The yield on the UK’s 10-year gilt climbed to 4.74%, reflecting a cautious market balancing optimism over US-Iran peace talks against persistent economic risks. While mediators reported progress in extending the ceasefire, and US President Donald Trump suggested a possible breakthrough, uncertainty lingers after Washington announced plans to deploy 10,000 additional troops to the region. The continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz is keeping energy costs and inflation elevated, prompting markets to price in two Bank of England interest rate hikes this year. Investors are also watching today’s meeting between UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington. The discussions come after Trump’s recent comments to Sky News heightened tensions and cast doubt on last year’s trade deal. On Tuesday, Reeves issued her strongest criticism yet of Trump’s Middle East conflict, emphasizing its harmful economic consequences.
