Published on Thu, Mar 18, 2010 at 09:33 | Source : Reuters
Updated at Thu, Mar 18, 2010 at 09:38
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Fed lifts equities with outlook on rates, growth
World stocks climbed on Wednesday in response to a relatively optimistic outlook from the U.S. Federal Reserve combined with a pledge to keep interest rates low.
Euro zone government bonds were in demand despite the gains in stocks, with a degree of relief spreading about Greek debt and the market unmoved by a raft of negative comment on EU states' deficits from the European Commission.
The premium investors demand to buy 10-year Greek government bonds rather than euro zone benchmark German Bunds narrowed.
Standard & Poor's affirmed Greece's triple-B plus credit rating on Tuesday and ended its review for a possible downgrade.
Euro zone countries, meanwhile, have agreed on helping Greece if it needs assistance but have not come up with much in the way of details.
On currency markets, the dollar was under pressure as a result of the Fed's low interest rate pledge.
