Gilts have slipped following a.........>

GILT SUMMARY: Gilts have slipped following a strong start.

- The Mar 19 Gilt future is up 5 ticks at 123.46, vs an open of 123.65. The 2-Yr

yield is down 0.8bps at 0.748%, 5-Yr is down 1bps at 0.889%, 10-Yr is down 2bps

at 1.241%, and 30-Yr is down 1bps at 1.773%.

- Support seen from Wednesday`s US Tsy rally following dovish comments from

Federal Reserve bank presidents.

- With Parliament due to begin to debate the Brexit deal Thursday afternoon, Sky

reported PM May reportedly looking for cross-party support, considering backing

an amendment to keep EU labour market rules to appease Labour members.

- Meanwhile, Tory Remainer rebels opened talks with Labour over an alternative

to May`s deal, The Times reported.

- BRC like-for-like sales in Dec disappointed at -0.7% Y/Y vs -0.3% survey;

retail corporate earnings reports have been mixed (Tesco up, Halfords down).

- Data done for the day; picks up Friday with Nov GDP readings.

- BoE Gov Carney`s online forum Q&A Wednesday was a non-event (unsurprisingly),

and no BoE speakers in the pipeline.