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UK borrowing costs hit highest level since Brexit vote– Business live UK borrowing costs hit highest level since Brexit vote– Business live
(35 minutes later)
5.21pm BST
17:21
Greek protestors as inspectors arrive
Helena Smith
Over in Greece thousands of leftwing protestors are demonstrating outside the Athens parliament as pressure mounts on the government to revoke unpopular reforms demanded by the country”s creditors. Helena Smith reports from Athens:
Timed to coincide with the arrival this week of international inspectors, the rally is one of scores taking place this evening around Greece by protestors aligned with the communist-run labour group Pame.
In a sign of the disquiet measures have caused, some 436 labour groups have joined the protests seen as the first step in a campaign to send a “fierce response” to a government implementing “barbaric measures” under the guise of progressive policy.
Demonstrators denounced cuts that will reduce Greeks “to further wretchedness” demanding the reinstatement of collective work agreements that the ruling two party coalition has vowed to abolish along with other labour reforms.
Meanwhile technical groups representing the EU and IMF have been poring over files in preparation of the arrival of mission chiefs. The review, projected by credit rating agency Fitch to take months, comes as government officials announced that prime minister Alexis Tsipras will meet the French and German leaders later this week to discuss the review.
5.06pm BST
17:06
European markets end lower
A combination of factors, but all revolving around the uncertainty over Brexit, have seen the UK market start the week on a negative note, falling further than its European peers. Jasper Lawler, market analyst at CMC Markets, said:
Markets have started the week on a softer note with stocks and oil lower, yields streaking higher and havens including gold and the Japanese yen in demand.
Reports of divisions between Chancellor Philip Hammond and the rest of Theresa May’s cabinet over Brexit have caused investors to sell UK assets across the board. UK stocks, bonds and the pound were all lower on Monday.
Over the weekend Mr Hammond was rumoured as preparing to quit over the divisions, though the Treasury has since denied this is the case. In a cabinet with some hot-headed opinions on Brexit, Mr Hammond is viewed by markets as a cooler cucumber. His departure and the resulting political uncertainty would likely see another nose-dive in the pound and exacerbate the rise in gilt yields.
The EY Item Club calling the economic stability in the UK since the Brexit vote “deceptive” and Open Europe suggesting banks could shift operations to Europe in 2017 without passporting rights are doing little to remedy shaken sentiment.
The government bond sell-off has sent UK 10 year Gilt yields to the highest since the EU referendum, putting them on course for one of the biggest monthly rises in 20 years.
US markets have also edged lower although positive results from Bank of America have helped limit the damage. The final scores in Europe showed:
On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is currently down 24 points or 0.13%.
4.23pm BST4.23pm BST
16:2316:23
Here’s our latest report on the perceived tensions in the government over Brexit which have helped weaken the pound, from Peter Walker:Here’s our latest report on the perceived tensions in the government over Brexit which have helped weaken the pound, from Peter Walker:
Theresa May is keen to hear the “differing views” of ministers in the run-up to Brexit negotiations, her spokeswoman has said following cabinet media briefings against the chancellor, Philip Hammond, by pro-leave cabinet colleagues.Theresa May is keen to hear the “differing views” of ministers in the run-up to Brexit negotiations, her spokeswoman has said following cabinet media briefings against the chancellor, Philip Hammond, by pro-leave cabinet colleagues.
In a sign of apparent cabinet tensions over the balance between limiting immigration and keeping open access to the EU, unnamed cabinet sources told two newspapers about anger towards Hammond over his concerns about plans to swiftly restrict immigration from the EU.In a sign of apparent cabinet tensions over the balance between limiting immigration and keeping open access to the EU, unnamed cabinet sources told two newspapers about anger towards Hammond over his concerns about plans to swiftly restrict immigration from the EU.
But the prime minister’s official spokeswoman told reporters: “The prime minister has full confidence in the chancellor and the work that he is doing.”But the prime minister’s official spokeswoman told reporters: “The prime minister has full confidence in the chancellor and the work that he is doing.”
The chancellor is said to have used a meeting last week of May’s cabinet Brexit committee to urge caution about a plan to force EU workers to show they have a guaranteed skilled job before they are allowed into Britain.The chancellor is said to have used a meeting last week of May’s cabinet Brexit committee to urge caution about a plan to force EU workers to show they have a guaranteed skilled job before they are allowed into Britain.
The full story is here:The full story is here:
4.14pm BST4.14pm BST
16:1416:14
It’s not just against the dollar that the pound is weakening. It has slipped 0.24% against the euro to €1.1073, but this is still better than the six year low of €1.094 it reached last Tuesday.It’s not just against the dollar that the pound is weakening. It has slipped 0.24% against the euro to €1.1073, but this is still better than the six year low of €1.094 it reached last Tuesday.
3.40pm BST3.40pm BST
15:4015:40
Oil prices are on the slide on renewed concerns that producer will be able to finalised a proposed deal to limit output when they meet next month in Vienna.Oil prices are on the slide on renewed concerns that producer will be able to finalised a proposed deal to limit output when they meet next month in Vienna.
Iranian oil minister Bijan Zanganeh said on Monday he was optimistic about a deal but when asked if his country’s output was now high enough after its return on sanctions for it to join an agreement, he said: “We should decide in November how much each country should produce.” The amount each country can produce could well prove a new stumbling block.Iranian oil minister Bijan Zanganeh said on Monday he was optimistic about a deal but when asked if his country’s output was now high enough after its return on sanctions for it to join an agreement, he said: “We should decide in November how much each country should produce.” The amount each country can produce could well prove a new stumbling block.
At any rate, Brent crude is down 1% at $51.42 a barrel while West Texas Intermediate, the US benchmark, has fallen 1.1% to $49.79.At any rate, Brent crude is down 1% at $51.42 a barrel while West Texas Intermediate, the US benchmark, has fallen 1.1% to $49.79.
2.48pm BST2.48pm BST
14:4814:48
Wall Street opens lowerWall Street opens lower
US markets have followed the general downward trend, ahead of a spate of important economic data later in the week, notably inflation figures.US markets have followed the general downward trend, ahead of a spate of important economic data later in the week, notably inflation figures.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is currently down 30 points or 0.17%, with markets unmoved by reasonable results from the likes of Bank of America and Hasbro.The Dow Jones Industrial Average is currently down 30 points or 0.17%, with markets unmoved by reasonable results from the likes of Bank of America and Hasbro.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.28pm BSTat 3.28pm BST
2.26pm BST2.26pm BST
14:2614:26
Paul Sirani, chief market analyst at Xtrade, said:Paul Sirani, chief market analyst at Xtrade, said:
Today’s news that industrial production has returned to growth is the latest encouraging piece of data to come out of the US in recent weeks. It is also a very positive result considering the strength of the dollar and China’s weakening trade demands.Today’s news that industrial production has returned to growth is the latest encouraging piece of data to come out of the US in recent weeks. It is also a very positive result considering the strength of the dollar and China’s weakening trade demands.
2.19pm BST2.19pm BST
14:1914:19
More US data, and a recovery in industrial production.More US data, and a recovery in industrial production.
Industrial output rose by 0.1% in September, better than the 0.5% fall seen in August but lower than the 0.3% expected. Manufacturing output rose by 0.2% in September, compared to expectations of no change and a 0.5% drop in August, revised down from the original 0.4% decline.Industrial output rose by 0.1% in September, better than the 0.5% fall seen in August but lower than the 0.3% expected. Manufacturing output rose by 0.2% in September, compared to expectations of no change and a 0.5% drop in August, revised down from the original 0.4% decline.
Manufacturing capacity utilisation edged up from 74.8% to 74.9%.Manufacturing capacity utilisation edged up from 74.8% to 74.9%.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.28pm BSTat 3.28pm BST
1.52pm BST1.52pm BST
13:5213:52
More on Tuesday’s UK inflation figures, and Kathleen Brooks, research director at City Index, reckons the number could be higher than the market believes:More on Tuesday’s UK inflation figures, and Kathleen Brooks, research director at City Index, reckons the number could be higher than the market believes:
The market is expecting prices to rise by an annual 0.9% rate last month, up from 0.6% in August. Core prices, which exclude energy and food prices, are also expected to pick up to 1.4% from 1.3%.The market is expecting prices to rise by an annual 0.9% rate last month, up from 0.6% in August. Core prices, which exclude energy and food prices, are also expected to pick up to 1.4% from 1.3%.
We believe that the risks are to the upside for September’s price data, as the impact of a weak pound continues to weigh on price pressure....We believe that the risks are to the upside for September’s price data, as the impact of a weak pound continues to weigh on price pressure....
We think.. annual CPI could breach the 1% mark for September, while the market expects a reading of 0.9%. A strong inflation reading could be another reason to sell the pound tomorrow, which, ironically, could lead to even higher inflation in the coming months. If prices rise as we expect, then the Monetary Policy Committee’s 2% inflation target to be breached at some point in the first quarter of 2017.We think.. annual CPI could breach the 1% mark for September, while the market expects a reading of 0.9%. A strong inflation reading could be another reason to sell the pound tomorrow, which, ironically, could lead to even higher inflation in the coming months. If prices rise as we expect, then the Monetary Policy Committee’s 2% inflation target to be breached at some point in the first quarter of 2017.
If, against the odds, CPI does not rise by as much as expected, then we would expect the pound to rally as it could brighten the UK economic outlook and put less pressure on future consumption. However, we view this outcome as unlikely at this stage.If, against the odds, CPI does not rise by as much as expected, then we would expect the pound to rally as it could brighten the UK economic outlook and put less pressure on future consumption. However, we view this outcome as unlikely at this stage.
1.41pm BST1.41pm BST
13:4113:41
The Empire report says:The Empire report says:
Business activity continued to decline in New York State, according to firms responding to the October 2016 Empire State Manufacturing Survey. The headline general business conditions index slipped five points to -6.8. The new orders index edged up but remained negative at -5.6, indicating an ongoing drop in orders, and the shipments index increased to -0.6, suggesting that shipments were essentially flat.Business activity continued to decline in New York State, according to firms responding to the October 2016 Empire State Manufacturing Survey. The headline general business conditions index slipped five points to -6.8. The new orders index edged up but remained negative at -5.6, indicating an ongoing drop in orders, and the shipments index increased to -0.6, suggesting that shipments were essentially flat.
Labor market conditions remained weak, with both employment levels and the average workweek reported as lower. Price indexes increased somewhat, and continued to signal moderate input price increases and a slight increase in selling prices.Labor market conditions remained weak, with both employment levels and the average workweek reported as lower. Price indexes increased somewhat, and continued to signal moderate input price increases and a slight increase in selling prices.
But the outlook is more optimistic:But the outlook is more optimistic:
Indexes for the six-month outlook suggested that manufacturing firms expect conditions to improve in the months ahead.Indexes for the six-month outlook suggested that manufacturing firms expect conditions to improve in the months ahead.
1.35pm BST1.35pm BST
13:3513:35
Weak manufacturing data from USWeak manufacturing data from US
The latest snapshot of US manufacturing - in this case in New York state - has shown a shock plunge rather than the expected revival.The latest snapshot of US manufacturing - in this case in New York state - has shown a shock plunge rather than the expected revival.
The New York Empire manufacturing index came in at -6.8 in October compared to -2.0 in September and forecasts of a rebound to 1.1. This is the lowest level since May.The New York Empire manufacturing index came in at -6.8 in October compared to -2.0 in September and forecasts of a rebound to 1.1. This is the lowest level since May.
Empire State Manufacturing Index prints -6.8 vs +1.1 expected and -2.0 in September ^FR #FXEmpire State Manufacturing Index prints -6.8 vs +1.1 expected and -2.0 in September ^FR #FX
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.37pm BSTat 1.37pm BST
1.25pm BST
13:25
Another reason for the slide in bond prices, and subsequent rise in yields, is recent comments from central bankers on their willingness to tolerate an increase in inflation.
On Friday Bank of England governor Mark Carney said he was willing to let inflation run a bit higher than the Bank’s 2% target to help boost the economy and employment.
Janet Yellen, chair of the US Federal Reserve, said something similar a little later, saying there were plausible ways to let higher inflation lift the economy.
Higher inflation erodes the fixed payments on bonds, adding to the downbeat mood. So UK inflation figures on Tuesday will be widely watched, with consumer prices expected to rise by an annual 0.9% in September, up from 0.6% in August.
12.23pm BST
12:23
It’s a thin day for data but there are some US figures out later. Ahead of that, the futures are suggesting an opening fall on Wall Street. Connor Campbell, financial analyst at Spreadex, said:
Looking to the US open and the Dow Jones seems fairly uninterested this Monday, with the futures suggesting a 40 point fall after the bell. There is a string of B-tier data for the US index to deal with this afternoon; the Empire State manufacturing index is set to bounce back to 1.1 from -2.0, while the capacity utilization rate is expected to edge up 0.1% to 75.6% and the industrial production reading is forecast to climb back to 0.3% from -0.4% last month.
12.19pm BST
12:19
Sterling hits low for the day
The pound continues to hover below $1.22 against the dollar, and is currently down 0.3% at $1.2144, a new low for the day as US traders begin to start work.
That is nowhere near the levels hit during the flash crash earlier this month, of course, when it fell as low as $1.1491, according to data from Thomson Reuters.
Reuters has just issued a report saying that sterling traded more than three times its daily average against the dollar in the 24 hours following the flash crash, showing the volatility and nervousness around the currency at the moment.
Updated
at 12.20pm BST
12.04pm BST
12:04
Newsflash from Downing Street: Theresa May’s spokeswoman has insisted the prime minister has ‘full confidence’ in Philip Hammond, following reports of a split with other cabinet members over Brexit.
The PM also respects the Bank of England’s independence -- which is reassuring, until you realise that this ought to go without saying....
Number 10: PM "has full confidence" in Chancellor, "respects the independence of the @bankofengland" and is "clear in her support" of Carney
(reminder, May criticised the BoE’s stimulus programme during her party conference two weeks ago, prompting governor Mark Carney to hit back on Friday).
UK prime minister May says she has full confidence in finance minister Hammond, respects BoE independence.The very fact that needs said...
Andy Sparrow’s Politics Live blog has more details from today’s briefing to Lobby journalists:
11.20am BST
11:20
Analysts: Hammond dispute hits UK assets
The disputes between Philip Hammond and the Brexiteers in the cabinet are hitting shares, the pound and government debt today, according to one analyst.
Jasper Lawler of CMC Markets says rumours (now denied) that the chancellor might quit are alarming investors.
Over the weekend Mr Hammond was rumoured as preparing to quit over the divisions, though the Treasury has since denied this is the case. In a cabinet with some hot-headed opinions on Brexit, Mr Hammond is viewed by markets as a cooler cucumber. His departure and the resulting political uncertainty would likely see another nose-dive in the pound and exacerbate the rise in gilt yields.
Mr Hammond is thought to prefer a plan in which migration curbs are delayed and Britain would pay into the EU budget for single market access. It’s a stance that would be welcomed by markets but he has been described as “arguing like an accountant” and “only seeing the risks” by fellow MPs.
So that’s why 10-year UK gilt prices have hit their lowest level since the referendum (see earlier post), sending yields up.
And housebuilders are also falling in value today, Lawler adds, matching the rise in gilt yields.
Barratt Developments is one of the biggest decliners on the FTSE 100. Higher interest rates lead to higher mortgages, which is typically not good for the housing market since it makes borrowing to buy a house more expensive.
So, the FTSE 100 is now down by 55 points, or 0.8%, at 6957 points, with almost every share falling.
The pound still near a 31-year low against the US dollar, at $1.2167.
And 10-year gilt yields (a measure of UK borrowing costs) are hovering around 1.17%, from 1.1% on Friday.
Gilt yields continuing to rise, though from a very low base. https://t.co/QPYe3CWjwM
Updated
at 11.29am BST
10.49am BST
10:49
The FT published a good piece yesterday, pointing out how car parts whizz around the EU on their journey from raw materials to finished product.
In some cases, they could cross the Channel five times -- creating a serious headache for auto makers if Britain left the single market.
The piece is here. Here’s a flavour:
Bumpers for some Bentley Bentaygas, for example, are made in Europe but then sent to Crewe for inspection before then going to Germany for specialist painting. After that, they return to the UK for final assembly.
Another example of the interconnectedness of the supply chain is a fuel injector for diesel lorries manufactured by the US component maker Delphi.
This part uses steel from Europe which is machined in the UK before going to Germany for special heat treatment. The injector is then assembled at Delphi’s UK plant in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, before being sold on to truckmakers based in Sweden, France or Germany.
If the resulting truck is sold into the UK market, the component or materials used in it will have crossed the Channel five times before the lorry is ever driven by the customer. If tariffs are applied at each stage, the cost could be substantial.
Great FT research shows how often car parts cross the Channel, amidst fears that the Single Market was working https://t.co/7UqC27RnHo pic.twitter.com/mj9YtolNRo
10.49am BST
10:49
Britain isn’t alone. Germany’s borrowing costs have also hit their highest level since the EU referendum:
Germany's bund yields jump to their highest since @Brexit vote https://t.co/VvTbdJppcR pic.twitter.com/WYTOOABD0P
10.36am BST
10:36
A tiny gobbet of economic data – inflation in the euro area rose by 0.4% in September, up from 0.2% in August.
That’s the highest in nearly two years.
Higher prices at restaurants & cafés pushed living costs up, along with more expensive rent, food and tobacco. Energy prices still pulled inflation down, but by less than earlier this year.
#Euro area annual inflation confirmed at 0.4% in September 2016 (August 0.3%) https://t.co/mPiQ1yyVXS /via @EU_Eurostat pic.twitter.com/5tfKX2nZxS
Updated
at 10.54am BST
10.22am BST
10:22
The slump in the pound since June’s Brexit vote isn’t a bad thing, according to Ben Broadbent, deputy governor of the Bank of England.
He told BBC Radio 5 this morning that sterling has helped to cushion the shock of the referendum result.
According to Broadbent:
“Having a flexible currency is an extremely important thing, especially in an environment when your economy faces shocks that are different from your trading partners.”
“In the shape of the referendum, we’ve had exactly one of those shocks. Allowing the currency to react to that I think is a very important shock absorber.
Hurrah for floating exchange rates, eh?
However... analysts at Deutsche Bank aren’t convinced that the weak pound will give UK factories a major boost.
They argue that modern trade is simply too complicated....
International economics has evolved since the Victorian era, and world trade no longer consists of final consumption goods being bartered for raw materials. The rise of global value chains has come with huge growth in the trade of intermediate and capital goods. Any economy’s manufacturing exports today contain a significant chunk of value that is added abroad.
We find that the low domestic value added in UK manufacturing means sterling depreciation will hurt exporters as well as help them
Deutsche Bank: The slump in sterling will not help the UK economy because we no longer live in the Victorian era. pic.twitter.com/VjK7vDmQJu
Updated
at 10.53am BST
9.45am BST
09:45
UK borrowing costs hit highest since June
This morning’s selloff in UK government debt is gathering pace, as the City ponders the tensions in the
Ten-year gilts (bonds that mature in a decade’s time) are dropping in value, to levels not seen since the aftermath of the Brexit vote.
This chart shows how the price of gilts has dropped back in recent weeks, and is now the lowest since late June.
Happy selloff Monday for the UK Gilt market pic.twitter.com/t0IrTkSexJ
As prices fall, borrowing costs rise. And the interest rate (yield) on 10-year gilts has now jumped to 1.2%, from 1.1% on Friday night.
That indicates that it will cost the government more to issue new debt to cover the gap between tax revenues and spending.
And the pound is still under some pressure, bobbing around $1.217.
Traders said the selloff in gilts was hurting sentiment towards the currency, Reuters reports.
Another day, another big sell-off in gilts it seems - 10-year yields up 12 bps at 1.22 pct pic.twitter.com/otkGu4oR9E
Updated
at 9.49am BST