Euro and bond yields lifted by ECB official saying half-point rate hike is possible

By Steve Goldstein

The euro rallied on Tuesday, helped by a rise in bond yields as well as comments from a European Central Bank policymaker in which he said a half percentage point interest rate hike was possible.

Klaas Knot told a Dutch television program said he favors a quarter-point rate hike, but would support a half-point increase if new data suggest inflation is broadening further or accumulating. While regarded as one of the most hawkish voices on the ECB, Knot’s was the first to broach a half-point increase.

The yield on the Italian 2-year bond /zigman2/quotes/211347219/realtime BX:TMBMKIT-02Y 0.00% shot up 12 basis points, to 0.92%. The yield on the German 2-year bund /zigman2/quotes/211347102/realtime BX:TMBMKDE-02Y 0.00% rose 13 basis points, to 0.27%.

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Italy 2 Year Government Bond

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March 31, 2023 5:34p

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Germany 2 Year Government Bond

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March 31, 2023 6:02p