London’s top stock exchange, the pound, and UK Government bonds have all rallied on the day the UK Chancellor reversed the majority of his predecessor’s key fiscal policies in one sitting.
Markets were buoyed by Jeremy Hunt’s emergency statement in which he ripped up tax-cutting plans to shed billions off the UK Government’s debt book.
The FTSE 100 jumped up by 1.57 per cent at one point on Monday afternoon and closed firmly in the green, boosted by gains across utilities and housebuilders.
The FTSE 100 closed 61.45 points higher, or 0.9 per cent, at 6,920.24.
The interest on Government bonds – known as gilt yields – declined sharply following the Chancellor’s statement, indicating that investors were soothed by Mr Hunt’s reversal of major debt-funded tax cuts that had been announced in September’s mini-budget.
But long-dated gilt yields still have a way to go before they drop to the levels seen before former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-budget.
Sterling also saw a welcome rebound, jumping more than 2.2 per cent against the US dollar in the afternoon.
It was up 2.2 per cent to 1.145 dollars when markets closed, and 0.9 per cent higher at 1.1601 against the euro.
Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: “A drop in the benchmark 10-year gilt, or government bond, yield will be welcomed with a sigh of relief in Downing Street, the City and the households of the UK, as this could bring some relief to stressed financial markets, pension fund managers and those who are worrying about the mortgage bills.
“The yield on two-year and 30-year government debt is also falling today.
“However, the yield on all three is still above where it was before former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng launched his fiscal event on September 23, so markets will still be looking for some clear, well-costed tax and spending plans, as well as the Office for Budget Responsibility’s independent verdict on October 31st."
The British people rightly want stability, which is why we are addressing the serious challenges we face in worsening economic conditions.
We have taken action to chart a new course for growth that supports and delivers for people across the United Kingdom. https://t.co/P3yglx6efZ— Liz Truss (@trussliz) October 17, 2022
Other top markets in Europe started the week on a positive note and closed firmly in the green. The German Dax was up by 1.7 per cent and the French Cac closed 1.83 per cent higher.
Across the pond, Wall Street stock markets were making sharp gains when European markets closed, boosted by a stronger-than-expected set of financial results from the Bank of America. The S&P jumped 2.6 per cent and Dow Jones was up 1.76 per cent when European markets closed.
In company news, online mattress retailer Eve Sleep said it has called in administrators after a failed sale process.
Its shares were suspended on the London Stock Exchange, and it said that it “is not expected” there will be “any return to the shareholders of Eve” after hiring insolvency specialists.
Meanwhile, online retailer Made.com said it has received a raft of takeover proposals after it put itself up for sale last month.
The company has been hit by a slump in consumer spending and supply chain disruption that has taken a bite out of its costs.
Shares in Made jumped by more than 10 per cent on Monday.
Fashion retail giant Asos saw its shares slump after confirming that it is in talks with lenders over changing the terms of a £350 million (€403 million) borrowing facility, telling shareholders that it was close to reaching an agreement.
Its share price was down 2.5 per cent when markets closed.
