On Friday, December 19, the European Central Bank (ECB) announced its weekly main refinancing operation (MRO). The auction was conducted on Monday, December 22, and attracted bids from euro area eligible counterparties of €119.16 billion, €20.13 billion higher than the bid amount of the previous week. The amount was allotted in full at a fixed rate equivalent to the prevailing MRO rate of 0.05 per cent, in accordance with current ECB policy.
Domestic Treasury bill market
In the domestic primary market for Treasury bills, the Treasury invited tenders for 30-day and 93-day bills maturing on January 23, and March 27, respectively. Submitted bids were €44.50 million for the 30-day bills, and €38.00 million for the 93-day bills, with the Treasury accepting no bids from both tenors. Since €34.50 million worth of bills matured during the week, the outstanding balance of Treasury bills decreased by €34.50 million, to stand at €140.44 million.
During the week under review, there was no trading on the Malta Stock Exchange.
Today the Treasury will invite tenders for 90-day and 182-day bills maturing on April 2, and July 3, respectively.