Spread closes 3 down on 162 (2)

(ANSA) - Rome, October 17 - 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 three points down on 162 points Tuesday, with the yield down 0.03% to 1.98%.
    The lower the spread is, the better it is for the Italian economy and debt-servicing costs.
    The spread rose above 200 points earlier this year on EU populist fears.