European Central Bank

Greece’s new five-year bond returned on Wednesday to the yield at which it was sold last week, after a turbulent few days of trading.

The bond issue – which was Greece’s first in four years and came just two years after the country defaulted – was issued at a yield of 4.95 percent last Thursday.

A shock drop in March eurozone inflation to its lowest level since November 2009 was confirmed on Wednesday, keeping pressure on the European Central Bank to intervene should prices not rebound.

Lukanyo Mnyanda & Eshe Nelson

The euro area’s higher-yielding government bonds are emerging as a haven from emerging-market turmoil as the prospect of greater stimulus from the European Central Bank underpins demand for the securities.

European Central Bank (ECB) funding to Greek banks fell further in March, according to figures released by the Bank of Greece on Monday.

Stefan Riecher & Rainer Buergin

Mario Draghi’s patience with the euro has snapped.

“The strengthening of the exchange rate requires further monetary stimulus,” European Central Bank President Draghi told reporters in Washington on April 12. “That’s an important dimension for our price stability.”

Nikos Chrysoloras & Christos Ziotis

Greek lenders’ success last month in raising funds from foreign investors shows the government can reach its goal of returning to bond markets, said George Provopoulos, the country’s central-bank chief.

Revived appetite for emerging markets helped Asian stocks hit a near six-month high on Wednesday, leaving Europe and other developed markets - where future stimulus looks increasingly uncertain - trailing.

By John Geddie

Greece's imminent return to bond markets just two years after a massive debt restructuring, expected as early as Wednesday, lifted investor appetite for riskier credits which has stalled over the last couple of days.

Lucy Meakin & David Goodman

Europe’s worsening growth prospects are losing significance for bond investors as bets the European Central Bank will begin asset-purchase stimulus measures boost demand for the region’s higher-yielding bonds.

Greece seeks Swiss co-operation in hunt for tax cheats

Athens is asking for assistance to identify Greek citizens who are using Switzerland as a tax haven.

The Greek government wants to inspect secret foreign bank accounts of tax evaders such as those in the HSBC bank. [AFP]