Australian bonds jump tracking firmness in U.S. Treasuries ahead of RBA Governor Lowe’s speech

The Australian bonds jumped Tuesday tracking firm developments in the U.S. Treasuries as investors poured into safe-haven assets, following news that Hurricane Harvey is likely to be the most devastating storm to hit the US since Katrina. This will create some additional uncertainty alongside political developments.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to its price, slumped 4 basis points to 2.63 percent, the yield on 15-year note also plunged 4 basis points to 2.93 percent and the yield on short-term 2-year traded 3 basis points lower at 1.84 percent by 02:50 GMT.

The prospect of a government shutdown and even a default is also in focus as lawmakers face a deadline to raise the U.S. debt ceiling by late September or run out of funds.

ANZ-Roy Morgan Australian Consumer Confidence rose 3.9 percent last week, after three straight weekly falls. Sentiment rose across the board, with views towards personal finances showing a particularly solid improvement.

Meanwhile, the S&P/ASX 200 index plunged 1.01 percent to 5,625.50 by 03:00 GMT and the FxWirePro's Hourly AUD Strength Index remained neutral at 38.76 (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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