UK long-term gilts jump despite higher-than-expected Q4 GDP; BoE Governor Carney’s speech in focus

The UK long-term gilts jumped Friday as investors have largely shrugged-off the country’s higher-than-expected fourth-quarter gross domestic product (GDP). Markets now focus on Bank of England (BoE) Governor Mark Carney’s speech, due later today for further direction in the debt market.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year gilts, fell 1 basis point to 1.40 percent, the super-long 30-year bond yields also slipped 1 basis point to 1.87 percent while the yield on the short-term 2-year traded tad higher at 0.60 percent by 09:35GMT.

The GBP/USD clawed its way back during the European market session supported by the UK fourth-quarter GDP that rose 0.4 percent over the quarter while increasing 1.7 percent over the year, beating the market expectations of deceleration towards 1.4 percent y/y. The UK Q4 GDP showed the economy growing 0.4 percent over the previous quarter while increasing 1.7 percent compared with the final quarter of last year.

Meanwhile, the FTSE 100 traded 0.32 percent higher at 7,641.25 by 09:45GMT, while at 09:00GMT, the FxWirePro's Hourly Pound Strength Index remained neutral at 28.84 (a reading above +75 indicates a bullish trend, while that below -75 a bearish trend). For more details, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex

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