New state bond issue raises half a billion euros

Belgium’s latest campaign to sell state bonds resulted in more than €482.4 million being raised, according to figures from the Federal Debt Agency.

The most popular bond sold was the one-year note, which brought in €472.3 million. The eight-year bond sales brought in another €10.1 million.

The bonds carry a gross interest rate of 3.20% (2.24% net) for the one-year note and 2.80% (1.96% net) for the eight-year note.

The subscription campaign ran from 24 May to 3 June for individuals who invested through their bank, and from 24 to 31 May for those who wished to invest directly with the government via the Grands-Livres service.

During the campaign, 11,587 subscriptions were made via the Grands-Livres service for a total amount of €239.9 million, representing 49.7% of the total amount issued.

In the previous issue of state notes back in March, subscriptions totalled €433 million. Before that, at the beginning of September last year, the government raised a record €21.9 billion euros from a one-year state note.