Freddie Mac bill sale: higher rates. weaker demand

NEW YORK, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Freddie Mac (FRE.P) (FRE.N) on Monday said it sold $2.0 billion of bills at higher rates than the most recent sales of the same maturities and sizes, while demand was weaker.

Freddie Mac said it sold $1.0 billion of three-month bills due Feb. 8, 2010 at a 0.080 percent rate, up from 0.066 percent for its $1.0 billion bills auctioned on Nov. 2.

It also sold $1.0 billion of six-month bills May 10, 2010 at a 0.178 percent rate, slightly higher from 0.170 percent for its $1.0 billion of six-month bills sold a week ago.

Demand for the three-month bills was weaker than last week, with a bid-to-cover ratio of 4.12 compared with 4.53 on Nov. 2, while demand was also weaker for the six-month bills at 3.90 versus 4.20 last week.

A bid-to-cover ratio reflects the amount of bids compared with the amount offered. A lower ratio indicates weaker demand.

Settlement for all bills is Nov. 10. (Reporting by Caryn Trokie; Editing by James Dalgleish)