The FTSE 100 was on a knife-edge on Tuesday morning, swinging in and out of the red in the first hour of trading. The UK stock market index took a hit as the full financial impact of a no-deal Brexit begins to take hold.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) warned that government borrowing would soar to£ 92 billionif Johnson drags the country out of the EU without a deal on October 31 st. It echos previous warnings that Britain is poised to enter a sharp recession in event of a no-deal Brexit.
“[No-deal Brexit would] push the economy into recession, with asset prices and the pound falling sharply ”-Office for Budget Responsibility.
FTSE 100 struggles for traction
TheFTSE)traded flat on Tuesday as the Brexit deadline ticks closer. On the continent, Germany’s DAX fell 0.4%whileUS stock market futures also traded flat.
Brexit-induced debt disaster
The sobering figures out of the IFS this morning would see the UK reach the worst national debt levels in 50 years. A lack of economic growth, coupled with aggressive government stimulus to support the economy, threatens to push debt back to 90% of GDP.
“A no-deal Brexit – even with a substantial stimulus – could mean no growth at all for the next two years ”-Christian Schulz, Citi.
The impact of a no-deal Brexit versus an orderly departure are dramatic. Securing a Brexit deal before the end of the month would significantly soften the debt blow.
FTSE braces for no-deal
All signs point to a head-on collision between Boris Johnson and the EU in the final weeks of negotiation. The EU has reportedly refused to budge on Boris Johnson’s fresh deal terms. While Johnson is digging in his heels. Aleaked message from inside Downing Street reads:
“If this deal dies in the next few days, then it won’t be revived… We’ll either leave with no deal on 31 October or there will be an election and then we will leave with no deal. ”
The UK is screaming towards a disorderly no-deal exit and the stock market is bracing itself
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