ECB Sees Bond Costs of Up to 100 Billion Euros, Spiegel Reports

The European Central Bank may spend between 70 and 100 billion euros ($90 to $128 billion) on bond purchases this year if interest rates on Spanish and Italian debt rise again “sharply”, Der Spiegel reported, citing internal information used at the central bank.

The figures are based on a scenario under which the ECB buys 10 to 14 percent of bonds eligible under the new plan, Der Spiegel said. The European Commission sees a Spanish request for ESM aid as “probable”, the German magazine said, citing a member of the Commission it did not name.

To contact the reporter on this story: Eva von Schaper in Munich at evonschaper@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Phil Serafino at pserafino@bloomberg.net