Here’s what to expect for the 10-year Singapore government bond (SGS) auction on 27 August

What happened?

There will be a 10-year Singapore government bond auction (NZ16100X) coming up on 27 August.

Recently, we saw more volatility in Singapore T-bill and government bond yields.

The yield of the 6-month Singapore T-bill dipped to 1.56% in the most recent auction on 13 August, after reaching a near term high of 1.59%.

Last month, we also saw the 2-year SGS bond offer a cut-off yield of 1.84%. 

This comes even as the 30-year US government bond yield has reached its highest level since 2007 of 5.3%.

With more attention on bond yields in the Beansprout community, I will explore the likely yield on the reopened 10 year Singapore government bond auction, explain how a reopened auction works, and compare it with T-bills, fixed deposits and Singapore Savings Bonds in this article.

What are the details of the 10-year SGS bond auction?

The reopened 10-year SGS bond (NZ16100X) will be issued on 1 September 2026, and will mature on 1 August 2036.

The bond is categorised under the 10-year SGS auction schedule, but its actual remaining maturity from 1 September 2026 is about 9 years and 11 months.

This distinction is important when considering how long the funds will be committed.

The bond offers a coupon rate of 2.25% p.a., and the coupon will be paid every six months, on 1 February and 1 August.

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What is a reopened SGS bond auction?

The latest auction is a reopened auction, where MAS issues more of an existing bond. This increases the total amount of that bond in circulation.

A reopened bond has the same issue code, coupon rate, coupon payment dates and maturity date as the existing bond.

The upcoming auction is the 8th issuance of NZ16100X.

NZ16100X was first issued on 1 August 2016 as a bond with an initial maturity of 20 years.

At its original auction, the bond was issued with a coupon rate of 2.25% per year and a maturity date of 1 August 2036. The cut-off yield was 2.25%, with a cut-off price of S$100 for every S$100 in face value.

It was most recently reopened in October 2025, when the cut-off yield was at 1.99% and the cut-off price was at S$103.078.

Why does the bond offer a closing yield of around 2.36% if it pays a 2.25% coupon?

The coupon rate is not necessarily the return an investor will earn.

The coupon determines the interest payment based on the face value of the bond.

For example, an investor allotted S$1,000 in principal would receive:

• S$22.50 in coupon payments each year
• S$11.25 every six months
• S$1,000 in principal when the bond matures

However, the final price paid for the bond will be decided at the auction.

Although the bond pays interest at a rate of 2.25% a year, investors may have to pay less than S$100 to receive S$100 back when the bond matures.

For example, NZ16100X closed at S$99.03 for every S$100 that will be repaid on 1 August 2036, before including any interest that had already built up.

An investor buying at this price would receive the 2.25% coupon payments, as well as S$100 at maturity despite paying S$99.03.

This difference increases the investor’s actual return.

After taking into account the interest received, the purchase price and the amount repaid at maturity, the return would be closer to 2.36% a year, rather than the stated interest rate of 2.25%.

We can see the same relationship in another bond’s earlier auctions as well.

When N524100X was first issued in March 2024, the cut-off yield was 3.06% a year. Investors paid slightly less than S$100, at S$99.724 for every S$100 that would eventually be repaid.

When the bond was offered again in May 2025, the cut-off yield  had fallen to 2.05%. Its price had risen to S$103.989 for every S$100 that would be repaid.

I would therefore focus on the auction yield rather than the coupon rate when comparing the bond with other options.

What is the likely yield on the reopened 10-year SGS bond?

The closing yield on the SGS bond being reopened, NZ16100X, was 2.36% on 21 August 2026.

In the previous 10-year SGS bond auction on 28 April 2026, the cut-off yield was 2.09%. This was below the benchmark 10-year yield of 2.29% on the day before the auction.

This reflected higher demand for the 10-year SGS bond. If demand remains strong, we may again see the cut-off yield come in below the prevailing market yield.

Buying the 10-year SGS bond: Better than Singapore Savings Bonds?

The latest Singapore Savings Bond offers:

• A first-year return of 1.52%
• An average return of 2.25% per year over 10 years

Based on these rates, the reopened 10-year SGS bond may offer a slightly higher return based on its current closing yield of around 2.36%.

However, the Singapore Savings Bond provides more flexibility.

SSBs can be redeemed in any month, with investors receiving their principal amount and accrued interest.

In comparison, the SGS bond does not provide monthly redemption at face value.

An investor who wants to exit before August 2036 would have to sell the SGS bond in the secondary market. The price received may be higher or lower than the amount paid.

Therefore, the SGS bond may offer a higher yield, while the SSB may be more relevant for cash that could be needed earlier.

Apart from offering a 1-year return of 1.52%, the latest SSB also allows us to lock-in a rate of 2.25% over 10 years, while having the flexibility to redeem prior to maturity. 

Buying the 10-year SGS bond: Better than T-bills and fixed deposits?

The latest 6-month T-bill offered a cut-off yield of 1.56%, while the latest 1-year T-bill offered 1.68%.

Currently, the best 6-month fixed deposit rate we found is at 2.00% p.a. 

Hence, the 10-year SGS bond may offer a higher yield for investors who are comfortable with the longer commitment.

What are the risks of the 10-year SGS bond?

#1 – Potential losses if sold before maturity

The main risk is that investors may incur a loss if they sell the SGS bond before it matures on 1 August 2036.

The market price of an SGS bond moves as interest rates change. If market yields rise after the auction, the price of the bond may fall.

In this case, an investor who needs to sell the bond before maturity may receive a price that is lower than the price paid at the auction.

For example, if an investor pays S$99.03 for every S$100 in principal and later sells the bond below that purchase price, the investor may suffer a capital loss.

#2 – Liquidity risk

There may also be limited liquidity in the secondary market if an investor decides to sell the bond before maturity.

If there are few interested buyers, investors may not be able to sell the bond immediately or at their desired price.

This could increase the risk of receiving less than the purchase price, especially if the funds are needed urgently.

Investors who want to reduce the risk of a capital loss should therefore be prepared to hold the SGS bond until it matures in August 2036.

What would Beansprout do?

The reopened 10-year SGS bond (NZ16100X) currently has a closing yield of around 2.36%.

The 10-year SGS bond may offer a higher yield compared to the 6-month T-bill and fixed deposit. However, it also requires a longer commitment period, and I would be mindful about potential losses if I decide to sell the bond before maturity. 

This makes the 10-year SGS bond less likely to be something I'd consider for my Liquidity Pot within Beansprout's four pots of wealth.

Find out what yield to expect from the upcoming 6-month T-bill auction on 27 August 2026 here.

The current closing yield of 2.36% is slightly above the current issuance of the Singapore Savings Bonds (SSB) which offers a 10-year average return of 2.25%.

However, SSBs offer higher flexibility compared to the 10-year SGS bond, as they can be redeemed prior to maturity. We also expect the next issuance of the Singapore Savings Bonds (SSB) to offer a higher 10-year average yield compared to the current issuance.

It is also worth noting that the eventual cut-off yield of the 10-year SGS bond will depend on market movements and the bids submitted at the auction.

How do I apply for the 10-year SGS bond?

The 10-year Singapore Government Securities (SGS) bond auction is currently open.

The auction will take place on 27 August 2026.

As cash applications for the 10-year Singapore Government Securities (SGS) bond close one business day before the auction date, we would need to put in our cash applications by 9pm on 26 August.

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If you prefer a shorter investment period and are comfortable holding your investment until maturity, you may consider Singapore T-bills. Read our guide to SGS bonds and T-bills to learn how they work and how to apply.

If you value the flexibility to redeem your investment in any month without being exposed to market price movements, you may consider Singapore Savings Bonds instead. Read our SSB guide to know more. 

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