Business & Finance

Yields rise at Egyptian government bond auction

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CAIRO: The Egyptian government's borrowing costs climbed at an auction on Monday, the central bank said, as the country struggles to cover a massive deficit.

The average yield on 18-month bonds climbed to 11.603 percent from 11.450 percent at the last issue, on Oct. 29.

The average yield on five-year bonds went up to 12.73 percent from 12.43 percent at the previous auction, and climbed to 14.29 percent from 14.14 percent on 10-year bonds.

The bank said it sold 1.5 billion Egyptian pounds ($217.8 million) each of 18-month and five-year bonds, in both cases matching the amount it had offered.

It sold 978.1 million pounds worth of 10-year bonds, less than the 1.5 billion it offered.

Egypt's economic outlook is still clouded by political uncertainty nearly three years after Hosni Mubarak's downfall in early 2011, which set off turbulence that has chased away foreign investors and tourists.

The army toppled Islamist President Mohamed Mursi on July 3 following mass protests against his rule.

The army-backed interim government is working towards a constitutional referendum and elections in the coming months.