macroeconomy

In the World 18th November 2025

Current component of NY manufacturing index improves to 18.7 against 10.7 previously

Bankinter | The Empire Manufacturing or New York Fed Manufacturing Activity Index (November) shows a mixed reading, although in expansion territory (>0). The current component improved unexpectedly to 18.7 against 5.8 expected and 10.7 previously, while the six-month outlook worsened to 19.1 against 30.3 previously. Analysis team’s view: This indicator, which surveys 200 executives in the manufacturing sector in New York State, shows less optimism about the economy’s performance, although…

In Europe 26th March 2025

Car sales in Europe fall 3.1% to 963,540 units year-on-year in February, but rise 11% in Spain

Alphavalue / Divacons | In February 2025, passenger car registrations in Europe fell by 3.1% year-on-year to 963,540 units, with declines in all major markets except Spain, where they grew by 11%. Compared to pre-pandemic levels (February 2019), sales are still 16% lower. In terms of technologies, pure electric vehicles (BEVs) grew by 26% year-on-year to reach a market share of 17.1%. Hybrids were the most popular option (with a…

In Spain 17th March 2025

S&P maintains Spain’s rating at A with Stable outlook and France’s at AA-

Bankinter | S&P maintained Spain’s rating at A with a long-term Stable outlook. The agency considers Spain to be one of the fastest growing OECD economies (projecting around +2% over the next four years). The maintenance of the stable outlook was based on the fact that it considers the risks to be balanced over the next two years. Despite this, the rating agency pointed out that public debt and unemployment…

European economy, European politics 4th January 2023

Croatia introduces euro, Hrvatska narodna banka joins Eurosystem

The euro has entered into circulation in Croatia today, bringing the number of European Union (EU) Member States using the single European currency to 20. With Croatia’s accession to the euro area, Hrvatska narodna banka, the country’s national central bank, becomes a member of the Eurosystem. The central banking system of the euro area consists of the ECB and the national central banks of the countries whose currency is the…

Markets 8th February 2015

Spanish banks: better numbers but return on equity still weak

MADRID | By Francisco López | Year 2014 was positive for Spanish banks (we haven’t seen Bankia and Liberbank results yet): they earned a total of 10 billion of euros, 27% more than in 2013. But ROE is still weaker.

World economy 22nd October 2013

Is the Stock Market Predictable?

SHANGHAI | By Hong Hao via Caixin | A great amount of research shows bourse trends can be foreseen, even if those for individual stocks cannot. Is the stock market predictable? It has been a haunting question. As early as 1900, in his doctorate dissertation titled The Theory of Speculation, Louis Bachelier laid out in some 70 pages why predicting stock prices would be futile.