Historic gilt lows reflect improved debt outlook, but growth fears remain

Nangle, Barings: 1.43% seems to be a vote of confidence

Record low yields on UK gilts signal market expectations that the government will successfully lower its debts, but also that a period of low growth lies ahead.

The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, announced on October 20 the results of the government's spending review, which will result in £81 billion of spending cuts. Yields on the benchmark 2.75% gilt due to mature in January 2015 fell to a low of 1.441% the day after the announcement. On October 25, the bond was trading at 1.4