Thursday, November 10, 2011

Dodgy going ons in Italy!

Very very interesting. Indeed. Something smells rather fishy here. Earlier today Italy sold €5 billion in 1 year Bills at an average yield of 6.087%, the highest since September 1997, and almost 3% higher compared to a month ago, when it prices at 3.570%. However, what really catches the eye, is the fact that just before the auction, the 1 year was trading at a huge 7.75%, almost 200 bps ABOVE the auction. Who is prepared to receive a 6.09% yield in a new auction when they can receive a juicy 7.75% in the secondary market? Unless someone (read ECB) had alternative interests in forcing the yield lower. Now that certainly would be interesting, as the ECB is prohibited by law from intervening in the primary, auction market.

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