Gilts have opened slightly higher with........>

GILTS: Gilts have opened slightly higher with yields circa 0.5bp lower across

the curve as traders return to their desks following extended May-Day Holiday

weekend. 10-yr Gilt yield is 0.6bp lower at 1.396% according to Tradeweb.

- Markets are lacking direction though and are looking ahead to key decision by

US President Trump on Iran nuclear deal expected later this evening and then BoE

monetary policy decision and latest inflation report on Thursday.

- UK Politics is still in a muddle with more amendments being voted on the EU

withdrawal bill in the House of Lords. While further discussion on what type of

customs arrangement the UK wants has been postponed for a week.

- Short sterling strip has opened mixed with white contracts steady to 1 tick

lower, while reds, greens and blues are steady to 1 tick higher, albeit in light

volume. 

- Halifax house price index for April is released at 0830BST and is the only UK

data scheduled for today.