
Spain's market supervisor will wait for government to decide on BBVA-Sabadell deal
MADRID, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Spain's stock market supervisor CNMV will wait for the government's decision and the competition watchdog's review of BBVA's (BBVA.MC), opens new tab hostile bid for Sabadell (SABE.MC), opens new tab before deciding on the potential authorisation of the takeover prospectus, CNMV chief Carlos San Basilio said on Wednesday.
In November, the antitrust watchdog said that BBVA's all-share offer for Sabadell, valued in April at more than 12 billion euros ($12.64 billion), must undergo a longer phase 2 review that could extend the process well into 2025 in a deal opposed by the government.
Under Spanish law, the government cannot stop a bid from being made, but it has the final word on whether a merger goes ahead.

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The Herald Scotland
3 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Scotland Office leads trade mission in Spain
A total of 16 Scottish female entrepreneurs, led by UK Government Minister Kirsty McNeill and the Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC), will arrive in Madrid today. Their mission comes after a report, first covered by The Herald, found that trade in Scotland could increase by more than £10 billion over two years if women-led businesses exported at the same rate as those led by men. The Gender Export Gap Report, commissioned by the Scottish Government, found that if women who lead small and medium-sized enterprises exported at the same rate as male-led exporters, it could increase total turnover by between £2.1bn and £6.3bn over one year, with this potentially increasing to over £10bn over a two year period. Scotland Minister Ms McNeill has voiced she wants the UK to be 'a leader' in promoting gender diversity in international trade. Those involved, including the chief executive of Scottish Chamber of Commerce Liz Cameron, will meet with Spanish entrepreneurs, business leaders and politicians to address the Scottish gender export gap and promote Brand Scotland. Taking place through events in Barcelona and Madrid, ministers said the mission will help Scottish firms 'boost exports, inward investment and kickstart economic growth'. During her trip to Spain, Ms McNeill will also discuss future plans for two shipyards in Scotland with the CEO of Navantia UK, a Spanish ship building company which recently took over the British shipbuilder Harland & Wolff. It currently runs operations across four UK sites including Methil and Arnish in Scotland. READ MORE: 'Scottish trade could create billions through women-led businesses' What Keir Starmer's new UK–EU agreement means for Scotland Figures from last year show Spain is the UK's seventh largest trading partner and it is Scotland's 10th with total trade in goods and services (exports plus imports) being £64.6 billion. The UK is the number one European destination for Spanish investment (€83 billion stock). On Tuesday in Barcelona, the Minister will also meet the President of Catalonia, Salvador Illa to discuss new opportunities for trade and investment for both the UK and Spain. This visit marks the first Brand Scotland trade mission since the signing of a partnership agreement between the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Scotland Office on Friday. The deal, backed by a £100,000 UK Government grant, is focused on showcasing Scottish businesses globally and attracting inward investment. UK Government Scotland Office Ms McNeill said: "I'm very proud to be teaming up with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and fantastic Scottish women entrepreneurs on a trailblazing mission to Spain to help kickstart economic growth, create jobs and attract investment to Scotland as part of the UK Government's Plan for Change. "I want the UK to be a leader in promoting gender diversity in international trade and this is a unique opportunity for our women business leaders to build international connections, explore market opportunities, and connect with other female entrepreneurs in one of Scotland's and the UK's largest EU markets. "Through Brand Scotland, we are now giving our country the global platform it deserves." Last year, Scotland's goods exports to Spain reached £0.7 billion, with food and drink leading the way at over £212 million. Most recent figures show that Spain was the number six export destination for Scotch whisky, with sales worth £196 million in 2024. Spain is also among the most valuable destinations for Scottish seafood exports, including a top 20 destination for Scottish salmon exports. Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce Dr Liz Cameron CBE said: "This trade mission marks a bold step forward in advancing Scotland's global trade ambitions. "By connecting some of our most dynamic women entrepreneurs and leaders with key players in Barcelona, we are opening new doors of opportunity, innovation, and growth. "Scotland's businesswomen are global in their outlook, ambitious in their vision, and ready to lead the way in forging deeper connections around the world. 'The collaboration between the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and Scotland Office is a powerful partnership which will boost business growth, increase exports, and champion Scotland as a world-leading trading nation. "This mission expands our market access and ensures the future of our business community is more representative, resilient, and internationally competitive." The mission follows the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer securing an agreement with the European Union last month which aimed at resetting relations after post-Brexit disruption. The deal includes an extension of EU fishing rights in UK waters until 2038. This 12-year continuation maintains current access arrangements, which were initially set to expire in 2026. The UK Government argues that the move provides stability and certainty for the fishing sector. However, Scottish fishing communities and the Scottish Government have voiced strong opposition. The agreement also includes a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement, which aligns UK food safety and animal health standards with those of the EU. This alignment is expected to eliminate most routine border checks on animal and plant products between Great Britain and the EU. It will also permit the export of some previously restricted products, including burgers and sausages, back into the EU market. For Scotland, this is significant, facilitating smoother exports for key sectors such as seafood and agriculture. However, it also means that the UK, including Scotland, must adhere to evolving EU regulations in these areas.


Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Luis Diaz comments after Liverpool stung Barcelona with £90m transfer premium
Barcelona were planning to swoop for Liverpool winger Luis Diaz this summer, but the Colombian has pledged his future to the Reds, who insist he's going nowhere Luis Diaz has reaffirmed his commitment to Liverpool, rejecting advances from Barcelona in a move that underscores the Reds' newfound dominance in the transfer market. It also signals a seismic shift in their rivalry with the Catalan giants, who were hoping to lure Diaz to the Camp Nou this summer. Once upon a time, Barcelona held an almost magnetic pull over Liverpool's top players, particularly those from South America. Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho and Javier Mascherano all traded Merseyside for Catalonia, with their dreams of donning the Blaugrana shirt proving irresistible. So frequent were these raids that Liverpool, stung by Coutinho's £142million departure in 2018, inserted a cunning £90m premium clause into the deal, forcing Barcelona to pay a hefty surcharge for any future Anfield signings. This stipulation meant that the club would have to pay an additional £90m on top of any agreed transfer fee for future Liverpool players. The clause only lasted until the end of the 2019/20 season, but it was a defensive measure born of necessity, a way to protect their stars from the Spanish giants' grasp. It proved particularly valuable as Jurgen Klopp's squad blossomed, with standout talents like Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Alisson Becker, and Virgil van Dijk rising to prominence in that period. Fast forward to 2025, and the tables have turned. Diaz, who has two years remaining on his Liverpool deal, has made it clear he has no intention of leaving Merseyside, even if a contract extension isn't agreed this summer. "I'm very happy at Liverpool - I've always said so. They've welcomed me very well," the Colombian told to beIN SPORTS ahead of Colombia's clash with Peru on Friday. "If Liverpool gives us a good extension, or I have to see out my two-year contract, I'll be happy." His words carry weight, not just for their sincerity but for what they reveal about the shifting dynamics between the two clubs. Diaz's contentment at Liverpool is a testament to the club's resurgence under Arne Slot, who guided the Reds to just their second Premier League title last month. Diaz contributed 17 goals and eight assists in 50 appearances across the season - his best return since joining from Porto in 2022. His growing importance to Liverpool is clear - underscored by the club's firm stance that he is not for sale. Even if he were, Barcelona no longer wield the same allure they once did, particularly when it comes to prying talent from Merseyside. Liverpool are evidently no longer a stepping stone but a final destination - a far cry from the observation made by club legend Steven Gerrard in 2015. In his autobiography 'My Story', Gerrard correctly predicted Barcelona would go after Coutinho, and reckoned Liverpool might find it "tricky" to keep hold of the Brazilian because "the lure of going to [Barcelona or Real Madrid] is so strong for any South American player." But Diaz appears to have resisted the urge, even in spite of Barcelona's La Liga-winning campaign and the high-octane football they were showcasing in the Champions League prior to their semi-final exit at the hands of Inter Milan. The £90m premium clause from the Coutinho deal is now a relic of a bygone era, a reminder of when Liverpool had to fend off Barcelona's advances with contractual ingenuity. Today, they do so with the confidence of a club at the pinnacle of European football. Diaz's decision to stay, coupled with Liverpool's swift rejection of Barcelona's approach, sends a clear message: Anfield is where dreams are made rather than imagined, and the Reds are no longer anyone's feeder club.


Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Spanish island 'sounds alarm' over tourist issue and it doesn't involve Brits
The Alcudia and Can Picafort hoteliers association has sounded the alarm that bookings on the island are down on last year, particularly among holidaymakers from Germany Germans are abandoning a beautiful holiday island beloved by Brits. Brits and Germans have long been among the biggest forces in European travel, both sharing similar tastes in sunshine resorts on the coast. It seems that our neighbours on the Continent are now growing a little tired of a well-worn holiday classic - Majorca. The Alcudia and Can Picafort hoteliers association has sounded the alarm that bookings on the island are down on last year, especially among travellers from Germany, their principal markets. Bar and restaurant takings were down by between 15 and 20 percent compared to last year, which is a significant blow for an industry already struggling. The president of the Association, Pablo Riera-Marsa, said: "We are seeing how the German market, traditionally our number one market, is the one that has slowed down the most. In addition, we are detecting that this season, last-minute bookings are once again becoming more popular, with tourists waiting for special offers and promotions before making their purchase decisions." The travel chief warned that the "Champagne effect" which followed the coronavirus pandemic, when many tourist destinations enjoyed long periods of high demand as pent-up travellers sought holidays following the lockdowns, is now over. "It is essential to continue to focus on quality, sustainability and differentiation, especially in a context in which the market is once again stabilising and last-minute bookings are becoming increasingly important," Mr Riera-Marsa added, the Majorca Daily Bulletin reported. Dwindling demand from some markets is not the only issue facing holidaymakers at the moment. Workers in a popular Spanish holiday destination are threatening to strike during the peak season. READ MORE: Magaluf hotel pool rules ditched as 'towel warriors' cause sunbeds chaos Hotel bosses in Tenerife are facing a stark threat from union leaders: agree to a pay rise within the next fortnight or brace for strike action in the peak of summer. Hospitality chiefs were hit with an ultimatum last week by the General Union of Workers, the UGT, announcing to employers: "You have 15 days to raise wages or there will be a strike in the summer." Sindicalistas de Base, the leading union on the bargaining committee, has warned that failure to reach a deal by June 13 will result in a call to action with strikes during July and August. The unions demanded an unconditional salary hike retroactive to January 2025 as a precondition to discussing the rest of the items. The impending strikes could be an echo of the walkouts experienced during Easter Thursday and Friday, after protracted negotiations failed to lead to a deal. The rallying cry of the workers is for a 6.5% wage hike – an additional 4.5% atop the 2% already sanctioned by the collective agreement.