New Zealand bonds jump at close on higher global safe-haven demand following natural, political disturbances

The New Zealand bonds jumped at the time of closing Tuesday as investors poured into safe-haven assets, over hovering worries over global natural as well as political disturbances, caused by the tropical hurricane Harvey in the United States and North Korea’s ballistic missile launch over Japan early today.

At the time of closing, the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to its price, slipped 1/2 basis point to 2.88 percent, the yield on 7-year note slumped 4 basis points to 2.72 percent while the yield on short-term 2-year ended 1-1/2 basis points lower at 2.04 percent.

Floodwaters from tropical storm Harvey, which has already killed at least seven people in Texas and was expected to drive tens of thousands from their homes, are likely to rise, officials warned on Monday, as heavy rain continued to pound the US Gulf Coast. The floods could destroy as much as USD20 billion in insured property, making the storm one of the costliest in history for US insurers, Wall Street analysts said.

A North Korean missile fired over Japan Tuesday was denounced by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as a "most serious and grave" threat. Abe, who shared a 40-minute phone conversation with US President Donald Trump in response to the launch, said the two leaders had agreed to call for an immediate emergency meeting of the UN Security Council "and increase the pressure towards North Korea". During the call, Trump reiterated that the United States "stands with Japan 100 percent".

Meanwhile, the NZX 50 index closed 1.13 percent lower at 7,738.34, while at 05:00GMT, the FxWirePro's Hourly NZD Strength Index remained highly bearish at -116.57 (a reading above +75 indicates a bullish trend, while that below -75 a bearish trend). For more details, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex

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