This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-28559302
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Spain's economy grows at fastest quarterly rate since 2007 | Spain's economy grows at fastest quarterly rate since 2007 |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The Spanish economy grew at its fastest pace over the last three months since the end of 2007, according to Spain's statistics office. | The Spanish economy grew at its fastest pace over the last three months since the end of 2007, according to Spain's statistics office. |
But falling prices show the country is facing a deflation threat after it emerged from a two year recession last year. | But falling prices show the country is facing a deflation threat after it emerged from a two year recession last year. |
Economic growth for the last three months was 0.6%, ahead of the Bank of Spain's forecasts of around 0.5%. | Economic growth for the last three months was 0.6%, ahead of the Bank of Spain's forecasts of around 0.5%. |
That leaves the annualised rate of growth at 1.2%. | That leaves the annualised rate of growth at 1.2%. |
Spanish Minister of Economy Luis de Guindos said that Spanish GDP - the value of all its goods and services - would grow by close to 1.5% this year and 2% next year. | Spanish Minister of Economy Luis de Guindos said that Spanish GDP - the value of all its goods and services - would grow by close to 1.5% this year and 2% next year. |
Analyst Daniele Antonucci at Morgan Stanley said: "The Spanish economy [has] recovered further. It also looks likely that it has outgrown most of its peers - from Germany to France and Italy." | Analyst Daniele Antonucci at Morgan Stanley said: "The Spanish economy [has] recovered further. It also looks likely that it has outgrown most of its peers - from Germany to France and Italy." |
But consumer prices have been falling since the end of last year when inflation figures first turned negative. | But consumer prices have been falling since the end of last year when inflation figures first turned negative. |
Deflation | |
Deflation can prompt businesses and households to delay purchases, choking off demand and causing companies to cut staff. | |
Month on month, the fall in Spain was 0.9%. Prices are 0.3% lower than they were a year ago. | |
Spain's National Statistics Institute said in a statement: "This drop can be explained, mainly, by the stability of gasoline, food and non-alcoholic beverages prices following increases in 2013. The drop in electricity prices has also influenced this trend." | Spain's National Statistics Institute said in a statement: "This drop can be explained, mainly, by the stability of gasoline, food and non-alcoholic beverages prices following increases in 2013. The drop in electricity prices has also influenced this trend." |
Germany reported lower inflation figures on Wednesday, adding to concerns that deflation is becoming a Europe-wide problem. | |
First estimates from the federal statistics office Destatis showed inflation in July dropping to 0.8% year-on-year, its lowest level since February 2010, from 1.0% in June. |
Previous version
1
Next version