Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Europe's Crisis Widens

Wall Street Journal
November 30, 2010

Investors dismissed European leaders' latest attempt to restore market calm, raising doubts about whether governments can rebuild confidence in the region's common currency amid signs that the debt crisis is creeping deeper into the Continent.

The euro fell to a 10-week low, and was below $1.30 in late New York trading. Bond markets across Europe's vulnerable fringe sank, as the "risk premium" investors demand for lending to Spain and Italy hit record highs. Standard & Poor's said after European markets closed it is considering a downgrade on Portugal's credit rating, citing economic pressures and increased risks to the government's creditworthiness.

The bond selloff extended Monday's declines, suggesting that Sunday's agreement by European governments to bail out Ireland and set up a permanent rescue fund has left investors cold.

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