[MUMBAI] Investors are positioning for a rally in Indian bonds on bets the central bank will go for more interest-rate cuts this year to power the economy.
The nation’s benchmark 10-year yield may drop to 6.4 per cent by June, according to SBM Bank (India). Trust Mutual Fund predicts a decline to as low as 6.25 per cent by December. The yield was at 6.69 per cent on Friday (Mar 7).
After its first easing in five years last month, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may deliver another 25 basis points cut in April, followed by at least one more reduction this year, according to swaps pricing. That, along with its bond purchases to inject liquidity into the financial system, falling US yields and lower net borrowing by the government will prepare the ground for a decline in yields.
“Even a modest growth in demand from banks, insurance and pension funds would lead to demand outpacing supply in the government bond market,” said Pankaj Pathak, a fund manager at Quantum Asset Management. He sees the 10-year bond yield below 6.5 per cent in the second half of the year.
India’s 10-year bond yields have declined by about 18 basis points from the high of 6.87 per cent in January. Bond traders have been betting on an extended rally in 2025, with last year’s performance the best in four years.
A decline in the benchmark yields will not only lower borrowing costs for the government but also help the corporate sector raise money cheaper to support India’s massive infrastructure push. That becomes crucial as the nation’s annual growth slows to a four-year low at a time when US tariffs and global volatility are making investors look for safer bets.
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The economy is forecast to grow at 6.5 per cent in the fiscal year ending Mar 31. That’s well below the 8 per cent pace required for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fulfil his pledge of becoming a developed nation by 2047. An easing of inflation is making it easier for RBI to cut rates to support growth. Data due this week will show consumer price gains falling below its 4 per cent target in February, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg.
“With the comfort of a more predictable inflation trajectory aligned to the target range, the need to support both consumption and investment-led growth will take centre stage,” said Mandar Pitale, head of treasury at SBM.
The government’s borrowing plan for the next fiscal year provides a favourable backdrop for bonds. While the planned gross sales of 14.8 trillion rupees (S$227 billion) are a bit higher than the current year, net borrowings are marginally lower.
While foreign inflows may slow with India’s addition to JPMorgan Chase’s index getting completed in March, the central bank is expected to continue with its bond purchases. Debt buying this year, including two more operations due this month, amounts to more than two trillion rupees.
Foreign flows “are likely to taper down in FY26 but will be substituted by RBI purchases through open market operations to provide primary liquidity to the system”, said Jalpan Shah, head of fixed income at Trust Mutual Fund. BLOOMBERG
