Gilt Yields and Ghosts of Budgets Past: Who's Afraid of Bond Vigilantes?
Nov 6, 2024
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Gilt yields have surged following the Autumn budget, raising concerns about the legacy of Liz Truss’s mini-budget. The podcast dives into how government spending affects the private sector, questioning whether it crowds out or crowds in investment. It dissects market reactions to fiscal policies and the role of bond vigilantes in shaping financial stability. Discussions also reveal the challenges posed by high inflation and the call for more realistic budgeting to foster long-term growth amid uncertainty.
The rise in gilt yields post-autumn budget reflects investor concerns over increased borrowing and potential instability in the UK debt market.
The debate on public investment's impact on the private sector centers on whether it crowds out or crowds in economic activity, affecting future growth prospects.
Deep dives
Impacts of the Autumn Budget
The recent autumn budget introduced significant increases in government spending alongside substantial tax rises and higher borrowing projections. Although market reactions seemed initially stable during the announcement, subsequent days saw an increase in gilt yields, raising concerns among investors. The speakers discussed the emergence of a notion termed 'bond vigilantes,' referring to investors who sell bonds in response to fiscal policies they perceive as detrimental. However, it was suggested that these market reactions stem from rational investor behavior rather than a coordinated effort, and blaming the investors mischaracterizes their role in the financial system.
Consequences of Liz Truss's Mini-Budget
The mini-budget introduced by Liz Truss is presented as a critical example of how financial policies can destabilize markets, particularly through the concept of liability-driven investment (LDI) strategies employed by pension funds. It resulted in a rise in gilt yields which prompted interventions from the Bank of England to stabilize the situation. The discussion highlighted that the market's reaction to Truss’s budget was exacerbated by poorly communicated and unfunded tax cuts during a period of high inflation. These events underlined the fears among current policymakers about igniting similar market turmoil in future budgets.
Comparative Analysis of Budget Reactions
When comparing the current budget's market response to that of previous budgets, the speakers noted that the yield increase this time was much less severe than after Truss's mini-budget. While the 10-year gilt yields increased modestly following the recent budget, they did not reach the drastic levels seen earlier. The context of higher global interest rates was also acknowledged, suggesting that the rise in yields may not solely be a UK-specific issue. Overall, the current observation seems to indicate that while there are increases in borrowing costs, they could be a function of broader economic conditions rather than outright panic over UK fiscal policy.
The Debate on Public Investment: Crowding In vs. Crowding Out
A central question emerging from the budget discussions was whether increased public investment leads to 'crowding out' of private sector activity or 'crowding in,' stimulating further economic growth. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) tends to support the crowding out perspective, arguing that government spending competes with private investment due to limited resources in the economy. Conversely, views from the government, emphasizing crowding in, suggest that government spending can enhance economic capacity and spill over into private sector growth. Ultimately, the speakers pointed out the key difficulty resides in accurately measuring the output gap and the real potential for growth within the economy.
Gilt yields rose after the Autumn budget as markets absorbed sharp rises in investment, taxes and borrowing. Does Liz Truss’s mini-budget still haunt UK debt markets? And is there a risk that investors will shun UK debt?
In today’s Dumb Question of the Week: Does public investment ‘crowd out’ or ‘crowd in’ private sector activity?
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Thank you to Raisin UK for sponsoring this episode.
Raisin UK is a free, easy-to-use online savings platform, with savings accounts from over 40 FSCS-protected banks and building societies. Simply register, apply to open as many accounts as you like, and manage everything with a single login. Elevate your savings game today.
What's more, you can receive a £100 bonus when you register and fund your first savings account with a minimum of £10,000 using the code "SAVINGS100". For more details, please go to raisin.co.uk/pensioncraft
This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not financial advice. We do not provide recommendations or endorse any decision to buy, sell or hold any security. We cannot be held responsible for any actions listeners may take and investors are encouraged to seek independent financial advice.
Copyright 2023 Many Happy Returns
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