ECB monetary operations

On October 2, the European Central Bank announced the seven-day main refinancing operation (MRO). The operation was conducted on October 3, and attracted bids from euro area eligible counterparties of €7,797 million, €3,554 million less than the previous week. The amount was allotted in full at a fixed rate equivalent to the prevailing MRO rate of 4.50 per cent, in accordance with current ECB policy.

On October 4, the ECB conducted the seven-day US dollar funding operation through collateralised lending in conjunction with the US Federal Reserve. This operation attracted bids of $230 million, which were allotted in full at a fixed rate of 5.58 per cent.

Domestic Treasury bill market

In the domestic primary market for Treasury bills, the Treasury invited tenders for 91-day and 182-day bills for settlement value October 5, 2023, maturing on January 4, and April 4, 2024, respectively.

Bids of €203.34 million were submitted for the 91-day bills, with the Treasury accepting €19.07 million, while bids of €58.84 million were submitted for the 182-day bills, with the Treasury accepting €4.84 million. Since €40.65 million worth of bills matured during the week, the outstanding balance of Treasury bills decreased by €16.74 million, standing at €506.65 million.

The yield from the 91-day bill auction was 3.532 per cent, decreasing by 3.80 basis points from bids with a similar tenor issued on September 28, representing a bid price of €99.1151 per €100 nominal.

The yield from the 182-day bill auction was 3.423 per cent, increasing by 31.10 basis points from bids with a similar tenor also issued on September 28, representing a bid price of €98.2989 per €100 nominal.

During the week, there was no trading on the Malta Stock Exchange.

Today, the Treasury will invite tenders for 91-day and 182-day bills maturing on January 11 and April 11, 2024, respectively.

The article is prepared by the Monetary Operations and Collateral Management Office of the Central Bank of Malta.