Italy's rates down at 5 & 10-year bond auction

MILAN: Italy raised 5.645 billion euros ($7.258 billion) in a five- and ten-year bond auction on Thursday, slightly less than targeted but at lower rates, despite fresh debt-crisis nervousness.

The Italian Treasury issued 2.718 billion euros in bonds set to mature within five years at a rate of 4.09, compared to 4.63 percent at the last similar operation, and 2.927 billion euros of 10-year bonds at a rate of 5.24 percent, down from 5.82 percent.