Bond yields tread water ahead of Budget

The yields on 10-year 8.79% - 2021 bonds were trading steady at its previous close of 7.80% on Friday 

Bond yields were treading water as investors preferred staying on the sidelines ahead of the budget on Feb 28. However, traders will also watch the railway budget on Feb 26 for cues on how serious the government is about mending its finances.

On the global front, US Treasuries prices edged higher on Friday in the absence of key US economic data, as investors prepared for testimony next week from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, which will be scoured for clues of when the central bank may slow or stop buying bonds. Meanwhile, Brent crude was off 7 cents at $114.03, also ending last week with its biggest loss since early December.

Back home, the yields on 10-year 8.79% - 2021 bonds were trading steady at its previous close of 7.80% on Friday.

The benchmark five-year interest rate swaps were trading flat at its previous close of 7.22% on Friday.

Call rates inch up at start of new reserves reporting week

Interbank call rates were trading higher at 7.85/90% from its previous close of 7.75/80% since demand edged higher at the start of a new reserves reporting week. The call rates ended at 7.80/85% on Saturday.

The banks via Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) borrowed Rs 74,140 crore through repo window on February 22, 2013, while banks using special LAF facility borrowed Rs 74,220 crore through repo window and parked Rs 365 crore via reverse repo window on February 22, 2013.

The overnight borrowing rates touched a high and low of 7.95% and 7.85% respectively.

According to the Clearing Corporation of India (CCIL), the weighted average rate (WAR) in the call money market was 7.87% on Monday and total volume stood at Rs 24,470.27 crore, so far.

As per CCIL data, WAR in the CBLO (Collateralized Borrowing and Lending Obligation) market was 7.75% on Monday and total volume stood at Rs 24,185.75 crore, so far.

The indicative call rates which closed at 7.80/85% on Saturday were contributions made from Andhra Bank, AXIS Bank, Bank of America, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Canara Bank, J P Morgan Chase, Citibank N.A., Corporation Bank, Credit Agricole Bank, Indusind Bank, ICICI Bank, ICICI Securities, IDBI Bank, Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Punjab National Bank, RBS, Societe Generale, Standard Chartered, so far.