JGBs slip, post third consecutive monthly fall

• The contract was down 0.51 point in November, after two straight months of decline.
• The key 10-year cash JGB yield rose 1.5 basis points to minus 0.080pc, its highest level in two weeks.
• The two-year yield was flat at minus 0.180pc and the five-year yield rose 0.5 basis point to minus 0.185pc.

TOKYO: Japanese government bonds ended weaker on Friday for their third consecutive monthly fall, as hopes of an eventual US-China trade deal undermined their safe-haven appeal, despite worries that Hong Kong could become a flashpoint between the two countries.

Benchmark 10-year JGB futures fell 0.13 point to 153.16, with a trading volume of 30,112 lots, amid lingering worries US legislation backing Hong Kong protesters could derail a prospective US-China trade deal.

For the month, the contract was down 0.51 point in November, after two straight months of decline.

The key 10-year cash JGB yield rose 1.5 basis points to minus 0.080pc, its highest level in two weeks.

At the longer end of the market, the 20-year yield was flat at 0.250pc, while the 30-year yield added half a basis point to 0.405pc and the 40-year yield rose 1 basis point to 0.445pc.

Elsewhere, the two-year yield was flat at minus 0.180pc and the five-year yield rose 0.5 basis point to minus 0.185pc.