Spread closes down 5 on 164 (2)

(ANSA) - Rome, July 18 - The spread between Italian and German 10-year bond yields, a gauge of Italy's borrowing costs and of market confidence in the Italian economy, closed down five points on 164 points Tuesday, compared to 169 at Monday's close, with the yield down 0.03% to 2.21%.
    The lower the spread is, the better it is for the Italian economy and debt-servicing costs.
    The spread rose above 200 points recently on EU populist fears.