UK Stocks Tick Up After Sharp Gilt‑Driven Selloff

Overview

• The FTSE 100 plunged 1.68% on Thursday to 10,428.27 after a sudden jump in UK government bond yields, with the 30‑year gilt topping 6% and the 10‑year near 5.45%.
• Early trading on Friday produced a modest technical rebound, with the FTSE 100 up about 0.1–0.28% as gilt yields and Brent oil eased from their peak levels.
• Investors are focused on US Non‑Farm Payrolls due later on Friday because stronger or weaker jobs data could change expectations for Federal Reserve policy and move global bond yields.
• Company news amplified stock moves today: IG Group cut guidance and warned Q3 revenue would be around £240m, sending its shares down about 21%, while BT shares jumped roughly 4% on reports of a possible bid for TalkTalk.
• Higher gilt yields matter for households and businesses because they push up government and corporate borrowing costs, raise the discount rates used to value stocks, and can prolong market volatility if they stay elevated.