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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.
Sabadell sells toxic assets

Spanish economy 4th October 2024

“We do think Sabadell shareholders value having part of the proposed compensation paid in cash, as protection in the face of potential volatility in BBVA’s share price”

Jefferies | BBVA’s Adjusted Offer to Sabadell: Cash Component Was a Given. The adjusted offer made by BBVA to SAB, including the newly added cash component, comes as no surprise, as it is well in line with the adjustment terms described in the initial offer. We note a delay in the timeline of the deal would mechanically increase the cash proportion of the offer, which would have to reflect all…

bbva sabadell

In Spain 4th October 2024

Banco Sabadell claims that BBVA has worsened the conditions of its takeover bid after making adjustments to the share exchange

On Tuesday, October 1, BBVA announced a change in the share exchange it was offering for Sabadell in the takeover bid it has proposed to acquire the Catalan entity: it changed from offering one new BBVA share for 4.83 Sabadell shares to offering one share of the bank for 5.0196 shares of the Catalan bank and a cash payment of 0.29 euros per share. According to BBVA, this change aligns…

merlin 1 750x416 1 1

Relevant News Item 4th October 2024

Moody’s upgrades Merlin Properties’ rating to ‘Baa1’ from ‘Baa2’ on continued rental growth

Link Securities | Credit rating agency Moody’s has upgraded Merlin Properties’ long-term issuer rating to “Baa1” from “Baa2”, the digital portal Bolsamania.com reported yesterday. In addition, the outlook has been changed from “positive” to “stable”. This upgrade, as they point out, reflects good operating performance driven by continued rental growth, sustainably lower leverage and long-term benefits from an improving business profile that is shifting towards favourable asset classes with a…

pmi sector manufacturero marzo

Spanish economy 4th October 2024

Spain shows muscle in eurozone and within periphery: only country where manufacturing demand shows no clear signs of weakness

While manufacturing PMIs slump to 45pt (48.8p) in the EZ, with Germany at 42.4 and France at 43.9, Spain unexpectedly rebounds to May highs: up to 53 (50.5 in August). Italy starts to feel the German cold given its industrial links and falls back (48.3, 49.4p). Time will tell how much European slippage the Spanish economy can withstand but for the time being, this geography, and beta (tier 2 names),…

telefonica letrero entrada 1024x648 1

In Spain 3rd October 2024

Telefónica and Inveready compete to purchase Avatel for around €700 million

The sale of Avatel, a key operator in medium-sized towns, is moving forward with fewer candidates on the table. The entry of a majority partner in the company, which originated on the Costa del Sol, is currently being decided between Telefónica and the Spanish management firm Inveready. The number of contenders has decreased following the withdrawal of three international funds that were invited to participate in the process: PAI Partners,…

naturgy

Relevant News Item 3rd October 2024

Australian fund IFM reaches 16.023% in Naturgy capital, consolidates position as largest shareholder

Bankinter : In January of this year, its stake was 15%. In the last nine months it has acquired an additional 1% of the capital. IFM consolidates its position as the fourth largest shareholder in Naturgy, after La Caixa, which through Criteria holds 26.7%; CVC which, in its latest communication in June, states that it holds 20.715%; and GIP, with just over 20%. Part of the shares held by CVC…

employment office

In Spain 3rd October 2024

Number of unemployed rises by 3,170 in September, below historical average

Bankinter : The number of unemployed increased by 3,170 people in September (after going up 21,884 in August and with 12,000 expected). The number of unemployed now stands at 2.58M (up 0.1% month-on-month and down 5.4% year-on-year). Seasonally adjusted Social Security enrolled increased to 21.2m (22,220 workers, up 0.1% month-on-month and 2.3% year-on-year). Opinion of Bankinter’s analysis team: The number of unemployed increased below expectations in September, and below its…

Francia economia

In Europe 2nd October 2024

France to present fiscal consolidation plan of €15-18 billion and postpone reaching 3% deficit targets until 2029

Norbolsa | Leaks continue about the possible fiscal plan to be presented by Prime Minister Barnier. According to Le Parisien, next week he will present a €15-18 billion fiscal consolidation plan, while announcing a two-year delay until 2029 to reach the 3% deficit targets. These plans include extraordinary taxes for high incomes with which it hopes to raise €3 billion, and a further €8 billion to be raised from extra…

ACS novisimo

Relevant News Item 2nd October 2024

Dragados (ACS), selected for design and construction of new passenger tunnels at Elephant & Castle Underground Station

Link Securities | ACS (ACS), through its subsidiary Dragados, has increased its presence in Transport for London projects, according to Expansión newspaper. Transport for London (TfL) has selected the Spanish group’s proposal for the design and construction of new passenger tunnels at Elephant & Castle Underground station. The project involves the excavation of around 135 metres of pedestrian tunnels linking the new station with the platforms and the existing bridge….

bancos 4grandes

In Spain, Spanish economy 2nd October 2024

Bank of Spain sets up countercyclical capital buffer to strengthen solvency, shareholder remuneration policy not affected

Bankinter : The Bank of Spain (BdE) is to establish a countercyclical capital buffer (CCB) to strengthen the solvency of the sector. The CCB will be 0.5% of Risk Weighted Assets (RWAs) from 4Q 2024 and may reach 1.0% in 4Q 2025 (standard level for systemic risks). Bankinter’s research team’s opinion: Increasing capital requirements is not good news for the sector, but the impact is limited because: (1) The BdE…