Brexit's Safe Haven Is a Dangerous Place
Gilts are on a tear as investors escape U.K. stocks and the pound. But a no-deal Brexit or a Corbyn government would soon change their status.
By Mark Gilbert and Marcus Ashworth (via Bloomberg.com)
British investors have been fleeing their domestic stock market in droves all year, and everyone and their dog lined up to sell sterling on Thursday as the tally of resignations from Theresa May's Brexit-plagued administration mounted. Gilts have become the haven of choice for those unable or unwilling to scrap all their U.K. exposure. But that search for safety could backfire if the political chaos brings down Prime Minister Theresa May.
The real and present danger to her and her draft Brexit agreement increases the risk of Britain crashing out of the European Union without a deal. That wouldn't be good for anybody, including U.K. sovereign bondholders.
Because of all of the political uncertainty, British equities particularly those lacking the buffer of big exports to cushion the blow will no doubt continue to suffer.
Market Laggard
U.K. stocks have performed worse than their peers
Indeed, domestic investors who've bailed out of British stocks this year have dodged a bullet.
Love Don't Live Here Any MoreU.K. investors continue to favor overseas equity markets
While Brexit isn't done yet, it's already having direct economic effects, including making British consumers increasingly nervous. Retail sales fell by 0.5 percent last month, figures published on Thursday show, contradicting economists' expectations for a gain of 0.2 percent. So it's no surprise that the pound is suffering too against the dollar. It was nursing its biggest one-day drop in more than two years at its nadir on Thursday, leaving it looking more like an emerging-market currency.
Read the full article on www.Bloomberg.com
News and Commentary
Gold ticks lower to $1220, though downside remains limited (FXStreet.com)
Global stocks push higher, dollar sapped by rate hike uncertainty (Reuters.com)
Asian markets quiet as U.S.-China trade tensions linger (MarketWatch.com)
Palladium zooms toward parity with gold for first time in 16 years (Reuters.com)
Labour gains three-point lead as May's Brexit plan hits buffers (TheGuardian.com)
Gold advances as risk appetite falls on Brexit concerns (FXStreet.com)
Market Tactics For A Golden Smile (24HGold.com)
Global Silver demand likely to fall for the third consecutive year in 2018 (ScrapRegister.com)
Gold Prices (LBMA AM)
16 Nov: USD 1,215.80, GBP 948.93 & EUR 1,073.07 per ounce15 Nov: USD 1,210.60, GBP 948.26 & EUR 1,072.71 per ounce14 Nov: USD 1,201.45, GBP 927.04 & EUR 1,066.05 per ounce13 Nov: USD 1,197.55, GBP 928.70 & EUR 1,066.18 per ounce12 Nov: USD 1,207.05, GBP 940.05 & EUR 1,072.34 per ounce09 Nov: USD 1,219.05, GBP 936.96 & EUR 1,075.81 per ounce
Silver Prices (LBMA)
16 Nov: USD 14.29, GBP 11.15 & EUR 12.61 per ounce15 Nov: USD 14.13, GBP 11.02 & EUR 12.49 per ounce14 Nov: USD 13.97, GBP 10.80 & EUR 12.39 per ounce13 Nov: USD 14.02, GBP 10.85 & EUR 12.46 per ounce12 Nov: USD 14.16, GBP 11.00 & EUR 12.57 per ounce09 Nov: USD 14.34, GBP 11.01 & EUR 12.63 per ounce