European stocks jump, bond yields slide after Fed's emergency rate cut

[LONDON] European stocks extended gains and bond yields fell in a sharp risk-on trade after the US Federal Reserve cut interest rate on Tuesday by a half percentage point in an emergency move.

The Fed said it was cutting rate to a target range of 1.00 per cent to 1.25 per cent, saying "the coronavirus poses evolving risks to economic activity".

The pan-European STOXX 600 index jumped 3.2 per cent to day highs after the news, while German bond yields briefly fell with 10-year yields last up 3 bps on the day at -0.59 per cent.

Italian bond yields extended their falls, with 10-year yields last down 9 bps on the day at 1.06 per cent.

Britain's pound meanwhile rose further and was last up 0.6 per cent on the day at US$1.2825.

"We are seeing talk translating into action which is very welcome," Peter Kinsella, head of FX strategy at UBP. 

REUTERS