Business News & Financial News

In Spain 21st May 2026

First repercussions of Zapatero case: lawsuit filed against entire cabinet over Plus Ultra bailout

Last Tuesday, it was revealed that former Socialist Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is under formal investigation (imputación) by a National Court judge, who accuses him of four offenses, most notably “criminal organization” and “influence peddling.” Zapatero allegedly acted, among other roles, as the “fixer” (conseguidor) used by a minuscule airline with interests in Venezuela—Plus Ultra—to secure a €53 million bailout loan during COVID-19 from the Spanish State via…

European economy, In Europe 19th May 2026

Eurozone trade surplus plummets to €7.8 billion in March

Reported by the Consejeros Editorial Team The Eurozone’s goods trade balance recorded a surplus of €7.8 billion in March, compared with €34.1 billion in the same month last year, according to data published on Tuesday by Eurostat. Eurozone exports of goods to the rest of the world reached €265.3 billion in March, representing a 5.5% fall compared with the same month in 2025. Meanwhile, imports rose by 4.4% to €257.4…

In the World, Markets 21st May 2026

Fed leaves door open to interest rate hike if inflation remains persistently above 2% target

Report by Renta 4 European markets opened without significant movement (Eurostoxx futures down 0.2%, S&P futures down 0.1%, Nasdaq futures down 0.2%), reflecting yesterday’s results from Nvidia following the US market close, which saw a slight decline (down 0.5% in after-hours trading), despite beating consensus estimates (EPS $1.87 versus $1.76 estimated and 2Q26 guidance $91,000 million versus $86,790 million estimated). The Kospi is up 8.2% in today’s session, driven by…

“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