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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.
brexit machinery 1

In Europe 3rd September 2019

Brexit: the Spartans won in the end

Gilles Moëc, chief economist at Axa Group | Our key assumption is that Boris Johnson wants a deal, just a different one. That is in itself complex, but not yet impossible to achieve and get passed. If he is reconciled with the possibility of no deal, then the outlook is much grimmer. At this stage we want to believe that rhetorics should not be taken at face value. It is a close call.  It has been our long-standing view that any resolution on Brexit is likely to entail elections – with the uncertainty it entails. We think the latest events have raised this probability.

 

madrid rental market

Spanish economy 2nd September 2019

Office rents in Madrid are yet to reach previous peak levels

The capital of Spain is one of the most cyclical markets in Europe and rents are still far from the previous peaks. According to Morgan Stanley, there is more upward potential in values ​​with exposure to offices in Madrid. Besides, Spain is expected to grow above the European average.

Britain Brexit

In Europe, Markets 2nd September 2019

Brexit: Definitely, Maybe

Chris Iggo (Axa IM) | Suddenly the Brexit stakes have been raised. Prime Minister Johnson has made a call that convincing the world that he is prepared to leave the EU without a deal and that he is prepared to take risks with democratic and parliamentary convention are worth it if it results in the UK and the EU reaching a compromise withdrawal agreement before October 31st. It is a gamble and the tactics are being challenged by both political and public responses. Yet an alternative course of action is hard to see given the lack of credible anti-no-deal strategies so far. If Johnson’s bet pays off, the UK leaves the EU with a deal, sterling rallies, and confidence to the economic outlook can return. If not, economic and political chaos will continue and probably worsen. I said I would adhere to “Sober September” – that might prove to be very challenging!

 

German stock market

In Europe 1st September 2019

Fishing in the choppy waters of the German stock market

Alexander Lippert (MainFirst) | The indirect effects of the current uncertainty caused by the US-China trade war are slowly extending to all levels of the German economy, which is beginning to be felt in the deterioration in growth, weak PMIs and the repercussions in export industries. It is also being felt in the German stock market.

enagas increase holding in Tallgrass

Ibex 31st August 2019

Enagas wants to increase its holding in Tallgrass to 25%

Sabadell | Blackstone Infrastructure Partners (29% Enagas) has launched a non-binding offer to increase its holding in the US Tallgrass from 44% to 100%, which would mean that Enagas would go from 12.5% to 25% indirect if it decides to participate, which has still not been decided.

France

World economy 29th August 2019

Despite fiscal reforms, France´s 2019 deficit will rise again to 3.1% of GDP

Scope Ratings | France has been host of the G7. While its neighbour debates foreign policy, Emmanuel Macron continues to pursue his fiscal reforms, without losing sight of the size of France´s budget deficit (rising towards 3.1% of GDP this year and exceeding the target for 2020) which has caused concerns about the sustainability of the country´s debt.

PoundsTC

In Europe 28th August 2019

Pound sterling is a key barometer of Brexit uncertainty

Ann-Katrin Petersen, investment strategist at Allianz Global Investor | The more uncertain the UK political environment, the weaker the GBP, and vice versa. A structural appreciation of GBP, which we deem to be undervalued, necessitates more clarity and a benign decision in the Brexit discussion.