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Italy's Got Political Problems, but its Bonds Don't Care
The March 4 Italian elections have produced a lot of drama, an equity-market selloff, and as yet no sign of a government -- but in the bond market, stability should prevail. Ten-year Italian yields have held close to 2 percent all year so far. Of course, there was always going to be a benefit from the European Central Bank's quantitative easing purchases. But a spike in redemptions is likely to mean extra support. Then there are the political negotiations. Some of the calm in markets hangs on the fact that President Sergio Mattarella has broad constitutional powers to act as an independent arbiter once Parliament ... (full story)