Analysts see bond yields hitting 7.5% in near-term; how should you invest?

Over the past one month, the yields on 10-year government bonds have risen 14.7 basis points to 7.218 per cent in India, while they have touched a 17-year high of 4.35 per cent in the US

Bond markets, global as well as domestic, are likely headed towards hard times over the next three to six months, as higher vegetable prices, rising fuel costs, and improved wages may keep inflation hot, believe analysts, who expect the yields to hit 7.5 per cent in the near-term from the current 7.234 per cent.

In this backdrop, they suggest investors can put in money in funds/instruments with residual maturity of 4 to 6 years, while longer-term investors can allocate cautiously to the longer end in the range beyond 7 years.