Greek government borrowing costs hit their lowest level in more than five years on Wednesday as Athens looked set to clinch vital bailout loans from its international lenders.
The yield on a 10-year Greek bond – an indication of the cost for the government to raise long-term cash in financial markets – hit its lowest level since the country’s debt was restructured in March 2012, according to Tradeweb data.
Analysts said optimism over the troubled southern European state unlocking the cash it needs to make big debt repayments this summer has even given rise to expectations that it may soon end a near three-year exile from bond markets.
Greece's finance minister and central bank governor are scheduled to speak in Germany next week about the country's prospects for returning to markets, although European officials have previously said this will not be until mid-2018.
"There is a relief that Greece will get its disbursements to get through the summer, and that is the main driver of the bond rally," ING's senior rates strategist Martin van Vliet said.
“The Greek government is making the point that they can return to the markets now, and maybe I would give them a chance, but the way things are now it’s going to be difficult.”
Volatile bonds
Greek bonds are prone to volatile price moves and trading volumes are low compared to other euro zone markets because the junk-rated debt is not widely held by international investors.
A Greek government bond maturing in February 2027, part of a strip of long-term bonds that emerged from the debt restructuring, plumbed a new low of 5.616 per cent on Wednesday, having hit 5.633 per cent on Tuesday.
Other Greek yields were the lowest since at least 2014.
After six months of tense talks, Athens and its international lenders – the European Union and International Monetary Fund – reached a provisional deal last week on the reforms needed to release loans the country.
The euro group of finance ministers should approve the deal at a meeting on May 22nd, provided the reforms are passed by Greece’s parliament, which is expected.
Athens also wants its lenders to agree on a formula to make its debt sustainable in the longer term, so it can qualify for the European Central Bank’s bond-buying scheme and end a near three-year exile from debt markets.
Slovakia’s finance minister said on Wednesday that now was not the time for debt relief for Greece.
Many analysts say discussions on debt relief are unlikely to progress until after elections in Germany, Greece’s paymaster, in September.
– (Reuters)
