Italian BTPs are trading a little.......>

EGB SUMMARY: Italian BTPs are trading a little wider of Bunds, which are weaker

but off their lows to begin Thursday.

- After hitting a low of 158.85 earlier, the Dec 18 Bund future is down 13 ticks

for the day at 159.03. 2-Yr yield is down 0.1bps at -0.578%, 5-Yr is up 0.6bps

at -0.126%, 10-Yr is up 0.8bps at 0.469%, and 30-Yr is up 0.4bps at 1.099%.

- Generally, global bonds on the back foot after Wednesday's FOMC minutes

considered on the hawkish side, with USTs weaker.

- Italy PM Conte's comments in Brussels on a cordial meeting with Germany's

Merkel have not arrested a dip in BTPs with short end outperforming, 2-Yr yield

is up 1.1bps at 1.359%, 10-Yr is up 2.8bps at 3.576%.

- 10-Yr BTPs vs Bunds up 2.1bps at 310.8bps, Spain and Portugal fairly flat,

while Greece is out 2.5bps at 388.9bps.

- Euribor futures a little weaker further out, Blues down 1.5 ticks.

- Light on data following German wholesale prices this morning. ECB`s Nowotny

speaks at two events in Vienna at 0800GMT and 1100GMT.