What was a surprise in the IMF’s updated growth estimates was the correction made to the growth forecast for Spain this year (-0.1 pp to 2.4%) given “the impact of greater political uncertainty on confidence and demand.”
The new upward cycle in the property sector seems to be consolidating. Positive proof of that is the fact that housing prices have been increasing for the last two years.
Ebro Foods has announced the acquisition of 70% of Italian fresh pasta maker Bertagni (the current shareholders and management team will maintain the remaining 30%) for 130 million euros.
It seems we have a consensus: Europe is overbanked. Zombie banks need to be allowed to fail and the process of mergers needs to be strengthened, particularly cross-border. But the US model is more of an exception than the rule and there are countries, like Spain, where the consolidation could start to be excessive.
Spanish exports have seen solid growth over the past few years. Moreover the range of destinations has broadened and the products exported diversified. However, CaixaBank Research points that there is still one important issue to resolve: the complexity of exports.
US President Donald Trump’s alleged remarks questioning why the US should take in immigrants from what he apparently called “shithole countries” — those comprising Africa, along with Haiti and El Salvador — have been met with indignation around the world.
It is expected that some Chinese local government officials may still try to fight bureaucracy with bureaucracy. For instance, when inspectors come, the officials will list how many meetings they have held, how many documents they have released and how many reports they have written to the cause.
The year that has just started looks like one of those textbooks opportunities which appear by magic at the beginning of a new year. The banking sector has risen strongly, only beaten by Metals&Mining and Automotive. For Alphavalue’s experts this ranking suggests we are not facing a shift in fundamentals. All the protagonists in the banking sector are clearly confirming that it’s not just a case of rediscovering a handful of quality names.
Sacyr announced yesterday that it will pay a scrip dividend, so that shareholders can choose between a cash payment of €0,052 per share or receive one new share for every 48 currently available.
Despite bitcoin has plunged below $10,000, almost halving in value from its peak price near $20,000 in late December, it is undeniable that alternative currencies are gaining attention against fiat currencies. However, as reported by Flossbach von Storch they all lack one characteristic absolutely necessary for money to have value over the long term: its existence as a commodity that has intrinsic value or can be changed into one that does.