Gilts enjoyed a steady rise over the...>

GILT SUMMARY: Gilts enjoyed a steady rise over the course of Friday`s session,

ahead of a week that could prove crucial in the Brexit saga.

- Dec18 Gilt futures are near the day`s highs, last up 38 ticks at 120.42 (wide

intraday range of 119.79-120.52).

- The curve has traded mixed, with the 2-Yr yield down 3.4bps at 0.839%, 5-Yr

down 4bps at 1.202%, 10-Yr down 3.6bps at 1.638%, and 30-Yr down 4.1bps at

2.033%.

- Short Sterling at day's highs, with Greens and Blues up 4.0-5.0 ticks.

- The main news to watch as ever over the weekend is on Brexit, with the stakes

raised by next week's decisive EU meeting on the deal set for the Weds 17th, and

amid reports this week that an agreement could be reached as soon as Monday.

- Latest news is Bloomberg citing diplomats saying both sides are discussing a

way to allow the post-Brexit 21-month transition phase to be extended, by way of

breaking the Irish border deadlock.

- Little in the way of UK data until labour market stats on Tuesday.