Stocks Drop As U.K. Interest Rates Explode Higher

 | Oct 11, 2022 12:50

The biggest story in the market goes back to rates, even though the bond market was closed here in the US. The bond market was open everywhere else in the world, and UK rates were on the move again, with the 2-year gilt rising a jaw-dropping 28 bps to 4.34%, while the 30-year gilt rose by 25 bps to 4.68%. These are massive moves, and considering the BOE is bidding for these bonds is stunning. Because it seems like the BOE’s attempts to stabilize the market isn’t working.

Yesterday the BOE announced it would increase its daily purchases of long-dated gilts up to $10 billion a day from $5 billion. As of yesterday, the bank noted that there had been eight days of operations offering to buy up to GBP40 billion in bonds but had only bought about GBP5 billion. Despite the increased size, the BOE only bought GBP853 million yesterday. It seems like the BOE’s plans aren’t going very well. So you have to wonder how much of this move is now the short taking over and pressing, or how much is a loss of confidence in the BOE’s ability to control things.

It looks now like the UK 2-Year has broken out of a bull flag, which could mean significantly higher rates.