Business News & Financial News

In Spain, Spanish economy 18th May 2026

PP win 53 seats, almost doubling PSOE’s 28, in Andalusian elections

Yesterday, 64.8% of the 6.8 million Andalusians called to the polls cast their votes, and the victory of the People’s Party (Partido Popular) was incontestable. Securing 1.7 million votes (41.6%) and 53 seats, it ensures that Juanma Moreno, the leader of the Andalusian PP, will remain in the San Telmo Palace for another 4 years. However, their indisputable victory carries a bittersweet undertone, as they dropped 5 seats, meaning they…

In Europe 13th May 2026

Record share buybacks in Europe, totalling $80 billion so far this year

So far this year, European companies have bought back shares worth $80 billion, the highest figure to date, with half of this concentrated in just 20 companies. In March alone, a monthly record of €30 billion was reached, and it is expected that over the next three months, 3% of the free float will be bought back. Analysis by Morgan Stanley The volume of share buybacks so far this year…

In the World, World economy 18th May 2026

Investment and trade announcements made at Trump-Xi Jinping summit mask tactical truce, not lasting reconciliation

By Alicia García Herrero The images of the meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Beijing tell a story: two leaders surrounded by business delegations, flanked by CEOs, toasting the promise of renewed trade relations. Public reports of the talks refer to the creation of new trade bodies and regulatory frameworks for investment, rumours that US financial firms have finally managed to break into the Chinese market and that…

“We are one of Europe’s leading R&D investors: €1.45 billion last year”

Luis Maroto is the CEO of Amadeus, which has just announced the acquisition of Idemia Public Security—for €1.2 billion—to strengthen its biometrics, security, and airport management business. Maroto explains that “alongside biometrics, digital identity is transforming how travelers move throughout their journey. Today, travelers are asked to prove their identity at almost every step: flight check-in, baggage drop, security, immigration, boarding, car rentals, hotel check-in… With digital identity, a traveller…

“We need to approach negotiations with the U.S. on terms that are completely different from those currently being proposed”

“Fifteen years ago, the European economy was larger than that of the U.S. Today, the U.S. economy is one and a half times that of Europe”

Irene Hernández, coordinating advisor of Ence, and advisor of Elecnor and Saint Croix explains that “In Spain and in the European Union, there are times when we are regulating too much and putting brakes on economic growth… fifteen years ago, the European economy was larger than that of the U.S. Today, the U.S. economy is one and a half times that of Europe. We are not in a position to…

…in the last week