Market gauge of British inflation highest since at least end 2013

[LONDON] A market measure of long-term British inflation rose on Friday to its highest level since the end of 2013 at least as sterling took a dive on growing anxiety that Britain will opt for a "hard" exit from the European Union.

On Friday, the pound tumbled about 10 per cent from levels around US$1.2600 to US$1.1378 in a matter of minutes in thin early Asian trade.

The currency's weakness, which increases the cost of imports, has fuelled expectations for higher inflation.

The five-year, five-year breakeven inflation forward, a measure of long-term inflation expectations in Britain, rose to around 3.64 per cent at 0833 GMT - one of its highest levels since late 2013, according to Reuters data.

At 1148 GMT the forward stood at 3.58 per cent.

British gilt yields also rose sharply.

The 10-year gilt yield was up 21 basis points this week at 0.96 per cent and on track for the biggest one-week rise since August 2015.

REUTERS