Gilt-edged market refers to the market of government securities.
Government securities, also known as gilt-edged securities, are debt instruments issued by the government to borrow money from the public. These securities are considered to be safe and low-risk investments because they are backed by the government. They typically offer fixed interest payments and have a fixed maturity date.
The term "gilt-edged" originated from the practice of printing or edging the certificates of government securities with a gilt (gold) border, indicating their high-quality and secure nature.
Investors, such as banks, financial institutions, and individuals, participate in the gilt-edged market to buy and sell government securities. This market provides a platform for the trading and investment in government bonds and other fixed-income instruments issued by the government.
Therefore, the correct interpretation of gilt-edged market is the market of government securities.