ECB's US$820bn Bond Pledge Boosts Markets

The European Central Bank on Wednesday announced a surprise 750-billion-euro scheme to purchase government and corporate bonds, as it joined other central banks in stepping up efforts to contain the economic damage from the coronavirus.

The so-called Pandemic Emergency Purchase Programme comes just six days after the ECB unveiled a big-bank stimulus package that failed to calm nervous markets, piling pressure on the bank to open the financial floodgates.

The US$820-billion asset purchasing scheme will be temporary and be concluded once the bank "judges that the coronavirus Covid-19 crisis phase is over, but in any case not before the end of the year", it said in statement.

Tokyo markets climbed more than two per cent at the open on Thursday on news of the move. US oil prices rose 17 per cent.

The decision came after the bank's 25-member governing council held emergency talks by phone late into the evening.

The ECB said it was "committed to playing its role in supporting all citizens of the euro area through this extremely challenging time".

"The governing council will do everything necessary within its mandate," it said, adding that the size of the asset purchases could be increased if needed.

It also said it stood ready to relax some self-imposed restrictions on bond purchases to potentially help countries like Italy whose bond yields have soared over the coronavirus panic.

The ECB's latest medicine could be "a game changer for the euro area economy and credit markets" if it was accompanied by fiscal action from eurozone governments, Pictet Wealth Management strategist Frederik Ducrozet said. (AFP)