Hedge funds bet $39 billion against government bonds

Frankfurt Highly indebted Italy is back in the focus of speculators. The uncertainty before the new elections on September 25th and the economic consequences of the energy crisis, which hit Italy, which is heavily dependent on natural gas, have brought hedge funds onto the scene. You bet against Italy.

Data from S&P Global Market Intelligence gives a frightening indication of this: investors borrowed up to 39 billion dollars in August to speculate against Italy. The last time there were so many bets against Italy was in the middle of the great financial crisis in 2008. Even in the euro crisis of 2012, short bets were lower.