MADRID | By Jaime Santisteban | Caixabank’s net profit dropped by 54.6% to €152M in the first quarter. Analysts highlight the positive impact of integrating Banco de Valencia and Banca Cívica. Spain’s third biggest bank by market value improved its margins and reduced its NPL rate for the first time since the crisis started.
MADRID | By Julia Pastor | As the ECB’s crucial examination comes closer, all European entities, from the core to the periphery, have started studying different formulas to show the best capital ratios possible. German banks would imminently issue CoCos, while Italy’s could be about to create a joint bad bank and Spain is to monetize around €40 bn of deferred tax assets. The stress tests’ results will be released at the end of October 2014.
MADRID | By Ana Fuentes | ECB policy makers are increasingly open about an eventual QE. Executive Board Member Benoît Coeuré was recently interviewed by French newspaper Le Monde. He weighed in austerity measures taken, and how could the ECB influence the level of the euro. As the central bank seems to be actually leaning towards unconventional measures, bonds and equity markets have already anticipated any announcements by Mario Draghi. But some fear what would happen if it was only lip service. What happened with the “whatever it takes” to preserve the eurozone’s integrity?
MADRID | By The Corner | When Autumn comes, so will QE. At least that’s what economists at Citigroup are predicting. “We believe that the chances of unsterilized large-scale asset purchases (LSAPs) of public and private assets being launched this year have (…) increased to more than 50:50,” they said in a note on Tuesday. How much of a stimulus shot are we talking about? To have any effect it should be of at least 1,000 billion euros ($1,381 billion), they note, which would lift the inflation rate toward the ECB’s “below, but close to 2% target”. It could always be a decaffeinated step as some market makers are warning, but the truth is many on both sides of the Atlantic are hoping for Mr Draghi to make a move.
MADRID | By Jaime Santisteban | Bankinter, the Spanish bank with highest credit rating announced results under expectations, according to Santander. Analysts look optimistic on Spanish equities profitability and expect a 15% growth in Ibex 35. Spain walks on a firm and positive trend, points out Moody’s.
MADRID | By Luis Arroyo | Something is wrong in the “kingdom of the Euro;” it’s just incomprehensible. The ECB is unable to keep the financial and monetary markets alive, which is a huge failure in view of the forthcoming European elections. The following charts show that the euro holds on just because we are asleep.
MADRID | By Jaime Santisteban | European markets are happily back from Easter as Wall Street enjoys its highest gains in 6 months. Spanish Ibex 35 keeps last week’s positive mood. Risk premium drops to 155 basis points. Spanish Treasury will sell up to 3 billion euros in 3-month and 9-month bills today.
MADRID | By J.P. Marín Arrese | The ECB is frantically submitting to scrutiny up to 60% of risk-weighted assets from the 128 biggest banks in Europe. This step stands as its last chance to avoid inheriting former shortcomings and mismatches. When it takes over responsibility for supervision later on this year, it will be blamed for any financial blunder. No wonder it wants to ensure that no nasty surprise lies ahead.
MADRID | By Jaime Santisteban | As European stock markets remain closed today for Easter Monday, attention is focused on Wall Street. Both Europe and the U.S. face a week full of corporate results. Today, Hasbro, Halliburton and Netflix report for 1Q.
MADRID | By Jaime Santisteban | Market makers are highlighting the enhanced capital flux in the Eurozone prompted by the QE prospects while Germany Zew Index displayed a slight drop in the business confidence in April. Besides, analysts agree that China’s economic slowdown and Ukraine are going to determine the market mood.