Both the Fed and the ECB remained gradual and predictable in their last week meetings as far as monetary policy is concerned. In opinion of Julius Baer, this prevented EUR/USD from taking a specific direction, “but monetary policy in the US and the eurozone are still diverging and justify a slightly stronger US dollar in the next month.”
Disney has recently announced that it will buy Fox’s film, television and international businesses in a deal worth $52.4 billion. The resulting new Fox will spin out its broadcast net work, sports cable nets, and news cable net. Being two of the biggest media and entertainment companies in the world their merger will create a sector giant capable of facing rivals such as Netflix or Amazon.
Repsol is doing very well at the moment. And in fact, it has been selected as the best exploration and production company in 2017 by Platts Global Energy Awards. During H1’18 Repsol will present its new 5-year strategic plan. The most interesting part will be the so-called “third leg”, describing the firm’s vision of the future.
The European company in the news today is the French defence and aerospace technology firm Thales. It has made a €4.760 billion bid for Gemalto, a Dutch company specialising in cybersecurity and digital payments.
In 2016, the electricity system registered a surplus of 421,45 million euros, according to the final figure for the year released by The National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC in Spanish).
Fitch has been the last agency to raise its rating on Portugal to investment grade last Friday. The previous increase from S&P in September already showed signs of the sick person being in very good health. Neighbouring Spain should also see an improvement in its credit quality and be included in the A tranche, at least by S&P and Fitch.
Nick Ottens via Atlantic Sentinel | This is a guide to the Catalan electoral system, the parties, their leaders and possible coalitions.
The ECB could first check how the market reacts to the actual halving of its purchases in January, and how the run-up to the Italian elections shape up, before changing its message.
The effective launch of the bids for Abertis will be delayed 2-3 months if the CNMV revokes authorisation for Atlantia’s offer and it has to seek prior government approval.
All the sectors in the Spanish economy should contribute to improving competitiveness and efficiency, at the same time as cutting their debt. The Spanish banks are doing just that.