London — British gilt yields surged to a post-Brexit peak on Thursday, after data showed the economy had grown faster than expected in the third quarter, reducing the chances of an interest rate cut in the near term. The benchmark 10-year gilt yield rose 10 basis points to 1.27%, the highest since the Brexit vote in June, dragging other European government bond yields higher. It did little, however, to lift sterling, which fell against both the dollar and the euro. British gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 0.5% in the July-September period, less rapid than the unusually strong growth of 0.7% seen in the second quarter, but comfortably above a median forecast of 0.3% in a Reuters poll of economists. Compared with the third quarter of last year, growth picked up to 2.3%, the strongest pace in more than a year, according to the preliminary figures from the Office for National Statistics.

Subscribe now to unlock this article.

Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).

There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.

Cancel anytime.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.