Economics
Italy Boosts Firms Liquidity, Expands Anti-Takeover Powers
- Guarantees for loans to companies now up to 750 billion euros
- ‘Golden Power’ curbs now also cover takeovers by EU firms
A closed sign hangs in a shop window in Palermo, Italy, on April 1.
Photographer: Tullio Puglia/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Italy’s government expanded its powers to block foreign takeovers and prepared a massive injection of liquidity into companies that risk bankruptcy amid the world’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced new economic measures as the country enters its fifth week of lockdown, with all non-essential businesses shuttered and still no plan to relax restrictions. Italy reported 3,599 new infections on Monday, the lowest in nearly three weeks.