Portugal: bonds, indices, credit ratings

The Obrigacoes do Tesouro (OT) are the main instrument used by the Republic of Portugal to satisfy its borrowing requirements. OT are medium- and long-term book-entry securities issued by syndication, auction or by tap with:

- maturities of between 1 and 50 years;

- bearing a fixed interest rate coupon or not (zero coupon);

- redeemable on maturity at nominal value

- with the possibility of stripping.

All OT lines are admitted to trading on the Special Market for Public Debt (MEDIP managed by MTS Portugal). Larger-sized OT lines are also listed on the EuroMTS platform.

The placement of OT in the primary market is ensured by a group of financial institutions with the status of Primary Dealers (OEVT) or Other Auction Participants (OMP). Both OEVT and OMP have to participate in MEDIP, according to this status, and the OEVT have the obligation of promoting the liquidity of the secondary market.

Since their creation in 1985 the Bilhetes do Tesouro (BT) were also an important source of State funding and of monetary intervention.

Portugal is currently under an Economic and Financial Assistance Programme (EFAP) and therefore not issuing Medium and Long Term Bonds.