Financial markets in the UK have recently been confronted with a ‘dash for cash’, whereby investors sell off even safe assets such as long-term government bonds to obtain cash. The catalyst was the announcement of an expansionary fiscal policy, which might force the Bank of England to hike interest rates more aggressively given the potential inflationary consequences. Leverage and the ensuing margin calls acted as an accelerator of the jump in Gilt yields. The events show the necessity for a coordination of economic policy. In case of elevated supply side inflation, this means monetary tightening to trigger disinflation, targeted fiscal policy support to those who suffer most from inflation and macroprudential policy that address the consequences from market volatility and large increases in bond yields.
UK: the ‘dash for cash’, leverage and the need for economic policy coordination
Published on October 4, 2022 in :
Markets and financial investments