Benchmark JGBs steady ahead of Japan long weekend

TOKYO: Benchmark Japanese government bonds were flat on Thursday, as investors adjusted positions ahead of a long holiday weekend.

Fears surrounding escalating tensions in North Korea remained, with investors wary of developments in the region. Japanese markets are closed on Friday for a national holiday.

The 10-year cash JGB yield was flat at 0.055 percent, while the September 10-year JGB futures contract  finished 0.06 point higher at 150.40.

In the superlong zone, the 20-year JGB yield inched up half a basis point to 0.565 percent, while the 30-year JGB yield edged down half a basis point to 0.850 percent.

Underpinning JGBs, the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note fell to a six-week low on Wednesday, as investors sought safe-haven assets such as government debt.

A monthly Reuters poll released on Thursday showed 31 out of 35 analysts forecast the Bank of Japan's next move will be to start unwinding its ultra-easy monetary policy. Four said the BOJ will adopt more easing measures.

But the BOJ's next move, whether it is scaling down or increasing stimulus, likely won't come until late 2018 at the earliest, according to the poll.