Portugal has paid a higher interest rate to borrow (EURO)854 million ($1.2 billion) in a debt auction that reflected continuing market nervousness about the eurozone's fiscal health.
Portugal had to ask for a (EURO)78 billion ($110 billion) bailout earlier this year to help pay heavy debts that have weakened its economy and alarmed investors.
To maintain a presence in the international debt market, Portugal auctioned 3-month Treasury bills Wednesday.
The government debt agency said it paid a rate of 4.959 percent for the loan, up from 4.854 percent in a comparable auction three weeks ago.
Demand was 2.2 times the amount on offer, slightly up from the last sale.
The debt agency had intended to borrow up to (EURO)1.25 billion.
