Foreign investors buy net 1.2b euros in Italian govt bonds in March

MILAN: Foreign holdings of Italian government bonds grew by a net 1.2 billion euros ($1.34 billion) in March after rising some 5 billion euros the previous month, balance of payments data showed on Monday.

International investors had been reducing their exposure to Italy since an anti-austerity coalition took shape in May last year and formed a government in June, clashing with European Commission over plans to ramp up public spending and unwind past deficit-curbing reforms.  The Bank of Italy said foreign investors mainly bought BOT Treasury bills in March.