Spain’s Financial Stability Will Lead the News Today

The week starts in Spain with the publication of the spring Financial Stability report by the Bank of Spain.

There are lots of local holidays scattered around the country for this Monday, 32 to be exact, but some key areas are around Barcelona, and Tarragona, but it might be worth checking with your local authorities where you are.

Also in Spain, we will have figures on competition, and medical education.

In the eurozone, industrial production for February and total reserve assets for March will be known.

The ECB releases the survey of monetary analysts for April, Eurostat publishes industrial production figures for February, and the informal meeting of Energy Ministers begins.

On the other side of the Atlantic, in the US, the main references will be retail sales for March and the manufacturing Empire for April.

On a business level, Goldman Sachs publishes its first quarter accounts, and back in Europe we can all prepare to hear all about the hardship Ryanair are suffering with their accounts being published.

Dominating the news in the UK will be the conclusion of the long-running infected blood inquiry, as the chair, Brian Langstaff, publishes his final report and recommendations.

Julian Assange could find out his future as the High Court looks set to rule on his final attempt to appeal his extradition to the US.

However, neither of those stories are likely to get as much coverage as the fact the King and Queen will be at the Chealsea Flower Show.

Talking of flowers, in a tentative link sort of way, Monday is also World Bee Day, helping to raise awareness about one of the most important insects on the planet. Sadly though, we still don’t hold caterpillars in as much high regard, some places in Spain taking action to irradicate them, despite the lack of realisation that caterpillars become butterflies and butterflies are as important as bees for pollinating none-food flora.