This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/business-12214176

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Euro up despite no sign of rescue fund deal Euro up despite no sign of rescue fund deal
(about 3 hours later)
The euro has risen sharply, despite signs that governments are in no rush to increase the eurozone rescue fund.The euro has risen sharply, despite signs that governments are in no rush to increase the eurozone rescue fund.
The single currency gained more than a cent against the dollar on Tuesday morning to more than $1.34. The single currency gained more than a cent against the dollar on Tuesday morning to about $1.34.
Meanwhile, an agreement is emerging over the terms of a much tougher round of stress tests for European banks, to be conducted later this year.Meanwhile, an agreement is emerging over the terms of a much tougher round of stress tests for European banks, to be conducted later this year.
European finance ministers are discussing the tests on the second day of a two-day meeting in Brussels.European finance ministers are discussing the tests on the second day of a two-day meeting in Brussels.
Comprehensive packageComprehensive package
The European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) was set up in May last year, and benefits from eurozone government guarantees for 440bn euros (£368bn; $590bn).The European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) was set up in May last year, and benefits from eurozone government guarantees for 440bn euros (£368bn; $590bn).
But in order to maintain its maximum triple-A-rating, the fund is effectively limited to borrowing about just 250bn euros, which many investors fear may prove insufficient to fund any future bail-out of Spain.But in order to maintain its maximum triple-A-rating, the fund is effectively limited to borrowing about just 250bn euros, which many investors fear may prove insufficient to fund any future bail-out of Spain.
On Monday, German finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble downplayed the need to urgently upsize the EFSF, sending the euro lower against most currencies.On Monday, German finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble downplayed the need to urgently upsize the EFSF, sending the euro lower against most currencies.
However, he later accepted that his government may have to raise its guarantee for the fund at least enough for it to be able to lend the originally-intended amount.However, he later accepted that his government may have to raise its guarantee for the fund at least enough for it to be able to lend the originally-intended amount.
The euro has since pushed higher again as speculation grows that an agreement will eventually be reached.The euro has since pushed higher again as speculation grows that an agreement will eventually be reached.
The pound remained steady at about 1.1925 euros, as higher-than-expected UK inflation data raised the probability of an interest rate rise, boosting sterling. The pound remained steady at about 1.194 euros, as higher-than-expected UK inflation data raised the probability of an interest rate rise, boosting sterling.
Mr Schaeuble said he wants the eurozone to do more than just bolster its crisis response fund, in order to "absolve us from the necessity to react again every couple of months".Mr Schaeuble said he wants the eurozone to do more than just bolster its crisis response fund, in order to "absolve us from the necessity to react again every couple of months".
He has called for a comprehensive package of policies, including improvements in competitiveness and greater fiscal co-ordination, and does not expect agreement to be reached until late March.He has called for a comprehensive package of policies, including improvements in competitiveness and greater fiscal co-ordination, and does not expect agreement to be reached until late March.
'Broad' discussion'Broad' discussion
Jean-Claude Juncker, who is chairing the ministerial meeting, said that many options for bolstering the crisis response mechanism had been discussed, but none was favoured.Jean-Claude Juncker, who is chairing the ministerial meeting, said that many options for bolstering the crisis response mechanism had been discussed, but none was favoured.
"All of the ingredients of the solutions we have to form are on the table," he said. "The discussion was broad and will be narrowed in the next couple of weeks.""All of the ingredients of the solutions we have to form are on the table," he said. "The discussion was broad and will be narrowed in the next couple of weeks."
Mr Juncker said ministers discussed the option of lowering the interest rate charged on bail-out loans.Mr Juncker said ministers discussed the option of lowering the interest rate charged on bail-out loans.
The Irish Republic had to pay an average interest rate of 5.8% on its rescue loans, after Germany pushed for a penalty rate to ensure that governments only seek a bail-out as a last resort.The Irish Republic had to pay an average interest rate of 5.8% on its rescue loans, after Germany pushed for a penalty rate to ensure that governments only seek a bail-out as a last resort.
But markets fear that the high cost of borrowing will make it even harder for rescued governments to repay debts to private-sector lenders.But markets fear that the high cost of borrowing will make it even harder for rescued governments to repay debts to private-sector lenders.
Lack of urgencyLack of urgency
Both the European Commission and the European Central Bank (ECB) have called for an increase in the size of the EFSF, as well as giving it new powers, such as the right to buy up eurozone government debt.Both the European Commission and the European Central Bank (ECB) have called for an increase in the size of the EFSF, as well as giving it new powers, such as the right to buy up eurozone government debt.
In recent weeks, markets have been reassured by the ECB's decision to step up its own purchases of eurozone government debts.In recent weeks, markets have been reassured by the ECB's decision to step up its own purchases of eurozone government debts.
Last week, the ECB seemingly confirmed its role in propping up the more financially stressed governments, by buying an unusually high 2.3bn euros in government debts ahead of key bond auctions in Portugal and Spain, both of which were successful.Last week, the ECB seemingly confirmed its role in propping up the more financially stressed governments, by buying an unusually high 2.3bn euros in government debts ahead of key bond auctions in Portugal and Spain, both of which were successful.
However, there are concerns at the ECB that by entangling itself in governments' finances, it is undermining its independence.However, there are concerns at the ECB that by entangling itself in governments' finances, it is undermining its independence.
Government debt problems have not gone away, as illustrated on Tuesday when the Greek government contradicted comments by its deputy prime minister suggesting the country would seek to extend the repayment dates on all of its debts in order to be able to repay them in full.Government debt problems have not gone away, as illustrated on Tuesday when the Greek government contradicted comments by its deputy prime minister suggesting the country would seek to extend the repayment dates on all of its debts in order to be able to repay them in full.
But by putting a floor under bond prices, the ECB has also reduced the sense of urgency among policy-makers, particularly in Germany, which has sought to resist rushed decisions.But by putting a floor under bond prices, the ECB has also reduced the sense of urgency among policy-makers, particularly in Germany, which has sought to resist rushed decisions.
"Market developments in the last week have, thank God, taken the urgency out of these discussions," commented Mr Schaeuble going into the talks."Market developments in the last week have, thank God, taken the urgency out of these discussions," commented Mr Schaeuble going into the talks.
Stress testsStress tests
Meanwhile, it emerged that ministers have agreed terms of a new round of stress tests for European banks.Meanwhile, it emerged that ministers have agreed terms of a new round of stress tests for European banks.
Increasing the financial strength of Europe's banks is widely seen as a necessary step in solving Europe's government debt problems.Increasing the financial strength of Europe's banks is widely seen as a necessary step in solving Europe's government debt problems.
The new round of European tests will take place this May, with results to be published in the summer.The new round of European tests will take place this May, with results to be published in the summer.
In contrast to the previous tests, the new ones are expected to include:In contrast to the previous tests, the new ones are expected to include:
  • a new "liquidity" test, required by the ECB, to ensure the banks have enough readily-available cash to survive - at least for some weeks - a run by depositors and lenders
  • a cut in the value of government bonds that are held by banks on a long-term basis
  • greater consistency in how they are implemented in different countries, including how the bank's core capital - which absorbs losses on its investments - is calculated.
  • a new "liquidity" test, required by the ECB, to ensure the banks have enough readily-available cash to survive - at least for some weeks - a run by depositors and lenders
  • a cut in the value of government bonds that are held by banks on a long-term basis
  • greater consistency in how they are implemented in different countries, including how the bank's core capital - which absorbs losses on its investments - is calculated.
European internal markets commissioner Michel Barnier has been taking advice from his counterparts in Washington, after similar stress tests on US banks were seen as stricter, and were much more successful in restoring market confidence.European internal markets commissioner Michel Barnier has been taking advice from his counterparts in Washington, after similar stress tests on US banks were seen as stricter, and were much more successful in restoring market confidence.
In a previous round of European tests last year, only seven of the 91 banks examined failed. Allied Irish Banks passed the test, but had to be rescued later in the year.In a previous round of European tests last year, only seven of the 91 banks examined failed. Allied Irish Banks passed the test, but had to be rescued later in the year.
In contrast, the US examined 19 banks in April, of which 10 were failed and forced to raise $75bn in additional capital.In contrast, the US examined 19 banks in April, of which 10 were failed and forced to raise $75bn in additional capital.