Bonds: Calm winds on interest-front

There was relatively quiet on the bond markets in Europe Tuesday, where a lack of news and remain closed trading in the U.S. meant very little fluctuation in interest rates.

Spain's economic growth lagged not quite as much as economists feared in the third quarter. Growth in gross domestic product, GDP, was Tuesday morning amounted to minus 1.6 percent in the third quarter compared with the same period last year. Economists had expected a decline of 1.7 percent, which was in line with data earlier this month from the Bank of Spain.

Bonds: Spanish messages turned the picture

Bond dealers were almost gone for the weekend before Friday's trade. In any case, there were close to absolute rest on a trading day, which was marked by cautious buying almost across the board.

This resulted in a slight decline in interest rates in both South and North Europe most of the day, but new reports that Spain has not intend to seek official help for its pressed banking sector reversed the picture in Spain and Italy, which ended with small increases in interest rates.

Europe: Kept momentum in Spanish redemption

The European market Wednesday insisted its upward momentum after a long-awaited report from Moody's on Spain did not contain the expected downgrade of its credit rating. At the same time a string of positive news for several large European companies sent mood firmly upwards.

Euro rescue fund with 500 billion euro is ready

Two years after the euro countries started to design a new, permanent rescue fund for their ailing economies, the fund - called ESM – is now a reality.

Economy and finance ministers from the 17 euro countries are Monday meeting in Luxembourg to founding the board of the fund, which should eventually be able to support problem countries with up to 500 billion euro.

Currency: Peace and safety in the currency markets

Stagnation is the best word to describe the international currency markets Thursday. Investors enjoy themselves in their shelter from the news from both debt crisis as well as the macroeconomic front. But it is only a matter of time, according to analysts.

Bonds: The Spanish problems pours in

The yield spread between South and North Europe widened considerably Wednesday, when there were major decline in interest rates in Northern Europe and significant increases in Southern Europe and especially Spain.

Bonds: Europe in small side steps

European bond yields Thursday painted a picture of a somewhat indecisive market after a number of key areas such as European consumer confidence and U.S. business outlook index from Philadelphia Fed more or less equalized Wednesday’s fluctuations.

Bonds: Falling interest rates in both the north and south

A fall in the European stock markets Tuesday had investors seeking back in the safe haven in the bond market.