Italian markets cheered by new government

LONDON (CNNMoney)

Centre-left Prime Minister Enrico Letta was sworn in Sunday to head a broad coalition of ministers from his own party and members of Silvio Berlusconi's center-right party. Parliament was expected to pass a vote of confidence in the new government Monday.

The appointment ends two months of political stalemate and removes the prospect, for now at least, of a prolonged period of instability -- despite doubts about the coalition's durability and uncertainty over its economic reforms.

Italian markets rallied, with Milan's benchmark index gaining 1.5% and outperforming its European peers. The index has been the strongest of all major European markets over the past month, although it is still lagging so far this year.

Italy also sold three billion euros in 10-year bonds at a yield of 3.94%, down from nearly 4.7% a month ago and their lowest level since October 2010.

Related: If not now, when will ECB cut rates

Bonds in weaker eurozone states have been rallying for months, supported by the European Central Bank's backstop pledge last year and hyper-loose monetary policy in Japan and the United States, which has prompted investors to look for higher returns elsewhere.

"Italian sovereign debt is benefiting from the effects of central bank liquidity support and political stability of sorts," said Nicholas Spiro, managing director of Spiro Sovereign Strategy.

The eurozone's third-biggest economy was brought to the brink of collapse in late 2011 when yields on its huge debt pile climbed to unsustainable levels around 7%.

Tax increases and spending cuts by a technocrat government led by Mario Monti reassured investors. But they led to a backlash against austerity in February's elections, boosting support for Beppe Grillo's protest movement and leaving no party able to form a government on its own.

Related: Austerity debate rages in Europe

Letta has signaled a willingness to adjust Italy's unpopular austerity drive, and Berlusconi has campaigned for a tax on property to be reversed, but it is unclear how the new government would make up for the revenue shortfall and the backdrop continues to deteriorate.

"Post-crisis sentiment toward Italy has never been better, but the economic conditions have never been worse," said Spiro.

Italy's government borrowing totals about two trillion euros, equal to around 127% of gross domestic product, a ratio surpassed in the eurozone only by Greece. Its economy has barely grown for years, unemployment is near 12% and rising, and living standards for many are tumbling.

The priorities for Letta's government are likely to mirror those of 87-year old Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, who was persuaded to accept a second term after parliament failed to agree on an alternative.

Napolitano has established two expert committees to work on overhauling Italy's convoluted electoral system and political institutions, and making structural reforms to restore competitiveness, boost growth and make a dent in the debt mountain.

First Published: April 29, 2013: 8:16 AM ET

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