JGBs jump tracking part inversion of U.S. Treasury yield curve on concerns over global economic downturn

The Japanese government bonds closed higher tracking a partial inversion of the United States’ Treasury yield curve after the 3-month rate overtook the benchmark 10-year peer as investors remained concerned over a global economic downturn in the near-term.

Also, stronger demand for the Japanese yen weighed on the debt yields as investors moved towards safer haven assets.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year JGB note, which moves inversely to its price, plunged nearly 9 basis points to -0.084 percent, the yield on the long-term 30-year suffered nearly 2-1/2 basis points to 0.507 percent and the yield on short-term 2-year slumped 18 basis points to -0.181 percent by 07:00GMT.

According to a report from Reuters, "Stocks across Asia retreated on Monday, tracking global peers, after weaker-than-expected U.S. and European manufacturing data on Friday intensified fears of a global economic slowdown."

Further, Germany’s 10-year counterpart fell below zero percent for the first time since October 2016 on Friday amid fears about a widespread European slowdown, the report added.

Meanwhile, the Nikkei 225 index plunged over 3 percent lower to 20,977.11 at the time of closing, while at 07:00GMT, the FxWirePro's Hourly JPY Strength Index remained neutral at 128.74 (a reading above +75 indicates a bullish trend, while that below -75 a bearish trend). For more details, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex