Spain's GDP falls again: -0,3% in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the last quarter of 2011, when Madrid's gross domestic product had also lost 0,3%. A given that confirms the country's official return to recession, according to provisional figures released today.
This trend was expected by the Iberian government itself and by experts, while the Bank of Spain had forecast a more pessimistic -0,4% of GDP.
Spain's negative momentum also continues on the rating front: after the sovereign debt downgrade, Standard & Poor's today downgraded nine Spanish banks, including Santander and BBVA. The eclassing also affects Banco Sabadell, Ibercaja, Kutxabank, Banca Civica, Bankinter and the local Barclays unit.
