Bond Index Monthly Report - January 2011 - Returns in the Malaysian bond market were mixed

Returns in the Malaysian bond market were mixed. Some bond classes fared better while others did not. Government Bonds improved when compared to the returns registered in December 2010 but Corporate Bonds returns moved in the opposite direction. Due to the concerns of the market of another rate hike by BNM, the yield for the bond market has been pushed higher. However, the status-quo in the Malaysian Overnight Policy Rate by BNM on 27 January 2011 did help reverse the hawkish market sentiment hence reducing the yields of the Government papers. Although this has an effect of improving the returns for government bonds, the same has yet to be seen for the corporate bond which tends to lag the Government papers.
Bond Index Monthly Report - January 2011; by Bond Pricing Agency Malaysia