Stocks rise, pound drops as BoE cuts interest rates

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Global equity markets rose on Thursday, helped by a rally in European shares after the Bank of England cut interest rates and revived a bond-buying program to cushion a blow to the economy from Britain’s June vote to leave the European Union.

The launch of the policy-easing measures hammered sterling and weighed on bond yields.

The BoE cut its main rate by a quarter percentage point to a record low 0.25 percent and said it would take “whatever action is necessary” to achieve stability in the wake of Britain’s vote to leave the EU.

The rate cut was widely expected but not the other measures.

“The Bank of England has hit a perfect ‘high five’ at today’s meeting, over-delivering against market expectations and bucking the recent trend of central banks disappointing,” J.P. Morgan Asset Management portfolio manager Nick Gartside said.

MSCI’s world stocks index, which tracks shares in 45 nations, was up 0.34%.

Sterling was down 1.53% at $1.3120 and on track for its largest one-day fall in a month against the dollar.

“The BoE’s dovish guidance and bearish outlook for growth will leave the pound at risk of further falls in the months ahead,” Western Union Business Solutions senior market analyst Joe Manimbo said.

Wall Street shares were little changed as investors awaited Friday’s US nonfarm payrolls report for clues on the timing of the next Federal Reserve interest-rate hike.

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week, but the labor market remains healthy and will probably continue to support economic growth for the remainder of this year.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.57 points, or 0.01%, to 18,352.43 in early afternoon trading, the S&P 500 gained 0.96 points, or 0.04%, to 2,164.75, and the Nasdaq Composite added 5.01 points, or 0.1%, to 5,164.75.

Europe’s broad FTSEurofirst 300 index was up 0.69% at 1,331.37. Strength in major financial and industrial stocks including Aviva and Siemens boosted the region’s equity markets.

Oil prices slipped after gains made earlier in the session and on the previous day as global overproduction and unsold crude weighed on markets.

Brent crude was down 0.26% at $42.99 a barrel, while US crude was up 0.24% at $40.93.

In bond markets, the BoE rate cut sent US Treasury yields tumbling, with some short- and medium-term yields hitting their lowest levels in more than three weeks.

The move pushed yields on 10-year UK government bonds, or Gilts, to a record-low 0.646%.

Benchmark 10-year US yields hit their lowest level in three days at 1.484%.

The dollar gained against a basket of currencies for a second straight session as investors continued to balance positions ahead of Friday’s jobs report. The dollar index, which tracks the greenback against six major currencies, was up 0.14% to 95.695.

Gold prices turned higher on the BoE decision, but the stronger dollar kept a lid on gains. Spot gold prices were up 0.42% to $1,363.21 an ounce.