MADRID | March 27, 2015 | By Francisco López | The Spanish economy is currently growing at cruising speed and looks set to remain at its current altitude in the medium term, with the possibility that growth could exceed 3% this year.
The Corner | March 27, 2015 | The sale by Telefónica of O2 UK will allow the company to focus attention on its growing operation in Germany. Telefonica will now go toe-to-toe with Vodafone and Deutsche Telecom, as the three mobile giants vie for supremacy in the eurozone’s largest economy.
The Corner | March 27, 2015 | Data from Europe has shown that the cost of imports have risen for the eurozone’s largest economy, Germany, spelling good news for the country’s partners within the currency union. In the US, data released today will be poured over by Fed chairwoman, Janet Yellen, at a press briefing scheduled for later this evening.
The Corner | March 26, 2015 | A substantial increase in lending to consumers in 2014 has reinforced the sense that conditions are improving in the area of consumer confidence and banking. In addition, a decline in the rate of bad loans offers further indication of stabilisation in the Spanish credit market.
The Corner | March 26, 2015 | The German economy is leading the way in yet more positive news for the eurozone, as consumer confidence reaches its highest level for 14 years. In Spain, business confidence is at it’s highest level for eight years, while concern about weak GDP figures in France may be offset by a recent improvement in consumption and exports.
The Corner | March 25, 2015 | By launching its quantitative easing measures, the ECB strongly responded to deflationary pressures in the eurozone. But the combination of policies in the euro area is still incomplete, since fiscal/budget measures are still to be taken, analysts at Pictet commented.
LONDON | By Apolline Menut via Barclays | Euro area “flash” composite PMIs came in stronger than expected, almost reaching a four-year high at 54.1 (+0.8 points). The rise was primarily driven by a surge in manufacturing output (+1.4 points to 53.5), while confidence continued to improve in the services sector (+0.6 points to 54.3).
The Corner | March 25, 2015 | EU data appears to show that the currency bloc is finally on the way to recovery. Figures from Spain today are likely to confirm the country’s improvement, but concerns remain about the predicament of the Greek economy.
The Corner | March 24, 2015 | Tragic events in the French Alps, as all 150 people on board Germanwings Flight 4U 9525 are feared dead.
MADRID | March 24, 2015 | By Fernando G. Urbaneja | The Andalusia election results have offered some solace to the ruling socialist party, but the arrival of upstarts Podemos and Ciudadanos as political forces delivers a strong message to Spain’s traditional parties.