Gilts are struggling to find a clear...>

GILT SUMMARY: Gilts are struggling to find a clear direction early Friday, ahead

of a few U.K. data points to round out the week.

- The Jun 19 Gilt future is down a tick at 125.78.

- The 2-Yr yield is down 0.6bps at 0.821%, 5-Yr is down 0.1bps at 1.018%, 10-Yr

is up 0.3bps at 1.305%, and 30-Yr is up 0.3bps at 1.825%.

- Former Brexit Secretary Raab indicated on Radio 4 that like other Brexiteers

he has softened his stance somewhat on the Backstop.

- Namely that changes to the Withdrawal Agreement text were no longer required

for his support of May`s deal, though he wants to see the `substance` change.

This could occur by legal codicil.

- Telegraph `understands` that such a codicil could mean the backstop could be

ended by either UK or EU via an independent arbiter.

- January money and credit data from the Bank of England out at 0930GMT.

Mortgage approvals seen falling to 63,400 after ending 2018 at 63,800. Net

consumer credit expected to tick up from Stg0.7bn to Stg0.8bn.

- Feb Manufacturing PMI also due out at 0930GMT (BBG Surv: 52.0, Prior 50.6).