Brewster's millions
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 9 Apr 2012
- Messages
- 5,242
If a key financial parameter like the 10 or 30 year gilt yield hits a 27-year high, then it’s going to be reported as such.We'll have to see, but it's the hyperbole of the 1998 comparison that's a nonsense stat.
Clearly the economy isn't in great shape, but compared to the shocks of the last few years, the changes since Labour came into power just aren't comparable. I'm sure you can think of some positive reasons why gilts were at a similar level earlier this year, and why the pound was just as low earlier this year, but do you genuinely think that the spin we're seeing about this being something that is a disaster for the decades, is accurate?
I haven’t seen many reports implying that the fact yields are at the highest level since the 2008 financial crisis - when yields were about to steadily decline for many years - means that we’re now in a financial crisis of a similar magnitude. I think that’s your own interpretation as much as anything.
As always, the significance of the current move depends on its causes and effect. Yields were almost as high last year because of concerns around wage growth and embedded inflation. These concerns eased, and now (to a degree) these concerns have returned while yields have risen in the US because of Trump.
The particular issue with the UK is the fact that this rise in yields has occurred while growth has been unusually weak and the pound has fallen. Not a common occurrence and one which suggests markets are concerned by the fiscal outlook, particularly given that the October Budget appears to have contributed to the slowdown and renewed inflationary concerns.
Which naturally brings us back to Reeves. It’s hardly a sign of competence to expand spending and borrowing very significantly in October, and then be forced into reverse in March because the market is concerned about excessive borrowing. And the risk of this happening was obvious back in October - borrowing costs are now much more sensitive to market sentiment thanks largely to QE - so it just appears to be a case of exceptionally bad judgement, politically and economically.

