Fernando González Urbaneja | “GDP and employment are increasing, the external balance is improving… while productivity, per capita income, and convergence with the EU stagnate”. The Spanish economy shows ambivalent signs that, depending on the data and periods chosen, serve a multitude of purposes. The government chooses the best of the repertoire to conclude that the economy is the electoral weapon to win support; in fact, the new economy minister…
Alphavalue/ Divacons| The Cantabrian bank has reached an agreement with BlackRock to finance infrastructures at an international level for a value of $600 million, one of the US fund manager’s main sources of growth in the short term. This is the first joint operation in this segment between the two entities, which are already partners in some areas within the asset management world. This is the latest example of a…
According to figures released yesterday by the General Council of Notaries, the number of home sales and purchases in Spain rose by 10.3% year-on-year in February, to 53,142 units. The average price per square metre of homes sold stood at €1,649 m2, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.5%. By type of housing, sales of flats rose by 12% year-on-year in February to 41,474 units, while sales of single-family homes increased…
Alphavalue/DIVACONS Leading US banks are assessing investor interest in Puig’s IPO. The company is seeking a valuation of between €10 billion and €12 billion, with the aim of raising €1.25 billion in an initial public offering for subscription and a similar amount in an initial public offering for sale. The National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) is expected to approve the IPO prospectus next week, which will kick off the road…
Caixabank Research| The tourism sector has had a strong start to 2024. International arrivals in February were 15.9% above the same month of 2019, while international tourist expenditure attained a level 26.7% above that of February 2019. Demand for tourism services is holding up despite the strong increase in tourism related prices: CPI hotel prices in February increased by 9.0% year-on-year, attaining a level 32.2% above the same month of…
Link Securities| The mining company will open a multi-million dollar arbitration against Spain in the ICSID over the government’s veto of the Salamanca uranium mine. The company is taking a further step in its offensive after requesting, in November 2023, by letter to the Government, a negotiation for the Retortillo project that the Executive rejected in 2021, as reported yesterday by the newspaper ElMundo.es. This letter, in fact, constituted a…
Intermoney| Merlin Properties (MRL) (Buy, Target Price €12/share) has contracted with two US investment banks for a capital increase of up to €1 billion, which it expects to be completed before the end of this year, according to Cinco Días. The REIT expects the funds to be used for the start-up of data centres, its current main avenue for growth. Merlin expects a large part of the capital increase to…
Chery will become the first Chinese carmaker to manufacture cars in Spain. It plans to manufacture both combustion and electric vehicles in Spain, as well as those with some form of hybridisation. The Asian carmaker has just signed an agreement with EV Motors, which is seeking to reindustrialise the former Nissan Barcelona, for Chery to manufacture vehicles entirely in the Zona Franca of Barcelona and thus occupy the site left…
Santander Research| Moody’s has upgraded Enagás’ rating outlook (Baa2 e, BBB e, BBB e) from negative to stable. The decision is based on Enagás’ strategic update, which outlines measures to strengthen its balance sheet by 2027. Enagás reduced its dividend pay-out from €1.74/share to €1.00/share for 2024-26, and cut planned investments for the period by €300m. Moody’s expects the additional cash flow generated by the company to be used to…
The Congress yesterday supported the consideration of the Popular Legislative Initiative (ILP) for the extraordinary regularisation of the 500,000 migrants who, according to the promoters’ calculations, live in Spain without papers and without some basic rights. The initiative was backed by more than 600,000 signatures and 900 civil society organisations. The proposal received 310 votes in favour and only 33 against, those of the Vox parliamentary group. Each with their…