BONDS: EGBs-GILTS CASH CLOSE: Risk Spreads Tighten Alongside Equity Gains

Core European yields rose Wednesday, with periphery/semi-core EGB spreads tightening.

• Bund and Gilt gains peaked in European morning trade, with the periphery/semi-core instruments appearing to lead the way in a session that saw European equities hit fresh record highs.
• The initial core bid faded and yields hit session highs toward the cash close, weighed down in part by higher oil prices following US President Trump's ultimatum to Russia on reaching a deal to end the war with Ukraine, and with US long-end supply looming later in the day.
• In a session with limited data, higher-than-expected UK public sector borrowing figures did little to impact Gilts, while ECB speakers at Davos including Lagarde brought no surprises and no major market reaction. Supply included Spanish and Finnish syndications, and Bund auction.
• The rise in German yields was roughly parallel across the curve at +2bp (5Y outperformed slightly), with the UK curve bear steepening.
• Periphery and semi-core EGB spreads to Bunds tightened, with OATs leading the way for a 2nd consecutive session following strong demand at Tuesday's 15Y syndication.
• Thursday's data slate is sentiment survey-focused, including French and EU confidence, with the UK GfK and CBI reports as well. 

Closing Yields / 10-Yr EGB Spreads To Germany

• Germany: The 2-Yr yield is up 2.1bps at 2.236%, 5-Yr is up 1.7bps at 2.335%, 10-Yr is up 2bps at 2.53%, and 30-Yr is up 2.2bps at 2.753%.
• UK: The 2-Yr yield is up 2.1bps at 4.355%, 5-Yr is up 1.4bps at 4.351%, 10-Yr is up 4.2bps at 4.632%, and 30-Yr is up 3.1bps at 5.182%.
• Italian BTP spread down 1bps at 107.1bps / French OAT down 3.2bps at 73.8bps