The European Central Bank has not yet put the issue of buying corporate bonds on the agenda for its December policy meeting, according to two people familiar with the matter.
The euro weakened and shares rose in Italy, Spain and Germany jumped after Reuters reported two sources as saying that the policy making governing council could discuss the possibility of buying the assets at its final meeting of 2014, reports Claire Jones.
While corporate bond purchases are an option that policy makers have discussed in recent months, one of the people familiar with the matter said preparations for buying the debt have not intensified in recent weeks.
However, the person said corporate bond purchases are being considered, along with other ideas, as a possible means to extend the ECB's programme of private sector asset purchases - which at the moment are confined to asset-backed securities and covered bonds - should inflation and growth in the eurozone continue to disappoint.