Worst may be over for Indian bonds; RBI done with rate hikes: HDFC Standard

10-year benchmark yield may drop to 7.50 per cent by December

The worst may be over for India's benchmark bond as the nation's inflation rate has probably peaked, HDFC Standard Life Insurance Co. said in a call against market consensus.

The 10-year bond yield may drop to 7.50 per cent by end-2018, a decline of 37 basis points from current levels, said Badrish Kulhalli, head of fixed income at the insurer, which has $15.7 billion under management. Investors will return as confidence grows that the Reserve Bank of India is probably done with further rate increases, he said.

Kulhalli joins a small group of investors betting that a rout in Indian bonds that