UK gilts plunge on expectations of rebound in February manufacturing production; BoE Governor Carney’s speech eyed

The UK gilts plunge on expectations that the country’s manufacturing production will witness a rebound during the month of February. Also, market participants are curiously eyeing the Bank of England (BoE) Governor Mark Carney’s speech scheduled to be held on April 7.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year gilts, which moves inversely to its price, climbed 1 basis point to 1.09 percent, the super-long 30-year bond yields jumped 2 basis points to 1.71 percent while the yield on the short-term 3-year traded 1/2 basis point higher at 0.23 percent by 09:10 GMT.

Earlier this week, the headline seasonally adjusted Markit/CIPS Services PMI Business Activity Index picked up from 53.3 in February to 55.0 in March, and therefore above the 50.0 no-change value for the eighth consecutive month. Moreover, the latest reading signalled a marked increase in business activity and the fastest pace of expansion since December 2016. This signalled a marked rebound from the five-month low seen in February.

"Much of the disappointment in growth so far this year has been evident in consumer-oriented sectors, in part linked to spending and incomes being squeezed by higher prices," said Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist, IHS Markit.

Meanwhile, the FTSE 100 fell 0.58 percent or 41.73 points to 7,289.95 by 09:40 GMT, while at 09:00GMT, the FxWirePro's Hourly Pound Strength Index remained neutral at -46.22 (a reading above +75 indicates a bullish trend, while that below -75 a bearish trend). For more details, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex