AUSSIE BONDS: Dec-35 Supply Faces Lower Yield But Steeper Curve

Mar-18 23:26

Bidding at today’s A$800mn of the 4.25% 21 December 2035 bond is likely to be shaped by several key factors: 

  • The current outright yield is around 15bps lower than the previous auction and approximately 25bps lower than the peak in late 2024. The line was opened via syndication on 24 July 2024 for A$11.5bn.
  • The 3/10 yield curve has steepened around 15bps since the last auction and hovers near its steepest level since mid-2022.
  • Demand for duration should be supported by the improvement in sentiment toward longer-dated global bonds, which has strengthened since mid-January despite some deterioration over recent weeks.
  • The line is included in the XM basket.
  • While some factors may limit the overall strength of bidding, there is an expectation of continued firm pricing at today's auction.
  • Results are due at 0000 GMT / 1100AEST.

Historical bullets

AUSSIE 10-YEAR TECHS: (H5) Bounces Off Pullback Lows

Feb-16 23:15
  • RES 3: 96.501 - 76.4% of the Mar 14 - Nov 1 ‘23 bear leg
  • RES 2: 96.207 - 61.8% of the Mar 14 - Nov 1 ‘23 bear leg
  • RES 1: 95.685/851 - High Feb 7 / High Dec 11 
  • PRICE: 95.590 @ 16:14 GMT Feb 14
  • SUP 1: 95.300 - Low Jan 14  
  • SUP 2: 95.275 - Low Nov 14  (cont) and a key support
  • SUP 3: 94.632 - 1.0% 10-dma envelope

Aussie 10-yr futures have drifted further off the Dec 11 high of 95.851. A stronger bearish theme would expose 95.275, the Nov 14 low and a key support. Clearance of this level would strengthen a bearish condition. For bulls, a confirmed reversal and a breach of 95.851, the Dec 11 high, would instead reinstate a bull cycle and refocus attention on resistance at 96.207, a Fibonacci retracement point.  

US TSYS: Tsys Futures Rally Following Weak Retail Sales, 10yr At 4.476%

Feb-16 22:59
  • Tsys futures rallied on Friday, after a large miss in January retail sales (-0.9% M/M vs 0.7% prior, -0.2% consensus) represented the biggest sequential drop in 22 months, with a similarly weak "control group" figure leading to a 0.5pp downgrade to the Atlanta Fed's GDP nowcast (to 2.3% GDP growth in Q1, i.e. no acceleration from Q4). TU closed +03⅛ at 102-24⅜, while TY closed +11 at 109-10.
  • The 10yr is now trading 18bps lower than it's peak on Feb 12th at 4.476% after falling 5.3bps on Friday. While JPM has now recommended taking profits on a long 2yr Treasury position initiated earlier last week week. The trade was based on expectations of Fed rate stability following a strong January CPI, but weaker-than-expected PPI and spending data have pushed 2-year yields lower. With yields now aligned with key moving averages and limited near-term data to shift Fed expectations.
  • Curves closed mixed on Friday the 3-7yr tenors outperformed, with the 2s10s closing -0.5bps at 21.312, while the 5s10s rose 1bp to 14.7041.
  • CFTC data for the week ended Feb. 11 shows asset managers unwinding net-long positions, with significant liquidation in ultra 10-year note futures ($12m/DV01) and reductions in 5-year and 10-year note contracts ($4.1m/DV01 combined). Hedge funds were slightly net bullish, covering $5.2m/DV01 of shorts in ultra 10-year notes and $3.3m/DV01 in SOFR futures, while adding $2.2m/DV01 to net shorts in 10-year note futures.
  • The coming week’s data schedule is relatively light, due in part to Today's Presidents Day holiday (SIFMA recommends bond cash close, equities closed), with initial jobless claims, February prelim PMIs, and regional Fed manufacturing surveys among the highlights. Supply includes 20Y Bond and 30Y TIPS auctions.

AUSSIE 3-YEAR TECHS: (H5) Monitoring Resistance

Feb-16 22:45
  • RES 3: 97.190 - High May 5 2023
  • RES 2: 96.730/932 - High Sep 17 / 76.4% of Mar-Nov ‘23 bear leg 
  • RES 1: 96.310/360 High Feb 7 / High Dec 11  
  • PRICE: 96.190 @ 16:13 GMT Feb 14
  • SUP 1: 95.900 - Low Jan 14  
  • SUP 2: 95.760 - Low 14 Nov ‘24
  • SUP 3: 95.480 - Low Jan 11 2023 and a major support 

A medium-term bear cycle in Aussie 3-yr futures remains intact, with Wednesday weakness confirming short-term gains as corrective. On the upside, an extension higher would signal scope for 96.360, the Dec 11 high. Clearance of this level would open 96.730, the Sep 17 ‘24 high. On the downside, a reversal lower from current levels would signal a resumption of the downtrend. A deeper sell-off would refocus attention on 95.760, the 14 Nov ‘24 low.