Moody’s downgrades 16 Spanish banks

May 18, 2012 – 8:54 am

Banks in Spain and tenerife downgraded by Moody's as a result of Euro crisis

Credit rating agency Moody’s has downgraded 16 Spanish banks including two of Spain’s biggest lenders, the Banco Santander and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA).

According to a statement from Moody’s, nine banks were cut three notches and seven were kept on review of the agency for further downgrades.  Spain’s borrowing costs shot up at a bond auction on Thursday, after economic data confirmed the country is back in recession and reports of an outflow of deposits from nationalised Bankia hammered its share price.

According to official data, Spain is in recession recording a 0.3 percent contraction in the economy in the first quarter. Moody’s cited bad loans, recession, funding access worries, real estate crisis, high unemployment rate and lower credit worthiness of the government as the reasons for the downgrade. “The Spanish economy has fallen back into recession in first-quarter 2012, and Moody’s does not expect conditions to improve,” the credit rating agency said in a statement. “Banks will continue to face highly adverse operating and market funding conditions that pose a threat to their creditworthiness,” it added.

The agency has also cut the ratings on Santander UK, a subsidiary of Banco Santander, the eurozone’s largest lender. Santander UK maintained that the downgrade would not have any impact on its operations.

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Spanish economy to fall 1.4% this year?

March 26, 2012 – 8:49 am

Zero growth in Tenerife and Spain this year?

According to latest forecasts from The Economist, reported in Diario Sur, the Spanish economy will fall 1.4% this year and register zero growth in 2013, while the unemployment rate will climb to 23.3% this year and prices will rise by 1.9%.

These estimates are slightly more optimistic than those of the Spanish Government, which anticipates a GDP decline of 1.7% this year and an unemployment rate of 24.3%.

Within the eurozone, the English publication only forecasts an economic downturn in 2013 for Greece (-1.2%), after their country’s GDP contracts 7.1% this year. However, it is estimated that Italy, another country in trouble, will stagnate in 2013, after dropping 1.6% in 2012 (more than Spain) and register an unemployment rate of 9.2%.

Germany, on the other hand, will be among the most advanced economies in 2013, with an increase in GDP of 1.4%, after a rise of 0.4% in 2012, followed by Austria, with growth of 0.5% in 2012 and 1.4% in 2013. France and Belgium, meanwhile, will return to growth again in 2013 after registering drops of 0.1% in their GDP this year. Specifically, France will grow 0.9% next year and Belgium by 1.2%.

The Economist then went on to estimate that the eurozone will close 2012 with a fall of 0.6%, but climb back next year, with growth of 0.7%, while the U.S. will grow by 2.1% in 2012 and 2.3% in 2013.

Source: Kyero

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Recovery expected in real estate markets in 2013

March 13, 2012 – 10:31 am

Standard and Poor's expect the real estate market to improve in Tenerife, Spain and Europe in 2013

The credit rating agency, Standard & Poor’s, believes that the European macroeconomic crisis will not extend beyond 2012, which will result in a “significant recovery” of European real estate markets in 2013.

“Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services believes that the macroeconomic crisis may not extend beyond 2012. We still expect a new recession in Europe, although we believe it will be mild, with a gradual return to growth thanks to the growing demand from emerging countries, the strength of demand in developed countries and the restoration of investor confidence,” said the company.

According to El Economista, the baseline scenario of S & P considers there will be a flat growth of the economies of the Eurozone as a whole, with growth of 0.5% in France and 0.6% in Germany, while in UK the gross domestic product (GDP) will grow by 0.5%.

Source: Kyero.com

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Spain most popular for currency exchange

February 10, 2012 – 3:26 pm

Whilst Spain remains the most popular destination in terms of volume of currency transactions in 2011, interestingly, the UK takes second place with 18% of transactions according to the latest data compiled by FX specialist, Currency Index.

Almost a quarter of all FX transactions in 2011 (24.99%) were sent to Spain, unsurprising given the country’s appeal as a top holiday and second home destination.Robin Haynes, MD of award-winning Currency Index explains, “18.10% of FX transactions, nearly a fifth, last year were made back to the UK. This is most likely a result of people returning home from overseas or in a few cases sending currency to UK-based Euro/USD accounts for example, which can be overseas properties where a lawyer’s client account is in the UK for example. In addition, part of these transactions will be business clients repatriating income and also individuals earning money abroad. It really is a mixed bag but of note none the less.

“In Q4 2011, there was a 15% increase in people bringing money back to the UK probably due to the Euro crisis which sparked panic and saw people moving money back to locations seen as safe havens.”

Indeed, the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis has caused fear to spread but for those considering buying property abroad, the reduction of the value of the single currency means that now is in fact one of the cheapest times to buy a place in the sun.

Haynes comments, “There is a lot of confusion and scaremongering going on in the Euro at the moment but in spite of this, overseas property buyers should rest assured that the single currency devaluation will mean that they will currently be able get over 8% more for their money than if they were buying Euros in July last year.”

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Sterling high good news for Brits buying property in Tenerife and eurozone.

January 27, 2012 – 10:55 am

Sterling high against the Euro a boost for property buyers in Tenerife and Spain

There was good news for Brits seeking to buy property in the eurozone as sterling reached a 15-month high against the euro currency. The euro’s value depreciated against the UK pound on the back of fresh concerns regarding the the health of the eurozone’s banking system.

Sterling increased by 0.73% to €1.208 on Wednesday  its highest level since September 2010. The euro also fell 0.95% against the dollar to $1.293. Despite concerns about the fragile state of the UK economy, it is generally considered to be doing better than the Eurozone, which is struggling with a major debt crisis.

Geoffrey Yu, currency strategist at UBS, told Reuters: “Maybe the UK is approaching a consensus (for a recession) but it’s not there yet. And there’s no break-up risk, so people are more willing to allocate funding from a passive perspective at the start of the year.”

However, despite the recent recovery in the strength of the pound versus the euro, some currency experts do not expect sterling’s value to increase much further in the short- to medium-term.

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Spain’s central bank forecasts contraction of 1.5% this year

January 23, 2012 – 4:14 pm

Spain's Central Bank expects contraction of 1.5% this year

Spain’s central bank on Monday forecast that the country, which is struggling to slash its deficit and debt, will fall back into recession this year with a contraction of 1.5 percent.

The Bank of Spain said however it expects Spain’s economy to make a modest rebound in 2013 with growth in gross domestic product (GDP) of 0.2 percent. It added that it estimates the economy to have grown by 0.7 percent in 2011.

“In 2011 the modest recovery which the Spanish economy began a year earlier weakened as the eurozone sovereign debt crisis extended to a greater number of countries and financial market tensions strengthened,” it said in a report. Source: Google.com

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Spain reclaims property crown

January 9, 2012 – 5:57 pm

Spain and Tenerife property in demand

Spain has reclaimed its property crown, according to the latest Top of the Props report from TheMoveChannel. Following America’s unexpected victory in November, US property fell in popularity last month, dropping three places in the overseas portal’s chart.

That dip was all Spain needed to soar back to top spot. Buyers seemed to flock to America to avoid Europe’s troubled markets, Spain, Portugal and France charged up the table, pushing America down to fourth. In total, the top three destinations accounted for just over a third of all enquiries on the site in December.

While US enquiries fell by 7.32 per cent, Spain’s popularity dropped by only 0.18 per cent. This steady level of attention, driven by low prices and the country’s reduction in VAT during 2011, reflects the continuing demand for Spanish property from lifestyle buyers.

This proves that holiday home demand can still buck the Eurozone’s downward trend if the prices are right.  Despite Spain’s return to form, investors are still willing to look elsewhere to avoid Europe’s more troubled economies.

Managing Director Dan Johnson comments: “As 2011 ends, the fluctuations in the Top 10 show the changing buyer demands in an uncertain market. Spain has always been a traditional choice for lifestyle buyers, as evidenced by the constant level of interest in the country. In fact, for the majority of last year, Spain was the most sought-after property destination on TheMoveChannel. so its return to the top spot seems an appropriate end to the year.

“Barbados and Morocco are equally attractive lifestyle choices that are free of Eurozone anxiety, but France and Portugal’s strong performance in December is a reassuring sign for more familiar property markets. As the New Year begins, we shall see if the popularity of these European countries will be strong enough to weather the economic climate in 2012.”

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Euribor rate falls for fourth month in a row

January 4, 2012 – 11:40 am

Euribor down again which means mortgage repayments up in Spain and Tenerife

Euribor, (12 months), the interest rate typically used to calculate mortgage repayments in Spain, fell for the fourth month in a row to end the year at 2.01, a percentage fall of 1.7pc on the previous month. Compared to the 12 months ago, however, Euribor rose by 33.4pc, meaning higher mortgage repayments for all those on annually resetting mortgages.

The European Central Bank (ECB) cut base rates from 1.25 to 1.00 during December, the second cut in 2 months since the Italian Mario Draghi took over as the new Governor. Markets were expecting the cut, and judging by Euribor’s recent trend do not expect rates to increase any time soon. As you can see from the following chart, Eurozone base rates are still significantly higher then the US, the UK, and Japan.

New mortgage lending continued to shrink in October, with new mortgage approvals down 43pc to 23,193 (and down 46.5pc by value), according to figures from the INE. It’s clear the credit crunch is well and truly back in Spain.

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Spain’s property reign ended by America

December 12, 2011 – 10:22 am

US overtakes Spain in the property market

The reign of Spain has been ended by America, according to the latest Top of the Props report .

Spanish property used to be the favourite for buyers, with the sunny Costas attracting swarms of house hunters every year. But now there’s a new top dog as the US replaces Spain in the overseas property portal’s rankings, upsetting the market’s established order to become the most popular destination in November.

The US has long played second fiddle to both France and Spain for property buyers but in October, America leapfrogged France to become a surprise runner-up in TheMoveChannel’s chart. Now, an increase of 7.01 percent in enquiries has seen the US surge to number one, with foreclosed homes and bargain house prices eclipsing the opportunities available in Europe.

Spain could only stand and watch as enquiries fell by 2.38 per cent last month, despite its half-price VAT reduction on new homes until the end of the year. France, on the other hand, remained firm in third place, attracting exactly the same number of enquiries in November and October, demonstrating the country’s consistent appeal to investors.

Managing Director Dan Johnson comments: “After climbing three places in as many months, the US continues to attract more and more overseas investors. Florida remains a popular lifestyle choice and with US houses the most affordable they have been in 15 years, the troubled Eurozone just can’t compete with the low price of American real estate. It’s no coincidence that the US is the only country to rise above the four familiar European markets.

As Spain’s reign ends, America’s dominance begins. Indeed, while the industry speculates about the impact of the Euro upon the rest of the world, North America’s rise to first place is exactly the kind of stimulant the US housing market needs

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Property prices to fall further?

November 28, 2011 – 9:37 am

 The distressed nature of the Spanish property market combined with the country’s fragile economy suggests that property prices will fall further, despite the fact that they have tumbled nationwide since the peak of the market in 2007. The Eurozone debt crisis that has already seen three countries, Greece, Ireland and Portugal bailed out is now threatening much bigger economies like Italy and Spain. Furthermore, with unemployment and foreclosure levels in Spain both growing, it is hard to see how further price falls are not inevitable, presenting purchasers with an opportunity to bag an even cheaper priced home in Spain. Fresh research by an association of homeowners facing foreclosure (AFES), reveals that almost 20% of Spanish mortgages signed between the boom years of 2004 and 2008 are or will become delinquent. AFES calculate that over 700,000 families will have had their homes repossessed by 2015, which is a tragedy. But while extremely unfortunate, it does present those in a position to buy property, with an opportunity to secure a home at an even cheaper price, crushing any slim hopes that that market will soon embark on the road to recover. Mark Stucklin of Spanish Property Insight wrote: “Specifically, there were four million home purchases between 2004 and 2008 , the bubble years of the Spanish property boom  of which 170,000 have already been foreclosed, another 170,000 are in process, and another 375,000 are expected to be repossessed by 2015.” “All this at a time when there are more than three million empty homes in Spain,” he added. AFES propose partial or total debt forgiveness by banks, more mortgage lending, and lower property prices to making housing affordable. “The big social drama is that after losing their homes people are saddled with debts they can never afford to pay,” said Carlos Baños, President of AFES. or total debt forgiveness by banks, more mortgage lending, and lower property prices to making housing affordable. “The big social drama is that after losing their homes people are saddled with debts they can never afford to pay,” said Carlos Baños, President of AFES.

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