Spain’s economy grew between October and December as domestic demand and investments improved, data showed, adding to signs that its recovery from recession is slowly gaining traction.
Gross domestic product expanded by 0.2 percent in the fourth quarter from the third, its second quarterly expansion in a row, Thursday’s final National Statistics Institute (INE) data showed. The economy contracted 0.2 percent year-on-year.
Both figures were below INE estimates given earlier this year of a 0.3 percent quarterly expansion and a 0.1 percent annual drop, though analysts played down the growth gap.
“There’s been a small downward revision, but it doesn’t change the overall picture dramatically,” said Silvio Peruzzo, economist at Nomura.
“The recovery is clearly on track and accelerating, with investment and consumer demand improving.”
In Spain, domestic demand is worth around two thirds of output and, after a burst property bubble in 2008 left millions out of work, has been a heavy drag on the economy as both consumers and businesses reined in spending.
via Reuters
This article is for general information purposes only. It is not investment advice or a solution to buy or sell securities. Opinions are the authors; not necessarily that of OANDA Corporation or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. Leveraged trading is high risk and not suitable for all. You could lose all of your deposited funds.