Economy
In reply to the discussion: STOCK MARKET WATCH, Wednesday, December 21, 2011. [View all]Ghost Dog
(16,881 posts)Last edited Wed Dec 21, 2011, 08:17 AM - Edit history (1)
VIENNA (dpa-AFX) - The European Central Bank alloted EUR 489.191 billion in three-year loans to banks in its long term refinancing operation held on Wednesday.
The figure exceeded economists' expectations for allotment upto EUR 300 billion. The total number of bidders was 523, for loans that mature on January 29, 2015, ECB data showed.
/... http://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-2011-12/22268822-ecb-3-year-loan-allotment-exceeds-forecast-020.htm
489.19bn is definitely at the top end of analyst expectations, and proves that appetite for funding as well as carry-trades (we presume) is extremely high.
That, or theres simply a lot of low-quality collateral out there which banks feel more comfortable transforming into liquidity via ECB funding operations.
Heres the entire results table from Reuters, showing no less than 523 bidders:
/... http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2011/12/21/809861/ltro-use-at-e489-19bn/