Gilts Gain as China GDP Slowdown Spurs Safety Bid; Pound Weakens

U.K. government bonds advanced for a third day as a report showing China’s economic growth unexpectedly slowed in the first quarter boosted demand for haven assets.

Ten-year gilt yields approached the lowest level since September even as the Debt Management Office prepared to sell 2.25 billion pounds ($3.45 billion) of 30-year bonds on Thursday. The U.K. government will release inflation figures for March tomorrow and the Bank of England is scheduled to publish the minutes of its April 3-4 meeting the following day. The pound weakened for a second day against the dollar.