday after government in a surprise move announced a lower fiscal deficit and unveiled plans to sell debt overseas.

Rate cut by the RBI in its August policy review is almost certain on the back of the government lowering the fiscal deficit from 3.4% of GDP to 3.3% of GDP for this fiscal year in its budget presented on the 5th of July.

The 10 year benchmark government bond, the 7.26% 2029 bond saw yields close 18bps higher from lows seen a couple of weeks ago, as markets took profits ahead of the budget

INR ended the week higher against USD on Friday and traded above Rs 69 level against USD for the first time since April 11, as the market keenly awaited further cues from the high-stakes G20 summit.

INR ended the week higher against the USD after US Federal Reserve’s monetary policy statement and economic projections raised expectations of a cut in the federal funds target range and spurred foreign fund inflows into domestic financial assets.

The bond market is in for a sustained bull run with RBI, Fed and ECB all suggesting stimulus for their respective economies.

Interest rate curves fell sharply last week on the back of multiple positive cues for rates.

INR, on Friday, weakened to hit two weeks low against the USD tracking losses in Asian currencies market on weak China data and on fragile risk sentiment on trade and geopolitical concerns.

Fed rate cut bets pushed down yields on the 10 year UST and also drove down the USD against global majors.

INR traded higher against the USD last week, helped by falling UST yields and change in June RBI policy stance from neutral to accommodative and cut in Repo Rate by 25bps.

INR that gained from political stability post election results on 23rd May is likely to face heat from the weak 4th quarter GDP numbers and Trump’s tariff threat on Mexico.

The sharp deceleration in GDP growth in the 4th quarter of fiscal 2018-19, with growth at 5.8% against full year 2018-19 growth of 6.8%, could prompt RBI to cut rates by 50bps in its policy review this week.

The election victory for the ruling NDA party has taken out political risk from bond markets and also ensures continuity of fiscal policy, as laid out in the interim budget for fiscal 2019-20. Bond yields fell sharply on rate cut hopes and increased liquidity infusion by the RBI.

INR traded higher against the USD last week after BJP-led NDA government had a landslide victory in the recently concluded general elections.

INR can fall to record lows if opposition wins the elections, the implementing the NYAY will push up fiscal deficit and take up bond yields sharply.

Election results will drive bond yields this week. The biggest risk for bond yields is an opposition win, as implementation of NYAY can cause a huge hole in the fiscal.

INR weakened last week against the USD amid escalation in U.S. China trade war, firming up of oil prices and FII outflows.

The government bond market is being pushed and pulled resulting in bond yields trading in a range and having no clear direction.

INR strengthen last week against the USD amid broad weakness in USD and easing crude oil prices. Crude oil prices fell sharply after data released on Thursday showed that US crude stockpiles rose 9.9 million barrels in the week ended Apr 26 to 470.6 million barrels, highest since September 2017.

The government issued a New 30 year bond, the 7.63% 2059 bond, at spreads of 29bps over the 10 year benchmark bond, the 7.26% 2029 bond.

INR weakened beyond Rs 70 against the USD last week. On Thursday, the INR fell below the Rs 70 per USD mark for the first time since March this year.

INR ended the week lower against USD owing to sustained demand for the USD from importers and rising global crude oil prices.

Liquidity deficit went above the Rs 1 trilion mark last week, as high government cash balance and rise in currency in circulation sucked out liquidity from the system.

Bond markets saw a sharp rise in yields across segments, as markets fretted over elections, rate cut uncertainty and supply.

INR ended the week marginally higher against the USD on account of selling in USD by banks and exporters amid sustained foreign fund inflows.

The bond market reaction to the repo rate cut of 25bps by the RBI in its policy review last week suggests that the market is questioning the way forward for the central bank.

INR ended the week lower last week after the central bank delivered its widely anticipated second rate cut of the year but refrained from shifting to a more easy stance on monetary policy.

The bond market will brace for government bond and SDL supply of around Rs 250 billion to Rs 270billion on a weekly basis starting the 1st week of April.

INR ended the week lower on month end demand and profit booking. The INR should stay ranged around Rs 69 to Rs 70 levels until the elections end in May.

The financial year end 31st March is always a difficult month for bond markets given tight liquidity conditions and prospects of supply hitting the markets in April, through fresh government borrowing.

The long maturity USD 5 billion USD/INR Swap Auction to be held on 26th March will see the INR give up partial gains that saw the currency rally to 2019 year highs last week.

Credit markets saw a new lease of life after a prolonged period of nervousness post the IL&FS debt default in September 2018.

The Indian rupee saw strong gains last week on hectic FII buying of Indian assets. The currency is aided by dovish Fed and ECB, low domestic and global inflation and speculation on the current government being reelected in the May 2019 polls.

Bond market sentiments are turning distinctly positive with INR strengthening to below Rs 70 to the USD, FIIs turning net buyers of bonds, central banks across the globe turning dovish and RBI buying bonds through OMOs to infuse liquidity into the system.

USD ended the week higher last week against major world currencies despite falling sharply on Friday after the release of mixed labor market report, which showed a surprising slump in job gains for February.

The INR ended the week higher against the USD, as Indo-Pak tensions eases after Pakistan handed back an Indian Air Force pilot captured in the confrontation following the Kashmir suicide bombing.

OIS (Overnight Indexed Swaps) yields fell sharply last week on rate cut optimism.

The INR ended the week higher against USD on heavy foreign capital inflows after growing expectations that the Federal Reserve would keep interest rate on hold this year.

The release of a dovish RBI policy minutes of the February MPC meeting failed to stop yields from rising across the market segment.

Bond yields at the short end of the curve turned bullish on rate cut expectations in RBI April policy.

The INR ended the week marginally higher against the USD despite falling during the later part of the week amid rising crude prices and heavy foreign fund outflows.

The bond market is awaiting the government borrowing numbers for fiscal 2019-20, which will be released in the interim budget on the 1st of February.

The interim budget for 2019-20 unveiled higher spending by the government on farmers and unorganized workers and tax sops for the middle class, which have led to fiscal deficit being set at 3.4% of GDP, higher than target of 3% of GDP.

The rate cut by the RBI in its policy review last week, saw the markets pulling down yields at the short end of the yield curve with the benchmark 5 year government bond yield falling by 21bps while the 10 year benchmark bond yield fell by just 5bps on a week on week basis.

The INR ended the week marginally higher against USD last week as softer crude oil prices and gains in domestic equities bolstered currency market sentiments.

The INR ended the week lower last week despite RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) lowering the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.25% in its sixth bi-monthly policy review.

The INR remained rangebound throughout the week against the USD but ended the week lower as concerns related to fiscal slippage weighed on the sentiment after the interim budget unveiled some big populist measures ahead of the general elections.

Government bond yields rose on the back of worries of the government exceeding its fiscal deficit targets in its interim budget to be presented on the 1st of February 2019.

The INR posted a second consecutive weekly loss against the USD, largely due to foreign fund outflows, higher crude oil prices, stronger USD and concerns over an expansionary fiscal policy in the upcoming budget.

The government issued a new ten year benchmark bond last week, the 7.26% 2029 bond.

The INR ended the week lower after posting gains in the last three consecutive weeks. The fall in INR is largely attributed to the gain in crude oil prices, which rallied by more than 6% last week.

Onion prices have fallen by more than 80% and this is worrying the bond market.

The INR was highly volatile last week but managed to end the week higher against the USD despite USD exhibiting strength mid part of the week against major world currencies largely on the back off easing tensions between the White House and the Federal Reserve. However, tumbling oil prices continued to provide support to INR.

Government bonds went on turbo drive last week, as plunging oil prices, falling global bond yields and RBI OMO announcements placed the market on a bull orbit.

The benchmark 10 year government bond yield fluctuated wildly, rising and falling by 20bps in a couple of days on the back of the drama played out in the RBI.

The INR last week appreciated sharply against the USD and traded below Rs 70 levels during the week, the INR also posted its highest one-day gain since September 2013 on 18th December.

RBI has pumped in Rs 1360 billion of primary liquidity into the system through OMO bond purchases and is planning to add Rs 400 billion more in December 2018.

Banks have been beneficiaries of the freeze in credit markets post IL&FS defaults a couple of months back.

The Indian Rupee strengthened above the Rs 71 per USD mark on Thursday for the first time after a gap of two-and-a-half months, as crude oil prices continued to fall.

The Indian Rupee traded below Rs 72 per USD level for the first time since 21st September, as oil prices posted sharp falls last week, easing worries over the current account deficit.

RBI could introduce a refinance window for NBFCs, similar to the one introduced in the 2008 crisis, in its board meeting on 19th November.

Government bond yields fell on the back of INR strength, easing global oil prices, RBI OMO bond purchases and FII buying of INR Bonds.

The Indian rupee ended higher last week on fall in risk aversion post US mid term elections, with equities rising and bond yields rising, as markets cut safe haven assets positions.

The government has been eyeing RBIs contingency reserves of more than Rs 3 trillion as it believes that the money belongs to the government and not the RBI.

RBI has announced OMO bond purchases of Rs 400 billion in November and this could lead to a short supply of government bonds in the market for this fiscal half year.

Indian Rupee exhibited high volatility last week and ended the week lower against the USD.

The minutes of the October policy review of the MPC is purely focused on inflation and has completely ignored the stress the market is going through at present.

Government bond yields fell last week on the back of RBI OMO bond purchases, expectations of a lower CPI inflation print for September 2018, INR rallying from record lows and drop in UST yields from multiyear highs.

Indian Rupee gained last week against the USD despite touching fresh record low levels of Rs 74.48 against the USD on Thursday.

Indian Rupee fell to fresh record low levels of Rs 74.22 on Friday, breaching the Rs 74-mark against the USD, after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept key policy rates unchanged.

The October RBI policy decision of no rate hike was largely determined by the mess caused by IL&FS default.

The bond market has had a difficult period for the whole of this fiscal year with sentiments being hurt by multiple factors of INR depreciation, FII selling, bond supply from centre and states, RBI rate hikes, rising oil prices and even a credit crisis on IL&FS default. Liquidity too has turned structurally negative.

Indian Rupee was range bound last week ahead of the important RBI policy statement that will be released this week.

Volatility shifted to credit markets last week on the back of contagion effect of IL&FS default. Yields on DHFL CPs and bonds spiked on Friday as rumors of liquidity issues with the company hit the market

Rally in US equities to record highs and global equities to record highs on receding fears of an esclating trade war between US and China saw the USD come off last week.

The OMO announcement will provide support to bond yields in the near term but markets will stay nervous on borrowing and rate hike worries.

Indian Rupee ended the week at Rs 71.86 levels against the USD after touching its fresh all-time low level of Rs 72.91 on Wednesday.

The bond market is hit by negative factors from all sides, falling INR, negative BOP for the 1st quarter of fiscal 2018-19, rising fuel prices, RBI rate hike expectations in October, higher probability of more Fed rate hikes, risk aversion on global trade tensions and impending higher government bond supply starting October 2018.

India’s 1st quarter of fiscal 2018-19 saw the BOP turn negative, which is leading to the sharp fall in the value of the INR.

The first quarter 2018-19 GDP growth at 8.2% is higher than RBI full year forecast of around 7.4%.

The Indian Rupee (INR) breached Rs 71 level against the USD for the first time ever on Friday on the back of a selloff in emerging market currencies gathering pace, month-end demand for the USD from oil importers and rise in crude oil prices.

Bond markets will see volatility rise in the month of September as the market braces for liquidity tightening, 2nd half government borrowing and RBI policy in the 1st week of October.

The INR traded below Rs 70 mark against the USD for the most part of the week but recovered on Friday to end the week at levels of Rs 69.91 to the USD.

The INR fell to below Rs 70 to the USD for the first time ever on the 14th of August 2018 and touched an all-time low level of Rs 70.40 to the USD, on the back of Turkish Lira collapse and widening trade deficit.

10 year benchmark gsec yield rose last week by 11bps as the INR fell to below Rs 70 to the USD for the first time on record.

Like many other countries around the world, Turkey is also at odds with the Trump administration and has been hit with the U.S. sanctions.

RBI sold USD 6.18 billion in June 2018 and cumulatively has sold USD 14.34 billion in the Aprril – June 2018 period, taking out Rs 976 billion of liquidity in the process.

RBI rate hike last week was largely shrugged off by the bond markets, with 10 year benchmark government bond yields falling before rising from lows to close the week 2bps lower week on week at 7.76% levels.

50bps rate hike will take up bond yields by around 25bps after which yields will stabilise. Overall, bond markets will view the 50bps rate hike as positive as pace of rate hikes can then be easily calibrated going forward removing market uncertainty.

Indian Rupee posted gains last week against the USD after touching its new all-time low level of Rs 69.13. INR was supported by USD selling from banks and exporters.

The falling INR (Chart 1) that closed at all time lows of below Rs 69 to the USD has impacted credit markets the most, especially at the short end of the yield curve.

Indian Rupee (INR) touched a new all-time low of Rs 69.13 against the USD as the Modi government faced its first no-confidence motion, tabled by opposition parties in Parliament on Friday.

The fact that bond yields have surged by 150bps from lows seen last year suggest that markets will not react to rate hikes by the RBI in its bi-monthly policy reviews.

Indian rupee slumped to its lowest-ever close on Thursday at Rs 68.88 against the USD, the previous closing low was the Rs 68.81, on August 28, 2013, when the currency was in a free fall as foreign investors pulled out from emerging markets in what came to be known as the ‘taper tantrum’.

RBI has been selling USD on the back of the INR closing at all time lows last week. Fx sales have sucked out liquidity of at least Rs 1 trillion

Last week the currency market globally exhibited high volatility largely due to the rising concern over U.S.-China trade war.

Bond markets are returning to normalcy after three months of high volatility that saw 10 year government bond yields jumping sharply by 80bps from levels of 7.20% seen post RBI April policy meet to multi year high levels of 8%.

Bond markets in India and globally are factoring in policy normalization by central banks. RBI hiked the repo rate in its meeting on the 6th of June while Fed hiked rates for the 2nd time this year in its meeting last week.

RBI hiked the repo rate by 25bps last week and will hike rates by at least 3 more times in the next nine months.

The 25bps rate hike by the RBI lowers uncertainty for markets on the timing of the hike. Bond yields are largely factoring in multiple rate hikes and the 25bps rate hike has not moved markets by much.

The INR on Friday, posted its biggest single day gain since March 14, 2017, surging 0.66% to close at level of Rs 67.78 against the USD .

RBI and the government must calm fears on Banks stability if markets are to trade normally. Fear provides opportunity for traders and investors to buy into higher yields but volatility will be high and one would have to have a strong heart to ride out the volatility.

The worst looks to be over for the bond markets, that have seen a sharp rise in yields across segments of the curve over the last two months.

INR that has fallen sharply this year on the back of many factors would see relief on easing trade war tensions.

The levels of 1 year CP, and CDs and 3 to 5 year Corporate Bonds are highly attractive and present very low risk.

INR was under pressure last week as it touched 15-months lows against the USD amid growing concerns over capital outflows as well as concern over trade deficit due to rising crude oil prices.

The INR closed at over one year lows last week, prompting the RBI to sell USD. RBI could have sold around USD 3 billion to prevent a free fall in the INR.

Bond market is jittery and this is showing in trading volumes and appetite for government bond auctions.

At 3% yields, the spread between the US 10 year US treasury yield and the 10 year government of India bond is at levels of 475bps.

INR lost more ground against the USD last week to close at over one-year lows. 10 year UST yield crossing 3% and rising oil prices drove the INR down. Will the INR weaken further?

Bond yields will hover around 7.75% with an inclination to rise but at every higher level of yields, market sentiments will start to change as the market is overly pessimistic at this point of time.

INR has seen sustained strength in calender year 2017 on the back of strong FII flows in debt and equity. The strong INR too allowed importers to go easy on hedges.

The government issued a new 5 year bond for Rs 30 billion on Friday the 13th of April. The cut off for the bond came in at 7.37% and bids were 4x the auction size, indicating good demand for the bond.

USD ended the week lower amid trade worries, geopolitical tension and the release of weak economic data last week.

The 10 year government bond, the 7.17% 2028 bond, saw a cut off of 7.15% in the government bond auction on Friday, the 6th of April.

The Indian Rupee appreciated by 0.31% against the USD after RBI lowered its inflation forecast and revised upwards its growth outlook, in its recently concluded policy meet.

The government took cognizance of rising bond yields and accordingly released a benign first half fiscal 2018-19 borrowing calendar.

USD ended the week higher largely on the back of easing trade tensions between U.S. & China, better than expected U.S.

RBI has been pumping in liquidity through Repos to make up for a shortfall of Rs 2.2 trillion of liquidity in the system.

USD ended the week lower despite Federal Reserve hiking interest rates on Wednesday.

State government borrowings are rising and rising fast. India’s state government borrowing at over Rs 4.07 trillion in fiscal 2017-18, is around 22% of total SDLs outstanding as of fiscal 2016-17, which was at Rs 18548 billion.UDAY bonds outstanding is at Rs 2.08 trillion.

USD ended the week lower last week amid global trade tensions and U.S. political turmoil.

Bond yields fell from highs last week as markets took profits from shorts. The market was in an oversold position with 10 year benchmark government bond yields rising by around 50bps since 23rd January 2018.

USD ended the week higher last week on better that expected U.S. monthly jobs report and Trump’s flexibility on U.S. tariffs.

Confused where to invest in the current fixed income environment? Look no further than 3 & 5 year AAA corporate bonds that are looking extremely attractive on the curve. At levels of 7.95% and 8.18% for benchmark 3 & 5 year AAA corporate bonds respectively, spread over repo and spread over the corresponding maturity government bonds offer high returns as well as high margin of safety.

USD ended the week marginally higher last week after paring most of its gains seen during the week after President Donald Trump said the U.S. will impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.

Bond prices tanked again last week, taking 10 year benchmark government bond yields to two year high levels of over 7.75%. Bond yields have been on a sustained rise since October 2017, with yields rising by over 100bps. Bond yields rose to levels of 7.78% last week before paring losses to close at 7.68%.

USD ended the week higher against major world currencies as minutes from Federal Reserve’s January meeting underlined expectations for faster hikes in U.S.

In our Fixed Income Risk & Strategy Workshop for Treasuries held on the 16th of February 2018 in Mumbai, one topic that was debated extensively was banks appetite for government bonds going forward.

USD slipped lower last week, as global equity markets showed signs of stability after a recent rout, reviving risk appetite.

The bond market is really worried about the absorption of supply of government bonds in fiscal 2018-19. The government is scheduled to borrow a gross of Rs 6.05 trillion and net of Rs 4.62 trillion of dated government bonds.

USD rose sharply against major world currencies last week, amid sell-off in the global equity markets.

The bond market is giving good levels for making money over the next 2 months. Bond yields have backed up sharply over a shot spam of time and risk – return is in favour of long rather than short positions.

Indian Rupee depreciated by 0.81% against USD and by 2.45% against Euro.

Banks are full up on SLR and with Recap Bonds, banks holding of bonds will rise further, eating into their net interest income.

The Central and State Governments are set to borrow a total of around Rs 11 trillion in fiscal 2018-19. Central government gross borrowing is estimated at Rs 6.4 trillion (Read our note on Fiscal Deficit and Government Borrowing for 2018-19) while states could borrow a gross of Rs 4.6 trillion.

USD continues its broad weakness to post decline for the fifth consecutive week as stronger global growth makes U.S. assets less attractive especially during a time when investors are worried about trade wars and the U.S.

RBI is causing more confusion for markets at a time when there is extreme nervousness. The Central Bank rejected all bids for the 7.73% 2034 bond and the 7.06% 2046 bond in the government bond auction last week. RBI had first rejected bids for the long bonds in the auction on 5th January and then accepted all bids in the auction on 12th January at much higher levels of yields.

USD continued to remain under pressure last week and posted its fifth consecutive week of decline. Many major currencies climbed to fresh multi-month and multi-year highs against the USD.

The new ten year benchmark bond, the 7.17% 2028 bond saw yield rise by 19bps week on week to close at levels of 7.28%. The bond priced fell to Rs 99.23 below Rs 100 face value.

The USD is having a very difficult start to the year after weakening by around 10% against a basket of major currencies last year. Economic outlook in other parts of the world, particularly in Europe, has improved, leading to the USD losing its safe haven status.

The government auctioned a new ten year benchmark bond in its bond auction last week. The cut off for the bond came in at 7.17% and post auction cut off, the bond yield fell to 7.09% levels.

USD fell last week against major world currencies as data showed that the U.S. economy created fewer jobs than expected in December.

The Year 2017 was the worst year for the USD in more than a decade with the USD Index (DXY) falling by over 9%.

The benchmark 10 year government bond, the 6.97% 2027 bond, saw yields close at calendar year highs last week.

The INR is up by 6.16% against the USD since December 2016 when it was trading slightly above its all-time low levels of Rs 68.8 (seen in August 2013) against the USD.

Gujarat Poll results, strong trade data, record levels of Sensex & Nifty and Fed on a steady rate hike path point to a surge in capital flows in 2018.

US Fed raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 bps to a range of 1.25% – 1.5% and kept its rate outlook unchanged for 2018 & 2019.

RBI stated post policy last week that it will suck out excess liquidity arising from fx operations by issuing MSS bonds and carrying out OMO bond sale auctions.

USD ended higher last week on healthy jobs data and expectations of tax reform to get done by December end.

USD saw volatile trading last week. U.S. Tax bill and series of economic data were in focus last week.

The 10 year benchmark bond, the 6.79% 2027 bond, saw yields close at over one year high levels at 7.06% last week.

Bond traders are at a wits end on how to make money in the market. Bond yields have backed up sharply by over 40bps since RBI October policy review.

Last week, the USD trended lower after Fed policy minutes release. While the Fed is on a rate hiking path, some policy makers including Yellen are concerned over persistently low inflation.

The 10 year benchmark government bond, the 6.79% 2027 bond, saw yields rise by 9bps week on week to close at over one year high levels of 7.04%.

INR gained 0.23% against the USD last week to close at levels of Rs 65.01.INR had trended lower to levels of Rs 65.40 on the back of global market risk aversion before gaining on Friday.

Supply creates its own demand when there are expectations of rate cuts or of inflation staying low.

USD started the week on a high note amid contrasting monetary policy outlook between the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan.

The new Fed Chair Jerome Powell, to replace Janet Yellen, is expected to continue rate hikes at a slow and steady pace.

USD saw choppy trading last week as market participants were cautious ahead of FOMC meet, announcement of new Fed chief, unveiling of U.S. Tax bill and series of economic data.

The Rs 2.11 trillion bank recapitalisation plan and the Rs 6.92 trillion road construction plan entails huge supply of bonds.

ECB will keep rates at record lows for the next one year, provide unlimited funding to banks and keep up asset purchases albeit at a lower size.

After rising for four consecutive weeks, USD fell on profit booking despite relatively decent U.S. data released in the recent past.

High Yield Bond Spreads are set to fall further as the market searches for returns at a time when interest rates are seen as bottoming out.

RBI rejected all bids for the 6.57% 2033 bond in last week’s government bond auction and instead exercised the green shoe option on the 6.68% 2031 bond.

Stronger-than-expected economic data along with hawkish comments from Federal Reserve officials and sharp fall in Euro after Catalans voted for independence helped to propel the USD sharply higher before the rally fizzled on reports that North Korea could test missiles this weekend.

Rate cut expectations are completely out of the bond market and if at all there is any surprise in RBI 3rd and 4th October policy review, it will be a rate cut.

USD ended the week in positive territory largely on the back U.S. tax plan, hawkish comments made by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen and the release of upbeat U.S. economic data.

Bond market participants will never forget the June-September 2013 period when Fed led a crash in bond prices and the value of the INR.

Indian Rupee fell to 6-month low levels against the USD.

India reported its highest fx reserves at USD 400.7 billion as of 8th September 2017 despite current account deficit jumping to 2.4% of GDP in the 1st qtr of this fiscal year from 0.1% of GDP and 0.6% of GDP in the 1st and 4th quarter of last fiscal year respectively.

USD remained highly volatile last week but managed to end the week higher against all of the major currencies except for the British pound despite a weaker retail sales report and news that North Korea fired another missile over Japan.

Sliding UST yields and USD is a liquidity headache for RBI.

USD came under pressure last week on rising tensions between the U.S. and North Korea, a top Federal Reserve official urging caution over further rate increases until the pace of inflation improved and hurricanes causing disaster in the US.

USD ended the week on a higher note despite weak monthly jobs report.

System liquidity as measured by bids for Repo, Reverse Repo, Term Repo and Term Reverse Repo in the LAF (Liquidity Adjustment Facility) auctions of the RBI and drawdown from Standing Facilities (MSF or Marginal Standing Facility and Export Credit Refinance) and MSS bond issuance was in surplus of Rs 4645 billion as of 1st September 2017 from levels of Rs 3437 billion as of 25th August 2017.

USD was volatile last week amid renewed geopolitical tension in the Korean Peninsula and drop in investor expectations of a third rate hike later this year, after Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen avoided talking about monetary policy in her speech at Jackson Hole.

System liquidity as measured by bids for Repo, Reverse Repo, Term Repo and Term Reverse Repo in the LAF (Liquidity Adjustment Facility) auctions of the RBI and drawdown from Standing Facilities (MSF or Marginal Standing Facility and Export Credit Refinance) and MSS bond issuance was in surplus of Rs 3437 billion as of 25th August 2017.

Risk aversion continues to be the main driver for the currency market and USD is likely to see high volatility on Trump and Geopolitical issues.

A study of RBI Rate Cuts over the 2000-2017 period reveals that this current rate cut cycle has more steam left.

Last week, the biggest driver for the currency market was the escalation of tensions between the U.S. and North Korea, which sent Japanese Yen sharply higher against the USD.

Incremental news and data point to more monetary easing by the RBI in its October 2017 policy review.

USD ended the week on a higher note against most of the major world currencies largely on the back of better-than-expected U.S.

The OIS market saw 5 year OIS yields falling by 14bps week on week to close at levels of 6.12%.

RBI is widely expected to cut rates by 25bps in its policy review meet on the 1st and 2nd of August 2017.

The INR appreciated by 0.26% against the USD last week on the back of broad USD weakness and record high fx reserves.

The benchmark 10 year bond, the 6.79% 2027 bond, saw yields falling by 3bps week on week to close at one month lows of 6.43%.

Major world currencies touched their multiyear high levels against the USD on the back of continued political uncertainty and weak outlook for Trump Bumps to the economy.

Slowing export growth, falling CPI inflation and weak IIP data points to a 50bps rate cut by the RBI in its policy review in August 2017.

USD saw broad based weakness last week while British Pound, Australian Dollar and Canadian Dollar saw good strength.

RBI’s auction of Rs 100 billion of government bonds through OMO saw demand for Rs 600 billion.

USD started the week on a high note but remained shaky amid expectations that several global central banks are getting ready to tighten monetary policy.

Last week was an extremely eventful week for the currency markets that saw many major currencies moving sharply higher against the USD.

Government bond yields rose last week on the back of multiple issues hurting bond market sentiments.

Five year OIS (Overnight Index Swap) yield fell by 10bps week on week to close at levels of 6.21%. One year OIS yield fell by 1bps to close at 6.20%.

Oil-linked currencies such as the Russian Ruble and Canadian Dollar and the Norwegian Krone were on the back foot last week largely dragged lower by declining oil prices.

The Fed in its FOMC meet last week raised interest rates for the third time since December 2016, citing strong labour markets.

USD was volatile last week despite Fed rate hike and guidance for one more rate hike this year. Fed hiked rates by 25bps, the third rate hike since December 2016, in its recently concluded FOMC meet on 14th June.

RBI lowering inflation expectations in its policy review last week will flatten yield curves as markets buy into long bonds on falling inflation risk premium in yields.

USD saw choppy trading last week as market participants were cautious ahead of Britain elections, the European Central Bank’s policy decision and former FBI director James Comey testimony to the U.S.

RBI is likely to maintain rates status quo in its policy meet this week and will remove the “upward bias” outlook on inflation.

RBI will keep the Repo Rate status quo in its bi monthly policy review on the 6th and 7th of June. The MPC (Monetary Policy Committee), which had sounded caution on inflation in the April meet, will remove the “Upside Risks to its CPI Inflation forecast of 4.5% to 5%”, which will be taken positively by the bond markets.

10 year benchmark AAA bond yields closed lower by 8bps at 7.60% levels with spreads down by 2bps at 85bps levels against the new 10 year benchmark gsec, the 6.79% 2027 gsec.

Moody’s Investors Services on Wednesday downgraded China’s long-term local and foreign currency issuer ratings by one notch to A1 from Aa3, citing expectations that the financial strength of the world’s second-biggest economy would erode in the coming years.

Inflation risks that were playing in the minds of bond market participants are receding leading to bond yields coming off.

USD came under heavy selling pressure last week against major world currencies such as Japanese Yen, Euro and British Pound.

The 6.79% 2027 gsec yield can go down to levels of around 6.55% and touch levels of 7.15% on the upper side until a fresh 10 year benchmark gsec is issued.

USD started the week on a positive note on Monday as it received support from profit taking in the Euro after Emmanuel Macron’s victory in the French presidential elections.

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USD ended lower last week despite a hawkish Federal Reserve and a better than expected April jobs report.

The system is facing a glut of liquidity and it is creating problems for the bond market. Liquidity that was in high surplus due to demonetization has been rising despite money going out of the system through currency in circulation, which has risen by Rs 800 billion in the first three weeks of this month.

Euro was the best performing currency last week after centrist Emmanuel Macron won the first voting round of France’s presidential election, reducing risks of more political stress for the Eurozone.

RBI April policy minutes released this week saw all the six members sounding out warning on inflation with one member calling for a preemptive rate hike of 25bps.

Global currency markets will move on the back of the results of the first phase of French Elections and on the back of Trump Tax Reforms to be announced this week.

10 year benchmark bond, the 6.97% 2026 bond should see yields trending up by 18bps to 7% levels this week.

RBI has announced auctions of Tbills under MSS for Rs 1000 billion to suck out liquidity infused by fx purchases.

India’s foreign exchange reserves rose to USD 369.95 billion as of 31st March 2017, marking an increase of USD 10.20 billion since April 2016.

The INR closed at its highest level in over 18 months at Rs 64.40 to the USD last week.

RBI MPC (Monetary Policy Committee) is set to for their first Bi-monthly meeting for fiscal 2017-18 on the 5th and 6th of April.

USD turned higher last week against major world currencies after falling for three consecutive weeks as market participants lost confidence in prospects for a U.S.

Government bond yield curve spreads and credit spreads fell last week as the market bought into higher levels of spreads.

USD, last week, came under strong pressure from long unwinding as it extended previous to last week’s losses against major world currencies.

Indian Rupee appreciated to over 18 months highs against the USD last week and is now on a strong footing after the Fed guided for gradual rate hikes and Modi government got an overwhelming victory in the Uttar Pradesh State Elections.

Key events of state election results and Fed rake hikes have passed and the bond market has only the RBI April policy to look forward to now for yield direction.

The strong US February job numbers have in all probability confirmed a 25bps rate hike by the Fed in its meeting this week.

USD dropped last week, as market participants took profits on their long USD positions ahead of Fed’s FOMC meeting this week.

It’s a day traders market and not one for longer term position taking on direction of 10 year gsec yields. Square off intra day positions or refrain from any positions on the 10 year gsec.

USD last week rose sharply against major world currencies, rising by 1.37% against British Pound, 1.68% against Japanese Yen and 2.48% against New Zealand Dollar.

State Government Borrowings saw concerns raised by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) in their 8th February meeting.

USD rose last week on the back of optimism over the US economy prompting Fed rate hikes and on the back of worries over the outcome of the French election scheduled for April 2017.

Stay liquid, no directional bets and take carry will be bond traders mantra over the next few weeks. Going on holiday would be the best option!!

USD was volatile last week but managed to end the week on the positive side after sharply falling on Thursday.

The surprise change in RBI policy stance from accommodative to neutral has hurt sentiments on the 6.97% 2026 bond, which saw yields rising by 40bps week on week to close at levels of 6.80%.

USD, which had weakened for the last four consecutive weeks, strengthened last week against major world currencies.

We have rebalanced our fixed income growth portfolios based on our outlook on fixed income markets in the coming years.

USD was highly volatile last week and the twists and turns in the USD were largely caused by the struggle between economics and politics.

Bond markets are waiting for Fed meet, Union Budget 2017-18 and RBI policy review all to be held on 1st and 8th of February.

USD came under pressure last week as concerns over President Donald Trump’s protectionist policies dominated market sentiments.

Bond markets are waiting for Fed meet, Union Budget 2017-18 and RBI policy review all to be held on 1st and 8th of February.

USD was volatile last week and ended lower against major world currencies despite the release of upbeat U.S.

Bond markets are waiting for the Union Budget 2017-18 to be presented to parliament on the 1st of February 2017 for direction on bond yields.

USD ended last week lower against major world currencies as U.S. political uncertainty dominated financial markets.

Indian benchmark ten year Government bond yields will trade in a 6.35% to 6.55% range until the budget on the 1st of February 2017.

USD ended last week marginally higher after recovering on Friday from early losses on the back of the fastest pace of wage growth seen since 2008.

USD closed at 14 year highs last week, largely on the expectations that a fiscal expansion planned by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will boost inflation and lead to a faster pace of interest rates hikes in 2017.

The ten year benchmark gsec yield is expected to hover in a range of 6.75% to 7.15% in the most part of 2017.

Government bond yields rose last week as the Fed hiked rates by 25bps in its meet held on the 13th and 14th of December 2016.

USD started the week on a slightly low note but remained supported amid expectations that the Federal Reserve is on track to raise interest rates in its December policy meet.

USD traded higher against major currencies last week and rose to its strongest level against the Japanese Yen in 10 months.

RBI, against all expectations kept rates status quo in its policy meet on the 6th and 7th of December.

U.S. Federal Reserve is scheduled to hold its last policy meeting for the year 2016 on December 13-14 where it is highly expected that it will hike rates by 25bps, the first since December 2015.

50bps rate cut, gsec yields will fall and then rise, 25bps rate cut, gsec yields will rise then fall.

The INR on Thursday fell to its all-time low levels of Rs 68.80 to the USD seen in August 2013 and is currently trading at a level of Rs 68.4725.

The Incremental CRR announcement will add volatility to bond yields. However, yields will fall after rising initially as CRR is a temporary move.

The INR fell to levels last seen in February 2016 on the back of a broad USD strength.

Banks are flooded with deposits post demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes.

The Chinese Yuan fell close to year lows while the Mexican Peso tumbled on worries of the Trump administration reworking terms of trade with the respective countries.

Indian Government Bond yields closed down week on week despite a global sell off in bond markets on the back of a Trump victory.

Indian bond yields rose during the last one month on the back of supply worries and rise in global bond yields, however our fixed income growth portfolios value stayed stable reflecting the good choice of securities.

Friday’s U.S. jobs came in positive, re-enforcing the market’s expectations for a rate hike in December.

Government bond yields rose last week on the back of bond market doubts on downward direction of interest rates.

Barring the unexpected news that the FBI has re-opened its investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails case, the past week has been a great one for the USD with Friday’s stronger-than-expected third-quarter GDP report adding fuel to the market’s optimism on the currency.

The largest ever SDL auction on record is scheduled for the 25th of October 2016 even as RBI and government add liquidity into the system through bond purchases.

USD posted its third consecutive weekly gain against major currencies, largely driven by heightened expectations of a rise in interest rates this year by the Federal Reserve.

USD continued to gain against major world currencies for the second consecutive week on heightened expectation for an early Fed rate hike, which was boosted after a string of strong economic data released last week.

The British Pound (GBP) fell to 31 year lows last week on worries of a hard landing for the UK post Brexit.

Given the domestic and global factors, the yield on the 6.97% 2026 bond is likely to stay ranged with 6.60% levels at the floor and 6.85% at the ceiling. Break out of 6.85% is likely if there is deep global risk aversion while inflation coming in lower than 5% levels for the next few months could see the yield drop below 6.60% levels.

RBI is entering a new era with the first MPC (Monetary Policy Committee) meet scheduled for the 3rd and 4th of October 2016.

RBI’s MPC (Monetary Policy Committee) will meet for the first time in the history of the central bank to decide on policy.

Government bond yields that have trended down by over 75 bps since the Union Budget on 29th February could see pressure at lower levels of yields on the back of Rs 150 billion of weekly auctions for the next two months. Indo-Pak tensions, Deutsche Bank issues and US presidential elections are likely to place pressure on bond yields.

The gsec yield curve has dropped sharply and flattened out over the last six months.

September was a very volatile month for the USD amidst changing expectations over rate hike by the Fed in its upcoming monetary policies.

Economic data released last week suggested that RBI could cut policy rates in its 4th October 2016 policy review.

USD was highly volatile during last week on the changing expectation for a rate hike by the Federal Reserve in its upcoming policy meet scheduled this week.

The late Friday sell off in US and European equities and bonds will cast a shadow on the rally in domestic bonds, which has seen the new ten year bond, the 6.97% 2026 bond yield falling by 14bps since issuance on the 2nd of September.

USD strengthed on Friday on the back of a Fed committee member sounding out the possibility of rate hike as early as this month.

Indian bond yields continue to fall on the back of RBI buying bonds through OMOs.

USD rose to a fresh one-month high against the Japanese Yen despite August job numbers missing estimates with payrolls rising by 151,000 against expectations of 180,000.

Fed chair Janet Yellen, in her Jackson Hold speech said that the case for rate hikes has strengthened in recent months.

Friday turned out to be a great day for the USD as it moved higher against all major currencies following Fed Chair Janet Yellen’s speech at Jackson Hole.

Dr. Urjit Patel is appointed RBI Governor and bond yields will rise in the short term.

USD ended lower for the second consecutive week against most major currencies touching its multi-week lows versus the Euro, British Pound and Japanese Yen.

Bond markets embraced Dr. Rajan’s last policy review as Governor of RBI and compressed all available spreads in the market.

Friday’s unambiguously strong nonfarm payrolls report sent the USD soaring against all of the major currencies as it bolstered expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates as soon as this year.

Dr. Raghuram Rajan, the RBI governor, will address his last monetary policy review on the 9th of August 2016.

The benchmark ten year government bond, the 7.59% 2026 bond is trading at three year low levels of 7.16%.

USD traded lower against most of the major currencies last week, particularly against the Japanese Yen. USD/JPY dropped from JPY 106.30 to below JPY 102 after the Bank of Japan announced a very modest increase in monetary stimulus.

USD had a strong week last week, broadly trading higher against the major currencies.

Government bonds continued the post Brexit rally last week with yields falling by 1bps to 7bps across the curve.

Encouraging U.S. economic data, landslide victory for Japan’s ruling coalition, Britain’s easing political uncertainty and Bank of England surprise move of leaving interest rates unchanged were the main drivers for global currencies last week.

Government bond yields fell sharply last week in anticipation of the government announcing a new RBI governor to replace Dr. Raghuram Rajan, who is not taking up a second term.

U.S. Department of Labour on Friday reported that the economy has added 287,000 jobs in the month of June against the expectations for an addition of 175,000 followed by 11,000 jobs added in May.

The US treasury yield curve has flattened over the last one year even as the gsec yield curve has steepened.

Indian Rupee appreciated by 0.96% against the USD last week as Sensex & Nifty rallied by close to 3% and ten year gsec yield fell 7bps post Brexit.

Bond yields fell sharply last week flattening the 10 over 30 segment of the government bond yield curve.

The Brexit vote pulled down Sensex and Nifty by over 2% each while the INR fell by around 1%. The bond market however, saw yields fall, a reaction that was quite unexpected.

The INR fell by around 1.5% on Brexit before regaining 0.5% to close at four months low levels of Rs 67.96 to the USD.

Indian Rupee (INR) depreciated by 0.48% against the USD last week on Brexit fears. The INR will see more falls this week on the back of Dr. Raghuram Rajan indicating that he will not take up second term as RBI governor.

The government’s delay in confirming the extension of term for the RBI Governor Dr. Raghuram Rajan can lead to heavy costs if not set right soon.

USD started the week on a low note after a poor May jobs data prompted investors to rule out the chance of an interest rate hike by the Fed this week.

The post policy reaction by markets was a steepening of the yield curve on both corporate bonds and government bonds.

USD ended the week on a weak note as currency markets turned sceptical on Fed June interest rate hike.

RBI will not take any major policy steps on the 7th of June and even in August until the government finalizes the RBI governor post given that Dr Rajan’s term ends in August.

RBI has announced an OMO bond purchase auction for Rs 150 billion scheduled for the 31st of May 2016.

USD posted its third consecutive weekly gain last week and is currently trading at seven-week high levels.

RBI has bought Rs 400 billion of bonds through three OMO purchase auctions since the beginning of April 2016 and will now have to step up its purchases if it has to fulfill its stated aim of bringing down liquidity to neutral territory.

USD continued to strengthen last week as markets digested Friday’s U.S. jobs report and disappointing trade data from China.

Government bond yields have been stuck in an extremely narrow range with the ten year benchmark bond, the 7.59% 2026 bond moving in a 5bps range between 7.42% to 7.47% since the beginning of April 2016.

State Development Loans (SDL’s) have been largely viewed as risk free by markets on the back of RBI managing their borrowing and both the central bank and the government providing overdraft facilities to meet financial obligations.

USD strengthend last week despite a disappointing monthly jobs report. USD strengthed after posting its biggest weekly fall in more than seven years against the Yen a week earlier.

OMO (Open Market Operations) bond purchase auction of Rs 150 billion held by the RBI last week helped stabilize bond yields.

Japanese Yen sharply appreciated last week against the USD and Euro after BoJ held back further stimulus, defying market expectations for additional monetary easing.

The government that carried a surplus of Rs 1500 billion into April 2016 has spent its entire surplus and its cash position stands at just around Rs 20 billion as of 22nd April. Government spending its surplus has infused funds into the system improving liquidity conditions.

Japanese Yen last week came under pressure and bounced back from highs after Japan’s Finance Minister Taro Aso said on Tuesday that he would take various measures against excessive currency volatility and added that rapid currency moves are unwelcome.

USD last week was volatile amid weak market sentiments after IMF warning signals.

Bond yields retraced from lows on the last trading day of a truncated week on the back of RBI intervention in the fx markets.

Japanese Yen last week, sharply appreciated against the USD touching its highest levels over the last one and one half years and is currently trading at JPY 108.07.

RBI cut the Repo Rate by 25bps and changed its liquidity stance from keeping the system net deficit to neutral.

Emerging market currencies posted the strongest monthly rally after the Fed adopted a gradual approach to its interest rate increase cycle, which has fuelled the optimism in the market that capital inflows to the emerging markets will be sustained.

RBI will cut the Repo Rate by 25bps this week as it recognizes government’s commitment to lowering fiscal deficit, easing inflation expectations, Fed going slow on rate hikes and global growth concerns.

The spread between the one year OIS (Overnight Index Swap) yield and the one year Bank CD (Certificate of Deposit) yield is extremely attractive and bond markets will look to lower this spread considerably over the next two weeks.

USD last week gained for five consecutive trading sessions, which was the longest in almost a year.

Global central banks effort to depreciate their currencies seems to be failing.

Risk appetite in bond markets that was extremely low prior to 29th February budget 2016-17, has gone up considerably post budget. Bond yields have dropped by 30bps to 40bps in the five to thirty year segment of the government bond yield curve with the curve flattening by around 10bps in the ten over thirty segment of the curve.

Emerging market currencies rose for a second consecutive week after oil prices rebounded above USD 40/bbl and after European Central Bank stimulus, which boosted the demand for riskier assets.

The release of IIP data along with ECB easing policy aggressively further places pressure on RBI to cut the Repo rate sooner than later.

Asian currencies were largely up against the USD last week. Australian Dollar appreciated by 4.39%, New Zealand Dollar appreciated by 2.75%, Japanese Yen appreciated by 0.23% against USD and depreciated by 0.45% against Euro, South Korean Won appreciated by 2.88%, Philippines Peso appreciated by 1.12%,

On 2nd March 2016 bonds worth Rs 373 billion maturing in 2016-17 and 2021-22 were switched by RBI from its own account to longer maturity 2023-24 and 2024-25 bonds with the government.

Indian Rupee (INR) on Thursday closed just 14 paise or 0.2% away from its all-time lows of Rs 68.80 against the USD, which it hit in Aug 2013.

The sharp rise in public debt since 2008-09 has increased focus on debt management strategy of the government as market borrowings in the form of dated government securities and treasury bills constitute around 85% of public debt.

USD ended last week in positive territory with the USD Index (DXY), which tracks the movement of the USD against six major currencies, rising by 0.69% on weekly basis closing at levels of 96.60.

Japanese Yen last week, appreciated by 3.2% against the USD and is currently trading at JPY 113.25, which is below October 2014 levels when the BoJ shocked the markets with a ultra loose monetary policy in order to boost inflation.

USD last week ended lower as markets cut long positions on expectations of the Fed maintaining status quo on rates this year. USD has seen a sustained rally over the last three years and the market has been long USD.

On 4th February government of India repurchased Rs 166.49 billion of bonds.Total bids were Rs 533.53 billion.

Risk aversion was high in the early part of the week as oil prices declined sharply amid ongoing concerns over a global supply glut and slowing global demand.

ECB President Mario Draghi on Thursday said that it would be necessary to “review and reconsider” the bank’s monetary policy stance at its next meeting in the month of March, when new economic projections become available”.

The INR closed at levels last seen in August 2013 and is just around 2% off record lows of Rs 68.80 against the USD, which it touched during that month.

Currencies globally declined sharply after China on Thursday devalued its currency to a five-year low against the USD.

USD ended the last week of 2015 on a higher note. USD Index (DXY), which tracks the movement of the USD against six major currencies, gained by 0.73% on weekly basis and closed at levels of 98.68.

USD ended last week lower as the market continued to digest Fed’s recent rate hike. Mixed US economic data released last week added volatility to the USD, as it painted a mixed picture of the U.S. economy giving no clues as to how fast the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates next year.

Fed raised its benchmark rate by 25bps in its meeting that ended on the 16th of December 2015.

The USD that has seen sustained strength over the last couple of years could come under pressure this week.

INR fell to levels last seen in August 2013 as ECB disappointed markets and US job numbers gave green signal for the Fed to raise rates mid December.

The INR closed last week at levels last seen in September 2013. The INR fell 0.84% to close at levels of Rs 66.73 to the USD and has come under pressure on the back of broad USD strength.

Indian Rupee depreciated by 0.15% against USD but appreciated by 1.12% against Euro last week.

The Friday terrorist attack on the people of Paris will lead to risk aversion globally as investors worry about more such attacks.

USD last week rallied and touched its six month high level after the release of strong U.S. monthly job report, which added to expectations for a December rate hike by the Fed.

USD weakened marginally last week as it consolidated its gains post Fed meet. Fed, in its October FOMC meet, maintained status quo on rates but indicated interest rate hikes in its December meeting.

USD gained last week and touched two month high levels.

USD last week was volatile on rising uncertainty over Fed rate hike this year, in the midst of mixed U.S. economic data. USD Index (DXY), which tracks the movement of the USD against six major currencies, weakened by 0.29% on weekly basis and closed at levels of 94.54.

Brazilian Real appreciated by 4.51% against USD last week posting its strongest weekly rally since 2011.