The leu closed at 4.3625/4.368 per euro, from 4.409/4.411 per euro a day earlier.
The currency opened at 4.3925/4.395 to the euro and further appreciated, strengthening below 4.37 to the euro in the second half of the session. Market participants said the leu’s appreciation was largely supported by sales from non-residents who changed euros to buy state treasuries at a local debt auction.
The Finance Ministry sold 1.82 billion lei (EUR416 million) in four-year government bonds, threefold the planned amount, at an average yield of 6.03% a year, lower than at the previous auction. Banks offered RON5.25 billion.
The central bank set the leu’s reference at 4.3753 against the euro, a new record high since end April 2012. Against the US dollar, the leu’s indicative won 1% on the day to 3.393 units.
In the money market, overnight rates were flat at 5.3%-5.8% a year.