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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.
Spanish banks mergers

Spanish economy 28th September 2020

Spanish Bank M&A: Reaching The Next Level Of Efficiency Gains

Spanish banks have made drastic efforts since the financial crisis to improve efficiency. They were among the most active in Europe to adjust their branch networks. But while the number of branches has reduced in many countries, the workforce has not always followed the same pace of adjustment. For analysts at Scope Ratings, there is still room for efficiency gains, particularly as digitisation continues. “Transition in Spain can only accelerate, leaving room for consolidation”, they say.

US racial gap

In the World, World economy 27th September 2020

The Economic Costs Of US Racial Inequality

The coronavirus pandemic and the deaths of several black people while in police custody have laid bare the US longstanding problem of discrimination against minority groups, especially against Black people, and how inequality has produced real economic costs and social losses. The gaps are wider now than in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Citi’s Global economists Dana M Peterson and Catherine L. Mann identifiy in the following report the underlying causes of this racial and economic gaps.

Repsol reinforces its exploration position in Alaska with 12 blocks

In the World, World economy 26th September 2020

It’s Time For US States That Grew Rich From Oil, Gas And Coal To Figure Out What’s Next

Bradley Handler, Matt Henry and Morgan Bazilian via The Conversation | These are very challenging times for U.S. fossil fuel-producing states, such as Wyoming, Alaska and North Dakota. The COVID-19 economic downturn has reduced energy demand, with uncertain prospects for the extent of its recovery. Meanwhile, rising concern about climate change and the declining cost of renewable energy are precipitating a sharp decline in demand for coal in particular.

Cryptocurrencies turn ten years; 2019 could be the year of tokenization

In the World, World economy 25th September 2020

Crypto Corner: Stablecoin Assets Pass $20Bn Mark

The total value of stablecoins has surpassed $20 billion for the first time, as investors move to hedge their risks in both cryptoassets and traditional markets. Coindesk, quoting data from Coin Metrics, show that the total value of assets for all stablecoins breached the $20 billion mark yesterday, just four months after breaking a $10-billion record in May.

covid19 dilemma

European politics 25th September 2020

Europe’s second wave

Europe’s virus resurgence weighs on growth momentum: a sharp rise in virus cases has dampened European growth momentum, with the Euro area composite PMI new orders declining from a peak of 53 in July to 50 in September, following the sharp rebound from a trough of 14 in April. Weaker domestic growth momentum, in combination with uncertainty on US fiscal stimulus and rising real bond yields, has led the Stoxx 600 to decline by 5% over the past week to a two-month low of 355.

Hydrogen Spain

Spanish economy 25th September 2020

Spain Bets On The Renewable Hydrogen And Aims To Become a Exporter To The EU

Spain does not want to be left behind in the area of renewable hydrogen, currently the most efficient technological solution for storing and transporting energy. The  government has already launched a consultation of its ‘Hydrogen Roadmap’. The draft includes 57 measures to prepare the regulatory framework and sets targets for 2030 such as reaching an installed capacity of 4 GW, which represents 10% of the target set by the European Commission for the whole of the EU.

wages

In the World, World economy 25th September 2020

Wage Income Cut By $3.5 Tr Globally In Q1’19, 5.5% Of World GDP

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), wage income in the world has fallen by 10.7% in the first nine months of 2020, equivalent to $3.5 trillion or 5.5% of global GDP in the first three quarters of 2019. From the perspective of income, the positive side is that the figures do not take into account government subsidies which have provided a key safety net for families’ vital consumption.

Crytocurrencies turn ten years; 2019 could be the year of tokenization

Relevant News Item 24th September 2020

Crypto Corner: $2 Billion Of Cryptoasset Options Set To Expire Friday

Analysts have warned cryptoassets such as bitcoin and ethereum could be in for a bout of volatility come Friday when nearly $2 billion-worth of options contracts expire, according to Forbes. The data, provided by Skew, suggests the level of options contracts has tripled in the past three months to $1.9 billion in total. Around $1 billion of this is focused on bitcoin alone, with many contracts set between $11,000 and $12,000, higher than bitcoin’s current dollar prices.

RSunak

European economy 24th September 2020

UK Chancellor Sunak Announced Additional Stimulus

UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak today delivered a series of new measures and extensions to existing supports to help the UK economy through the winter months following the re-emergence of the coronavirus and re-imposition of wider restrictions on activity.

midterm elections

World economy 24th September 2020

Three Policy Differences For Investors To Watch In The US Presidential Race

Donald Trump and Joe Biden have pronounced policy differences on corporate taxes, energy and US-China trade, but generally similar views around drug pricing, large-cap tech firms and infrastructure investment. As the US presidential election draws closer, the race is tightening between both candidates. While much is at stake in this election cycle, the three policy areas noted above could have a large impact on the markets and portfolio allocations, warns Allianz GI.