Investors remain confident about the recovery in the European periphery, despite Thursday's revelation that Portuguese conglomerate Espírito Santo International has postponed coupon payments on some of its short-term debt.
The latest action followed news in May that the bank - Banco Espírito Santo - had been subject to an audit by the Bank of Portugal relating to its financial strength. Espírito Santo International is the conglomerate that indirectly holds a stake in the bank of the same name.
