Japanese government bond yields climbed on Wednesday as markets increasingly priced in the possibility of a Bank of Japan interest-rate hike as early as September, while higher oil prices added to inflation concerns, Reuters reported.
The benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond yield rose 4.5 basis points to 2.850%, with yields moving inversely to bond prices. The five-year yield gained 2.5 basis points to a record 2.110%, while the two-year yield, which is particularly sensitive to BOJ policy expectations, climbed 3.5 basis points to 1.645%, its highest level since May 1995.
September rate hike bets strengthen
Traders have increasingly brought forward their expectations for the BOJ's next rate increase to September from December. A September move would come roughly three months after the central bank's June rate increase.
The shift in expectations followed recent Japan-U.S. joint currency intervention aimed at supporting the yen, along with a more hawkish tone in the BOJ's July summary of opinions, according to investors.
Reuters reported that markets were pricing in a 78% probability of a September rate hike as of midday Tuesday, up from 66% on Monday afternoon, based on Tokyo Tanshi data.
The BOJ's summary of opinions, released on Monday, reinforced expectations that policymakers could be moving closer to another increase. Barclays' chief Japan economist Naohiko Baba said the document signalled greater support for a September move.
Longer-dated yields also advance
The rise in yields extended across the longer end of the Japanese government bond curve. The 20-year JGB yield increased 3 basis points to 3.715%, while the 30-year yield gained 4 basis points to 3.990%.
The moves reflect growing expectations that persistent inflation could give the BOJ room to continue normalising monetary policy, particularly if energy costs remain elevated.
Oil prices add to inflation concerns
Crude oil prices also moved higher on Wednesday as renewed uncertainty surrounding the Middle East raised concerns about disruptions to global energy supplies.
Reuters reported that oil prices rose after Iran's top security official indicated that the strategically important Strait of Hormuz would remain closed unless the United States accepted Iran's conditions for ending the conflict. Separate attacks on shipping were also reported by the United States and Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis.
Brent crude futures rose 0.74% to $89.57 a barrel, while U.S. crude futures gained 0.76% to $83.84.
Higher energy prices could add to inflationary pressures in Japan and further complicate the BOJ's policy outlook, particularly as markets assess whether the central bank will move ahead with another rate hike in September.
Focus shifts to US inflation
Investors were also looking ahead to the U.S. Consumer Price Index report due later on Wednesday. The inflation data could influence expectations for the Federal Reserve's interest-rate path and, in turn, global bond and currency markets.
For Japanese markets, a combination of firmer inflation expectations, higher energy prices and a potentially more hawkish BOJ has put further upward pressure on JGB yields. The next key test will be whether incoming economic data and currency developments are strong enough to sustain market expectations for a September policy move.
