Spanish bonds have returned 3.5 percent over the last three months, the best performance of anywhere in the euro region. Neighboring Portugal is the opposite. Italy also looks a riskier alternative as it faces a referendum in the fourth quarter that may cost Prime Minister Matteo Renzi his job. Source: Bloomberg
Interior Minister Matteo Salvini on Saturday dismissed ratings agency Moody’s decision to downgrade Italy’s credit standing because of the government’s controversial budget plans and said the country’s outlook was “stable.” Source The Local
Sanctions are forcing Russia to find alternative settlement currencies to the US dollar to ensure the security of the country’s economy, according to President Vladimir Putin.“We are moving to the de-dollarization of the economy. We are doing so not because we want to undermine the dollar, but because we want to ensure our security. We are constantly facing sanctions, they do not give us the opportunity to work in dollars,” Putin said on Thursday at the Valdai Discussion Club meeting in Sochi. Source RT
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait will struggle to resume oil production from jointly operated fields any time soon due to operational differences and souring political ties between the previously close Gulf OPEC allies, sources familiar with the matter said. Source: Al Jazeera
