Singapore Government Bond Yield Curve

FAQ

• What can the shape of the yield curve reveal about the likely future path of interest rates?

  
  The market interprets the likely path of interest rates and borrowing costs through four principal yield curve configurations:
  

  • A normal slope indicates expectations of gradually rising or stable rates, as the current monetary-policy stance is viewed as appropriate and long-term rates naturally exceed short-term rates. Further increases would be expected only if economic growth accelerated above its potential rate.
  • An inversion points to an expected rate-cutting cycle: market participants assume that currently elevated rates are restrictive, will cool the economy, and will ultimately force the central bank to ease policy in the near term.
  • A flat slope reflects either expectations that rates will remain high for an extended period or uncertainty about the central bank’s next move. As the market sees no compelling case for either a sharp rise or a rapid decline in rates, the gap between short- and long-term expectations becomes minimal.
  • A humped curve implies a volatile path: rates are first expected to rise or remain near peak levels over the medium term, followed by a material decline at the long end as economic conditions normalise.

• Which tenor combinations on the curve are most informative for analysing macroeconomic expectations?

  
  Macroeconomic analysis should distinguish between forecasting objectives. For inflation forecasting, maturities should closely match the relevant forecast horizons; for example, the 5Y–1Y spread can be used to assess the difference between inflation expected over the next five years and inflation expected over the next year. For forecasting real economic activity, empirical evidence generally favours the spread between the longest and shortest available tenors on the yield curve; in practice, the difference between 10-year and 2-year yields is often used.

• What are the specific considerations when analysing the short and long ends of the yield curve?

  
  The curve spans 6 months to 50 years and includes 9 points in total.
  - The short-end segment (6 months–1 year) is influenced by banking-system liquidity and monetary policy.
  - The mid-curve segment (2–7 years) reflects expectations for the economic cycle and inflation over the medium term.
  - The long-end segment (7–50 years) is shaped by fundamental factors such as long-term inflation expectations and the risk premium. Yields beyond 10 years reflect investors’ expectations regarding the macroeconomic stability of the country.

• When are the new Singapore yield curve values published?

  
  Curve values are published daily after the close of the trading session. For example, data for the 6 May 2026 session are published after the session has ended.