The European Central Bank bought Italian government bonds today, according to two people familiar with the transactions.

The purchases were in small volumes and included 10-year securities, said one of the people, who declined to be identified because the trades are confidential.

A spokeswoman from the ECB declined to comment when contacted today by telephone.

The yield on 10-year Italian bonds fell two basis points to 4.97 percent at 1:15 p.m. in London.