EGBS: Bund Futures Off Session Lows As Tariff Announcements Digested

Feb-14 10:40

Bund futures have moved away from session lows, now -10 ticks at 132.75 (from a low of 132.55). The prospect of delayed US reciprocal tariffs appeared to weigh at the open, with immediate downside growth risks removed for now. 

  • Eurozone Q4 GDP growth saw a small upward revision to 0.1% Q/Q , though remains below the ECB’s December projection. Productivity per employee growth remains sluggish.
  • Long-end German ASWs have widened for a second day (albeit off intraday highs at typing). Positioning and spillover from US spread widening are possible drivers.
  • 10-year Bund yields peaked at 2.445%, but have since fallen back to 2.429%. This dynamic allowed 10-year EGB spreads to Bunds widen away from opening lows.
  • Spreads are generally within 1bp of yesterday’s closing levels, with GGBs underperforming a little. Spreads remain tighter on the week, aided by further solid European equity performance. 

Historical bullets

EGBS: Bunds Rise Alongside Gilts Following UK CPI

Jan-15 10:38

Major EGB futures have risen alongside Gilts following the lower-than-expected UK CPI reading this morning, with Bund futures +14 ticks at 130.61 at typing, just off session highs of 130.74.

  • German cash yields are 0.5-3bps lower, with the belly outperforming. The 10-year Gilt/Bund spread has tightened almost 6bps on the session following the UK data.
  • 10-year EGB spreads to Bunds have tightened, with BTPs outperforming. After reaching a high of 124bps on Monday, the BTP/Bund spread is now back at ~116.5bps.
  • Today's 30-year Bund auction saw average results, while the EFSF has sent an RFP for an upcoming transaction, in line with MNI’s expectations. We expect the transaction to take place on Monday or Tuesday next week.
  • Eurozone industrial production was in line with consensus expectations and MNI’s tracking at 0.2% M/M (vs an upwardly revised 0.2% prior).
  • ECB speakers (Lane overnight, de Guindos and Villeroy this morning) have re-iterated the base case of further policy easing, but were not market movers.
  • Global focus remains squarely on this afternoon’s US CPI report (1330GMT).

PORTUGAL T-BILL AUCTION RESULT: 12-Month BT

Jan-15 10:37
Type12-month BT
MaturityJan 16, 2026
AmountE1bln
TargetE1.0-1.25bln
PreviousE500mln
Avg yield2.416%
Previous2.344%
Bid-to-cover2.67x
Previous3.11x
Previous dateDec 04, 2024

GILTS: Outperforming Following CPI, Curve Steepens On Dovish BoE Repricing

Jan-15 10:35

Gilts off morning highs after softer-than-expected CPI data drove a rally at the open.

  • Markets ignore the fact that the downside surprise was mostly driven by volatile components.
  • The recent increase in short positioning in futures (flagged in recent days) will be contributing to the rally.
  • Limited weakness following the 4.25% Jul-34 gilt auction, which generated the lowest cover ratio for an offering of the line since ’23, countered by an average tail (there was risk of a wider tail given recent gilt weakness/vol.).
  • Futures +80 at 90.05, range 89.68-90.19.
  • Bearish trend in futures intact, although today’s data puts that at risk. Initial support and resistance located at 88.96 and 90.31, respectively.
  • Yields 6.5-11bp lower.
  • 10s ~25bp off end ’24 highs, ~11bp off early ’25 highs.
  • 5s30s on track for a fresh cycle closing high, last 86.4bp.
  • 10s spread vs. Bunds ~5.5bp tighter at 218bp, driven by CPI.
  • BoE-dated OIS showing 51bp of cuts vs. 36.5bp late yesterday (latter represented a fresh cycle hawkish extreme).
  • SONIA futures +2.5 to +11.0.
  • Dovish flow seen in SONIA options this morning (covered earlier).
  • Comments from BoE dovish dissenter Taylor due this afternoon (16:30 London), with particular focus on his comments in light of the recent market adjustments.

BoE Meeting

SONIA BoE-Dated OIS (%)

Difference vs. Current Effective SONIA Rate (bp)

Feb-25

4.492

-20.9

Mar-25

4.471

-22.9

May-25

4.378

-32.2

Jun-25

4.338

-36.2

Aug-25

4.262

-43.8

Sep-25

4.247

-45.3

Nov-25

4.206

-49.4

Dec-25

4.191

-50.9