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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.
No Picture

In Europe 23rd May 2014

EU elections: Sexist remark ruins Spain prospects

MADRID | By J.P. Marín Arrese | The Spanish centre-right leading candidate for the European Parliament has been the center of a sexist row for the last week. And his biggest mistake might be that he only acknowledged the devastating blunder his last remark meant (he said he was worried about ‘cornering a defenseless woman’ in the debate against his socialist rival Elena Valenciano) when socialist MEPs denounced his attitude as utterly inappropriate.  His apologies come too late. Mr Arias Cañete is bound to suffer widespread criticism during the hearing process for appointing the next Commission. 

No Picture

World economy 23rd May 2014

Banks likely to outperform as Capex drives loan growth

LONDON | By Barclays analysts | We believe that one of the reasons why loan growth has been so anaemic thus far in the recovery is because the recovery in capital spending has been very poor. However, an improving outlook for Capex could see loan demand pick-up and be supportive of future earnings growth for the domestic banking sector.

No Picture

In Europe 21st May 2014

Preparing for the ECB’s June action(s)

LONDON | By Barclays analysts | The latest disappointing inflation and growth data have reinforced market expectations of ECB action(s) in June. The significant rally of short rates seems consistent with expectations of a policy rates cut, as well as a chance of additional liquidity injections. At this stage, we see limited room for a further rally and suggest paying tactically 1y Eonia.

Luis Solana

Interviews 20th May 2014

Luis Solana: “Finance and energy sectors need to be closely monitored” (I)

MADRID | By Fernando Barciela | As the election day approaches, we bring you a series of special interviews focused on economic perspectives for the EU citizens and companies. Today we focus on the telecom sector, which is experiencing a deep transformation in the continent. Former chairman of Spanish Telefonica Luis Solana, currently responsible for the company’s entrepreneurship activities, comments on the main challenges ahead, as well as the need of surveillancance over the EU banking and energy sectors, and the inevitable downsizing of the welfare state in the region. Nonetheless, he was a socialist elected MP in Spain for five years during the transition period.

Europe's immigration

In Europe 20th May 2014

Norwegian Immigration and Europe’s Swiss Dilemma

At first glance, Norway and Switzerland seem to have much in common. Both are prosperous alpine nations with relatively small populations (5.1 million and 8 million), while they also have some of the lowest unemployment levels in Europe (3.6% and 3.5%). In fact, both nations are enjoying tremendous success amid turbulent economic times. Norway , however, will not seek to emulate Switzerland’s policy on immigration quotas.

 

germany's market-focused?

In Europe 19th May 2014

Is Germany the euro’s owner?

MADRID | By Miguel Navascués | Nobody questions Germany’s big efforts in the EZ, but Spain accumulates an external debt of 100% of GDP as Germany accumulates capital abroad amounting for 100% of its. When a country does not cease to make external surpluses, it generates parallel deficits in others. These gaps are corrected by means of a rate exchange appreciation- depreciation or by reinvesting the surplus in the countries in deficit. Neither of which is happening today.

inflation rate ez

Markets 19th May 2014

Market chatter: Weidmann says ECB must closely watch euro

MADRID | By Jaime Santisteban | The most critical voice about the ECB’s doing something about the euro zone’s persistent low inflation, Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann, said on Monday that the ECB will watch the euro’s exchange rate closely before taking policy decisions. Also, AstraZeneca turned down the allegedly “last” bid offer from Pfizer, worth €8bn.

No Picture

World economy 19th May 2014

Yet another delay in the long-awaited global growth acceleration

LONDON | By Barclays analysts | 2014 was supposed to be different. After three years of disappointment, this was meant to be the year when the global economy had a broader, higher and more persistently solid level of growth – at least, this was the consensus narrative. In the end, the seasonally adjusted quarterly rate of global growth in Q1 was among the weakest of the recovery. US growth was near zero (probably negative after revisions) and China’s GDP growth was below already low forecasts.

montebourg

In Europe 16th May 2014

France: the end of the laissez-faire

MADRID | The Corner | Remember when back in 2005, politicians in Paris stood up in arms amid rumours of Pepsi trying to bid for Danone? That operation never saw the light but from now France’s government will have more power to block foreign takeovers in strategic industries such as energy, transport and telecom. It’s a “necessary rearmement for the Government,” argues Economy and Industry minister Arnaud Montebourg, who stopped the Dailymotion acquisition and recently appeared in a national magazine wearing the iconic marinière T-shirt, a French brand watch and holding a Moulinex mixer. Economic patriotism that might be useful before the EU elections but can also hurt a state in need of foreign investment.