Bonds Edge Up on Fed Rate-Cut Bets, Yen Weakens: Markets Wrap

(Bloomberg) — Bonds gained and equities steadied after benign US inflation data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this year, helping calm markets unsettled by concerns over artificial-intelligence disruption.

Government bonds gained in Australia and New Zealand and Treasury futures were steady as traders continued to fully price in a Fed cut in July, as well as a strong likelihood of a move in June. US inflation data lifted Treasuries on Friday, with the 10-year and the policy-sensitive two-year yields dropping five basis points. There will be no cash trading in Treasuries on Monday as the US is closed for Presidents’ Day holiday.

The yen weakened 0.3% against the dollar and Japanese shares fluctuated after the country’s gross domestic product eked out growth in the fourth quarter of 2025, reversing from a deep contraction in the previous period. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index edged down 0.1%, still hovering around its record high levels after gaining 11% this year.

That started a week marked by Lunar New Year holidays, which will affect markets across the region. Mainland China will be closed all week and trading will close early in Hong Kong and Singapore.

The moves indicated modest support for markets after the S&P 500 notched consecutive weekly declines driven by uncertainty over the disruptive impact of AI on businesses. Some of that pressure eased after data on Friday showed the US consumer price index rose 0.2% in January, the smallest gain since July, as traders priced in higher chances the Fed will ease.

“Overall, this won’t change Fed policy, but it will ease the path towards a cut in rates sooner rather than later,” said Neil Birrell at Premier Miton Investors.

Fed Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee said the central bank can cut rates further if inflation is on track to reach its 2% target, but that’s not currently the case.

“Right now we are not on a path back to 2%. We’re kind of stuck at 3%, and that’s not acceptable,” Goolsbee said Friday on Yahoo! Finance.

Yields on 10-year government bonds in Australia fell almost three basis points to 4.72%, while yields of similar maturity in New Zealand edged lower to 4.45%.

Elsewhere, spot gold and silver — assets that have rallied alongside stocks this year — slipped in early trading. The dollar was steady against major currencies, while Bitcoin traded around $68,900 after swinging over the weekend. Oil was little changed.

In Asia, early attention was on Japan, where the economy reversed from a deep contraction, underscoring the case for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s proactive spending policies, following her historic election triumph.

What Bloomberg strategists say…

Monday’s expected meeting between Prime Minister Takaichi and BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda will be a bit spicier after Japan’s GDP deflator climbed, despite quarterly GDP missing forecasts. Japan’s GDP data will add to JGB curve flattening driven by long-end debt outperforming short durations.

— Mark Cranfield, MLIV strategist. For full analysis, click here.

Elsewhere, Chinese President Xi Jinping signaled a desire to “fully leverage the advantages of China’s super-large-scale market,” as he called for anchoring economic growth around domestic demand in a speech released Sunday.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. upgraded its forecast for China’s current-account surplus this year. Meanwhile, a worsening earnings picture is darkening the outlook for Chinese equities.

Earlier on Friday, the Pentagon added Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., BYD Co., Baidu Inc. and TP-Link Technologies Co. to a list of companies that aid the Chinese military – before withdrawing it minutes later without explanation.

In India, the central bank tightened rules for loans taken by firms that undertake proprietary trading in shares and commodities and offer leverage to clients, the latest measure aimed at reducing speculative market activity in the South Asian nation.

Corporate Highlights:

Warner Bros Discovery Inc. is considering reopening sale talks with rival Hollywood studio Paramount Skydance Corp. after receiving its hostile suitor’s most recent amended offer, people with knowledge of the matter said. New Zealand infant formula distributor a2 Milk boosted first-half earnings and raised full-year revenue guidance as sales in China continue to strengthen. Shares rose. A group led by Macquarie Asset Management will buy Qube Holdings Ltd. in a deal worth around A$11.7 billion ($8.3 billion). Australian vintner Treasury Wine Estates Ltd. reported lower-than-expected revenue, citing US supply chain difficulties and adverse consumer trends in China. Some of the main moves in markets:

Stocks

S&P 500 futures rose 0.2% as of 10:07 a.m. Tokyo time Nikkei 225 futures (OSE) were unchanged Japan’s Topix fell 0.5% Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was little changed Euro Stoxx 50 futures were little changed Currencies

The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index was little changed The euro was little changed at $1.1862 The Japanese yen fell 0.3% to 153.10 per dollar The offshore yuan was little changed at 6.9024 per dollar The Australian dollar rose 0.1% to $0.7081 Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin rose 0.2% to $68,928.29 Ether rose 0.9% to $1,974.62 Bonds

Japan’s 10-year yield was unchanged at 2.210% Australia’s 10-year yield declined three basis points to 4.72% Commodities

West Texas Intermediate crude was little changed Spot gold fell 0.4% to $5,021.75 an ounce This story was produced with the assistance of Bloomberg Automation.

–With assistance from Richard Henderson.

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