Govt Switches Bonds with RBI in a Cash-neutral deal

The Indian government bought back bonds maturing in 2024 from the Reserve Bank of India, while also issuing bonds maturing in 2032 worth a similar quantum, the central bank said. The transaction involved buying back a security maturing in FY2024/25 from the Reserve Bank and issuing fresh security for equivalent market value, to make the transaction cash neutral. The transaction was carried out using Financial Benchmarks India Pvt Ltd. (FBIL) prices.

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More About The RBI-Govt Cash Neutral Deal:

The government bought back 6.18% bonds maturing in 2024 worth 226.10 billion rupees ($2.78 billion) at a price of 98.62 rupees while it issued 8.28% 2032 bonds worth 210.26 billion rupees to the RBI at 106.05 rupees.

Before this switch, New Delhi had switched bonds worth over 820 billion rupees this financial year, below its target of 1 trillion rupees.

Need of This Transaction:

India is likely to undertake bond switch auctions with the RBI to meet its target for fiscal. Government of India has been undertaking conversion with the objective of smoothening its liability profile as well as for market development. 

What Is Cash Neutral:

The term cash neutral refers to an investment strategy that involves the sale and purchase of securities in an investment portfolio that results in zero net cash. Sales and purchases in a cash-neutral strategy effectively cancel each other out. Keeping portfolios cash neutral means having capital fully deployed in investments at all times.