Monti hails landmark drop in spread to 287 on Twitter Key policy goal reached by outgoing premier

(ANSA) - Rome, January 2 - Italian Premier Mario Monti hailed in a Twitter message on Wednesday the fact that "finally" the spread between Italian 10-year bonds and the German benchmark fell to 287 points.The drop in the spread, the key gauge of market confidence in Italy's ability to pay down its huge debt, is a landmark policy goal set by the outgoing premier.At 287 the spread is exactly half the level it was at when Monti took over from Silvio Berlusconi with Italy at the centre of the eurozone debt crisis in November 2011. The yield also fell Wednesday to 4.30%, its lowest since December 2010.