FT News Briefing EU leaders clash over vaccines, UK debt, Ant Group fees
Mar 26, 2021
European leaders engage in a fierce virtual summit over vaccine distribution, highlighting the struggles of Eastern Europe. Meanwhile, UK government bond investors face their roughest quarter in 20 years as the economy shows signs of recovery. Jack Ma’s Ant Group seeks to boost its valuation by raising processing fees following a failed IPO due to regulatory challenges. The podcast also touches on pandemic comfort foods like doughnuts and mac and cheese, revealing how they helped people cope during challenging times.
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UK Bond Market Performance
- UK bond investors experienced their worst quarter in two decades.
- This is partly due to positive UK vaccine rollout progress, boosting investor confidence in economic recovery.
Bond Prices and Economic Outlook
- Falling UK bond prices indicate a positive economic outlook.
- Investors hold bonds during uncertainty, so declining prices suggest increased confidence in the UK's recovery.
Government Borrowing Costs
- UK government borrowing costs are rising due to the bond market decline.
- This rise is marginal, however, and borrowing costs remain historically low.