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UK: Pressures in the UK Gilt Market Continue to Raise Concerns

Pressures have continued to mount in the UK government bond market. To a large extent this reflects concerns over the current incongruence between fiscal and monetary policies in the UK, with the market volatility exacerbated by liability-driven investment (LDI) funds. UK gilts have again come under pressure in less than a month, with another sell-off and yield spike, following the governor of the Bank of England's (BoE) confirmation that the temporary emergency support adopted in September would end on 14th October as planned. The sell-off of gilts took place despite additional interventions by the BoE on 10th and 11th October. We see with some concern how the BoE interventions this week initially failed to contain market pressures.

We highlight the risk that volatility in the gilt market could turn more long lasting. Persistent pressures and dysfunction could pose risks to the UK's financial stability. Financial instability would ultimately have adverse consequences for the financial flexibility of the UK government. We see both the health of the pension fund sector - as one of the main holders of government bonds - and the efficient functioning of the gilt market, as key for the financial flexibility of the UK government.

While we see with concern the ongoing pressures in the gilt market and the liquidity issues in the pension fund sector, we expect the BoE to continue to address potential risks to financial stability, preventing liquidity issues turning into solvency problems at a systemic level. That said, we continue to monitor market and policy developments. We would see with great concern a situation in which the BoE measures fail to prevent contagion from the stresses in pension funds to other financial market participants.

Key Highlights
• The inconsistency between fiscal and monetary policies remains a concern, posing risks for policy credibility.
• If pressures in the gilt market prove persistent, financial stability risks could emerge.
• Financial stability risks could have adverse consequences for the financial flexibility of the UK government. The efficient functioning of the gilt market remains crucial.

“Pressures in the UK gilt market continue to raise concerns,” said Adriana Alvarado, Senior Vice President in the Global Sovereign Ratings Group. “In our view, this continues to reflect the current inconsistency between fiscal and monetary policies. That needs to be addressed.”