Search results
In a context marked by the uncertainty generated by the tariff tensions, a topic to which we devote several articles, in this Monthly Report we update the economic forecast scenario for 2025 and 2026. We also review the forecasts for the Spanish real estate market, which is in the midst of a boom, and evaluate the economic recovery of the province of Valencia six months after the floods.
We dedicate the dossier of the December issue to one of the major determining factors for social well-being and cohesion: inequality. Through the monthly monitoring of internal data that we have carried out since the pandemic, we are able to confirm the downward trend of inequality in Spain, contrary to that observed in the main developed economies, and we stop to examine the recent evolution of Spain’s middle class. In other articles of the report, also using internal data, we analyse the economic impact of the floods in Valencia and how households in Catalan municipalities in a state of drought adjusted their water consumption. In addition, we study the exposure of the Spanish, European and Chinese economies to tariff hikes in the United States.
We are living increasingly longer and healthier lives – excellent news for all of us. However, this longevity, combined with a persistently low birth rate, is reconfiguring the demographic structure of our societies. In our latest Dossier, we analyse this important demographic shift, as well as its impact on growth, public finances, and savings and interest rates. We also analyse in depth other topical issues, such as the adjustment of the ECB’s monetary policy strategy and operational framework, the European Union’s 2025-2028 budget and the feasibility of it increasing defence spending to 5% of GDP. In the sphere of the Spanish economy, we lay out the causes of departures from employment and the evolution of the incomes of the middle class in recent years.
In the last trading session before Christmas, stock markets declined and long-term sovereign yields remained stable (with the exception of Portugal, whose risk premium undid part of the week's strong decline as investors are still calibrating the implications of the improved sovereign rating)
European stock markets were mixed as they recorded moderate losses in Germany and France, remained stable in Spain and advanced in Portugal.
Stock markets rose in the U.S. but experienced widespread declines in Europe. In fixed-income markets, U.S. sovereign yields ticked up and European yields remained stable (with the exception of Portugal's).
U.S. stock markets declined for the first time in the week while European stocks were mixed, with small losses in Germany, and moderate gains in France, Italy, Spain and Portugal.
Markets ended the week with a relatively quiet session. The main U.S. and euro area stock market indices posted moderate gains, but in Spain and Portugal stocks suffered a small decline.
Geopolitical events (the diplomatictensions between Canada and Saudi Arabia and the impositions of sanctions to Russia from the U.S.) had a muted effect on advancedeconomies' stock markets. In Europe, the mainstock indices experienced moderate losses, except in Portugal and in the U.K., while the S&P 500 remained unchanged. Instead, trade tensions between China and the U.S. weighted on Chinese equity indices.