Spain on the edge

Spain’s borrowing costs have risen at its latest bond auction and on money borrowed today, payable in 10 years, Spain has to pay an interest rate of 6.975%, the highest since 1997. A high rate or yield indicates investors may not have confidence in a government to fully repay its debts and the figure is perilously close to 7%, the …

Spain 2-2 Costa Rica

Spain managed to salvage a draw in the friendly international against Costa Rica despite being two goals down by half time. Brenes and Campbell put Costa Rica in the driving seat but late strikes, one well into injury time, by Silva and Villa made the scoreline a bit more respectable.

House prices continue to fall

The average price of housing fell by 6.9% in October compared to the same month last year, according to Tasaciones Inmobiliarias (Tinsa).

Car sales down again in October

Car registrations in October were 57,278 units, a 6.7% decrease compared to October 2010 and the worst October figures in history.

Unemployment still rising

Unemployment in Spain rose by 144,700 during the third quarter bringing the total registered unemployed to 4.978,300, 21.52% of the registered workforce.

New requirements for Spanish banks

Under new requirements by the European Banking Authority, Spanish banks need to find another €26 billion in capital by next June with Santander having to raise an extra €15 billion.

Real Madrid back at the top

Real Madrid are currently top of the pile after a 0-4 win at Málaga, Higuaín starting things rolling and then Ronaldo helping himself to a first half hat-trick. Barcelona are one point behind Real after a 0-0 draw against Sevilla. Levante could go top on Sunday if they can overcome Villarreal.

Record low number of mortgage transactions

The number of people taking out mortgages for homes fell by 41.7% in August compared to the same month in 2010 with just 29,231 transactions, the lowest figure since comparable statistics were introduced in 2003.

Spain’s debt rating cut again

Moody’s has downgraded the rating of Spain’s government bonds by two notches from Aa2 to A1 with a negative outlook just two days after Standard & Poor’s took the same decision.

Opinion polls put Mariano Rajoy way ahead

The latest opinion polls commissioned by El Pais and El Mundo show that, if the election were held today, the PP of Mariano Rajoy would secure between 190 and 196 seats and the PSOE of Alfredo Peréz Rubalcaba would get between 115 and 120 seats.