| Asia-based asset management firm, Okuma Group | | | | 4%. |
| apparently believes that the United Kingdom is likely to | | | | Despite public statements to the contrary, Okuma |
| be the focus of Speculator attention in the event of an | | | | Group believes that the EU will eventually orchestrate |
| EU bailout of the PIGS nations. | | | | a bailout for the beleaguered PIGS nations and that, |
| PIGS is the acronym given to Portugal, Ireland, Greece | | | | speculator attention will shift towards the UK which |
| and Spain who represent the most indebted | | | | does not use the single currency. |
| economies in the European Union. Recently, Greece | | | | The firm believes that the UK's 10 year gilt may see its |
| has seen the yield on its 10 year treasury bill exceeds | | | | yield increase significantly which would spark interest |
| 7% thanks to speculators betting that the country is | | | | rate rises in other long-term debt sectors including |
| likely to default on its debt unless a bailout is mounted | | | | mortgages. A source close to the firm said that there |
| by the European Union. In stark contrast, the yield | | | | was a distinct possibility of the UK having to turn to the |
| payable on a 10 year German bund currently stands at | | | | International Monetary Fund for a bailout. |