The UK Supreme Court dismissed on Tuesday the government’s argument that May could simply alone to invoke Article 50 to begin two years of divorce talks. Considering conservative majority in Parliament that passing a bill should not force PM to reconsider her “hard brexit” plans. Dissenting MPs can successfully amend the bill to increase scrutiny over negotiations.
Banco Santander posted net profit of 6.204 billion euros en 2016, up 4% from a year earlier and its best results since 2010, supported by a decline in provisions. The bank attributed these results to the “strong” growth in commission revenues and improved credit quality. These factors were contrasted by some currencies’ weakness against the euro and increases in taxes in Poland and the UK.
Jens Bastian via Macropolis | As various countries in the European Union prepare for watershed elections in the course of 2017, analysts at www.macropolis.gr will be discussing the implications of these elections and the issues most likely to impact the electoral agendas. We start off with a look at Germany and its strong bilateral (economic) ties with Russia.
Emerging Markets capital inflows are slowing down only modestly, offering some protection in case of large outflows. Capital inflows to EMs are expected to slow down in 2017, although Manolis Davradakis at AXA IM does not believe they would fall off a cliff as in 2013-2015.
José Luis M. Campuzano (Spanish Banking Association) | “The only thing which is predictable is total unpredictability.” I don’t know who invented this phrase but I believe it is a very good summary of everything we have heard in Davos: wait and see what happens, whatever it is. That doesn’t mean the sentiment of the Agenda has been negative.
Fernando Rodríguez | Next Banco Popular’s chairman Emilio Saracho is scheduled by end-February. People are waiting to see what his initiatives will be. Saracho is a deacon of coporate banking in Spain. Much is expected from him.
Fernando Rodríguez | The outlook for economic growth in Spain continues to be good and domestic small and midcap stocks should reflect this. Above all, the cyclicals – particularly industrials – and consumer stocks. Barón de Ley, Miquel y Costas, Cie Automotive, CAF and Fluidra are some of the top stock picks.
On November 8, 2016, Modi declared that Rs500 ($7.30) and Rs1,000 notes were no longer legal tender. He hailed demonetization as an iconic move to nip forfeit currency and corruption in the bud. Has Narendra Modi succeeded in removing black money from the economy or has he brought India to its knees?
Nick Malkoutzis via Macropolis | One of the things that makes children laugh at Tom and Jerry cartoons is the ingenious ways that Jerry finds to set Tom up. But the real punchline, and the most laughter, is generated by Tom’s inexplicable ability to fall for Jerry’s stunts all the time.
Since Donald Trump’s victory in the US elections, the markets have seen declines in fixed income securities – bonds have lost 1.5 billion dollars – and rises in equities – with the value of global equities rising by 1.7 billion dollars. The emerging markets have retreated, while there has been an improved performance from cyclical sectors, particularly the financial sector. So we need to ask what will be the best bets for investors once Trump’s presidency begins.