The yield on Italy's 10-year bond
fell on Tuesday to a new record low of 1.21% while the spread
between it and its German counterpart edged slightly higher to
close at 98 basis points.
On Monday, the spread was 96 basis points.
Interest rates on both nations' bonds fell Tuesday
following the beginning of the European Central Bank (ECB)
quantitative easing program involving massive bond purchases by
central banks.
The spread between Italy's BTP and the German Bund has
often been used as a measure of investor confidence in Italy
compared with the ultra-safe German paper.
During the sovereign debt crisis, Italian yields soared and
the spread with Germany rose about 500 basis points.
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