Private banking
The euro pressure against dollar
The latest remarks by ECB president Mario Draghi do nothing but confirm that Europe’s highest monetary institution is in no hurry to raise interest rates from their current –0.4%. On the other side of the Atlantic, alternatively, the discourse from the US Federal Reserve is indicating at least one further rate hike in 2017, thus accumulating four increases in 18 months. Such an outstanding difference makes the dollar more attractive than the euro in the medium term.
Investing in summer: A threat or an opportunity?
One of the frequent sayings on the stock markets is sell in May and go away, in allusion to the volatility on the equity markets in the summer period, a situation that begs us to ask if, in this period, the markets could undergo some kind of turbulence or volatility.
Inflation and oil, the thin black line
After the crisis that broke out in the USA in 2008, central banks acquired an even more prominent role than they already had to keep their battered economies afloat. With interest rates at all-time lows, the major economies had to resort to non-conventional measures and put debt-purchasing programmes under way, those known as QE (Quantitative Easing).
The US stock markets break their all-time high records
In July, the S&P 500, which represents the capitalisation of the largest US corporations, reached all-time highs in North American stock markets, accumulating important yields in recent years.
Sustainable foods II: Community gardens
Sensitivity to ecology issues, raised awareness concerning the protection of the natural heritage we share and the search for and return to balanced and sustainable ways of life are features increasingly more widespread in western society. In the world’s major cities, from London to Vancouver, there are mainly private initiatives to incorporate cohabitation areas based on the idea of community gardens or allotments.
Next Generation: Training of the leader generation
Succession and training of future leaders are, at present, two of the main concerns in family companies and businesses. Their effective education and training and succession management have a direct impact on the success of the transition from one generation to the next. And how do you efficiently educate your company’s future leader? Once that person has been identified, education is the next step to create a trained professional qualified to tackle the challenges he/she will have to face in today’s dynamic world.
Art Basel II – BBVA’s customer experience with art
Switzerland once again becomes the “world art centre” during the Art Basel fair. To enjoy this 48th edition, BBVA brought together a select group of clients who were able to admire works by more consolidated artists, and discover works from new, upcoming artists, over the days prior to the official opening, devoted exclusively to VIP guests and collectors.
Switzerland heads the ranking of the most innovative countries
Switzerland heads the ranking of the most innovative countries. This is what stems from the World Innovation Index, published jointly by Cornell University (USA) and the World Intellectual Property Organization.
What are the keystones of gold prices?
Gold prices depend largely on the trend in real interest rates in the USA, i.e. nominal rates minus inflation. The graph compares gold (blue) with the real 5-year interest rate in the USA (orange, on an inverted scale). The lower the real interest rate, the higher the price of gold.
Data: Cornerstone of our digital present
Because when we talk about the present, we refer to the immediate future, to what is already happening, to what is inevitable and to what undoubtedly will decide the fate of any business that wants to tackle a customer-oriented digital transformation.
Brexit’s uncertain future
The latest elections held in the United Kingdom on 8 June last have revealed a scenario of political uncertainty in the country, aggravated by recent outbreaks of social unrest suffered in Manchester and London, which have weakened Britain’s interests in its political aspirations vis-à-vis the negotiation of the future of the Brexit with the European Union.
How does the monetary politics affect our portfolios?
Draghi’s statements at the end of June indicating that reflationary forces (higher nominal growth and inflation) were replacing the deflationary fears of previous quarters, had a swift impact on the financial markets, producing sharp increases in long-term interest rates and a subsequent fall in bond prices across almost all the geographic regions.
The power of diversification
On 6 June last, the Spanish entity Banco Popular was sold for one euro. The increasing withdrawals of deposits had created an unbridgeable liquidity gap. The European authorities gave the go ahead to the sale of Banco Popular, which marked the disappearance of the entity with the highest efficiency ratio in Spain.
The ISM, an indicator auguring an optimistic future
Despite the volatility and uncertainty reported worldwide in the first three months of the year, the major leading indicator, the US manufacturing index (ISM) is indicating that this country is going to undergo an improvement in its economy over the coming quarters.
The best doctors in the world at your fingertips
A second expert medical opinion assures a more accurate diagnosis and suitable treatment.
The transformation journey at BBVA in Switzerland
The Financial Services Industry has embarked on its own transformation journey for the better. At BBVA, we are leading the worldwide redesign of the financial sector introducing cutting-edge technology and design in every product and business process we have. We aim to offer the best customer experience in banking.
Art Basel I, a showcase of art from all over the world
This emblematic fair enables collectors and onlookers to admire works by more consolidated artists as well as discovering new artists coming onto the scene.
The world stock market hits new all-time highs
The intense momentum or positive inertia on the financial markets today has catapulted world equity indices to new all-time highs, particularly highlighting the monthly performance both by countries in Europe, driven by the election results in France and those more closely tied to the emerging economies.
Switzerland: diversifying across borders
Diversification is understood as the process whereby we invest in more than one asset in order to reduce portfolio risk. The lower the correlation between the assets comprising a portfolio, the higher its diversification and the lower the risk associated to it.
