Lefigaro.fr – The gap between interest rates of French and German bonds this week hit levels not seen for 20 years (200 bp). French government bonds are they a safe investment?
Philippe Mimran – all depends what you mean by "safe." If this is the sense of repayable loan, the answer is yes. France is able to repay its debts. However, if the sense of an investment that does not generate short-term losses, the answer is no. In other words, the French government bonds are no longer as safe as German bonds. Financial markets expect interest rates continue to rise. This difference of 190 basis points is the same as that between Italian bonds and German bonds in July.The French bonds are more risky than a month ago, European banks sell massively.
Why?
The rules for accounting for government bonds in banks' balance sheets have changed. Until then, when a bank subscribed to an obligation of 100 million euros to 2.5%, it maintained that amount on its balance sheet and collected an annual coupon of 2.5%. And, regardless of the carrying amount of the obligation. Now, if the title is only worth 90 million euros, it instantly suffer a loss of 10%. The balance sheet of banks is affected. For secure, regulators require them to strengthen their capital.