Spread up two points to 226

(ANSA) – Rome, December 12 – The spread between Italian 10-year bonds and their AAA-rated German equivalents, the premium investors pay to hold Italian paper, on Thursday closed two points up on 226 points with a 4.09% yield, still its lowest since July 2011.

A narrower spread indicates greater investor confidence in the Italian economy and Rome’s ability to pay down its huge debt.

Analysts said investors were responding to firmer prospects of political stability after confidence votes in Italy’s new left-right government.

Markets posted moderate losses across Europe as better-than-expected US retail sales increased concerns about when the Federal Reserve will start easing stimulus policies.

The Milan bourse closed 0.94% down, the second biggest loser in Europe after London which closed 0.96% down. Frankfurt was 0.66% down, Paris 0.43%, Madrid 0.93% and Athens 0.84% down.