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Articles by The Corner

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The Corner
The Corner has a team of on-the-ground reporters in capital cities ranging from New York to Beijing. Their stories are edited by the teams at the Spanish magazine Consejeros (for members of companies’ boards of directors) and at the stock market news site Consenso Del Mercado (market consensus). They have worked in economics and communication for over 25 years.
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Markets 23rd April 2014

If only Citi was right and QE came…

MADRID | By The Corner | When Autumn comes, so will QE. At least that’s what economists at Citigroup are predicting. “We believe that the chances of unsterilized large-scale asset purchases (LSAPs) of public and private assets being launched this year have (…) increased to more than 50:50,” they said in a note on Tuesday. How much of a stimulus shot are we talking about? To have any effect it should be of at least 1,000 billion euros ($1,381 billion), they note, which would lift the inflation rate toward the ECB’s “below, but close to 2% target”.  It could always be a decaffeinated step as some market makers are warning, but the truth is many on both sides of the Atlantic are hoping for Mr Draghi to make a move.

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Markets 23rd April 2014

Bankinter results cause mixed feelings; Moody’s points to a sexier Spain

MADRID | By Jaime Santisteban | Bankinter, the Spanish bank with highest credit rating announced results under expectations, according to Santander. Analysts look optimistic on Spanish equities profitability and expect a 15% growth in Ibex 35. Spain walks on a firm and positive trend, points out Moody’s.

 

car market

In Europe 22nd April 2014

Spain thrives in EU car market rebound

MADRID | By The Corner | A good gauge to measure EU consumer’s confidence, the regional car industry points to its recovery. Car sales increased by 8.4% in 1Q14 to 3.24 million of vehicles, while number plate registrations grew by double digits 10.6% in March to 1.44 million.

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Spanish economy 22nd April 2014

Bad debt in Spain decreased by €2bn after 3 years rising

MADRID | By The Corner | NPLs in Spain’s banking sector fell by 9 basis points to 13.6% in February. This means just a slight contraction, but it’s still the first drop in terms of standardization since the crisis began. Indeed, the rate has not been affected this time by the transferral of real assets to the bad bank Sareb of 2012 and 2013 or the methodology changes fixed in at the beginning of present year.

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Markets 21st April 2014

Today’s market chatter in Spain

MADRID | By Jaime Santisteban | As European stock markets remain closed today for Easter Monday, attention is focused on Wall Street. Both Europe and the U.S. face a  week full of corporate results. Today, Hasbro, Halliburton and Netflix report for 1Q.

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Markets 16th April 2014

Today’s market chatter in Spain

MADRID | By Jaime Santisteban | Market makers are highlighting the enhanced capital flux in the Eurozone prompted by the QE prospects while Germany Zew Index displayed a slight drop in the business confidence in April. Besides, analysts agree that China’s economic slowdown and Ukraine are going to determine the market mood.

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Markets 15th April 2014

Market chatter: down the road to a banking union and much more

MADRID | By Jaime Santisteban | In a crucial day for the long-awaited banking union in Europe, market makers also chattered about many other issues, like the Bank of Spain -which has denied it plans to subject Spanish lenders to stress tests this month- achieving less tough criteria for Spanish banks in the upcoming EU stress tests.

Gentlemen

World economy 15th April 2014

China: Why ‘gentleman’ matters

BEIJING | By Will Spence via Caixin | The English Gentleman may be one of our country’s most enduring national symbols, but it is still a somewhat controversial topic back home. In China, however, the concept has flourished in a wholly positive way. The Chinese government often says it wants to build up its soft power, but for this to happen it may have to embrace its heritage and adopt a gentler approach.