WSJ

A paella is prepared in Valencia, Spain, on World Paella Day, in 2018. KAI FOERSTERLING/EPA/SHUTTERSTOCK By Maria Martinez When Regina Bou’s friends saw paella on a restaurant menu, they immediately bought it for her. As a Spanish student living in New York City, they knew she really missed her home country’s specialties. Her friends delivered the …

Paella Pizza? Purists Object to Variations of the Popular Spanish Dish Read More »

The eurozone’s household savings rate jumped to 25% in 2Q 2020, almost double the pre-pandemic long-run average, according to UBS data. PHOTO: LEONHARD FOEGER/REUTERSBy Maria Martinez When the pandemic hit Europe, Pablo Jimenez continued working as usual in his job as a computer scientist, albeit remotely. He was living in Madrid at the time but decided …

Europe’s Economic Recovery Hopes Are Riding on Unlocking Covid-19 Savings Stockpile Read More »

Shipping containers are unloaded from a ship at Los Angeles, the final destination for many overbooked ships traveling from Asia via Europe, after passing through the Panama Canal. PHOTO: LUCY NICHOLSON/REUTERS By Maria Martinez In the Spanish port of Valencia, shipping containers are stacking up waiting to be taken across the Atlantic. Vessels from Asia that …

Supply Constraints and Shipping Costs Threaten Eurozone Recovery Read More »

PHOTO: DADO RUVIC/REUTERS By Maria Martinez The U.S. economy is set to far outpace the eurozone this year, supported by a generous fiscal response to the economic crisis. This has prompted some European economists and even the International Monetary Fund to push for a stronger fiscal response from the EU, but leaders from the bloc have …

EU Covid-19 Fiscal Response Leaves Economists Divided on Best Course Read More »

Empty beaches at Benidorm, Spain, last summer. After the worst year in tourism history, all eyes are on 2021 in recouping some of those losses. PHOTO: JON NAZCA/REUTERS By Maria Martinez and Olivia Bugault Hotels, airlines and the rest of the industry in Europe have been betting on a strong rebound in demand this summer to jump-start activity …

Vaccine Delays Dampen Outlook for Summer Holidays in Europe Read More »

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said at her press conference on Jan. 21 that “underlying price pressures are expected to remain subdued owing to weak demand, notably in the tourism and travel-related sectors, as well as to low wage pressures and the appreciation of the euro exchange rate.” PHOTO: HOLLIE ADAMS/BLOOMBERG NEWS By Maria Martinez …

Rising Inflation May Spell Trouble For Fixed-Income Investors Read More »

One of the educational board games made by Spanish toy company Ludilo. E-commerce saved Ludilo during the spring lockdown, but stricter measures over the Christmas season could prove disastrous for the sector. PHOTO: MARIA MARTINEZ By Maria Martinez This year, children should write their letters to Santa Claus and the Three Wise Men earlier than usual, so …

For Spanish Toy Sector, Lockdowns Would Be Nightmare Before Christmas Read More »

Bars such as this in the resort of Ischgl, Austria will start the new winter sports season under measures to stem the coronavirus pandemic. PHOTO: CHRISTIAN BRUNA/SHUTTERSTOCK  By Maria Martinez and Cecilia Butini Europe’s multibillion-dollar winter tourism industry could be headed downhill, with countries divided on how to keep people safe at the height of a …

Europe Splits on Plans for Pandemic-Hit Ski Season Read More »

An electronic billboard in Times Square, New York City, on November 9. On that day, stocks surged after Pfizer and partner BioNTech said their vaccine showed in an early analysis to be more than 90% effective in preventing infection from Covid-19. PHOTO: DAVID DEE DELGADO/GETTY IMAGESBy Maria Martinez Positive news on vaccine development is welcome, but …

Vaccines Won’t Save Eurozone From Double-Dip Recession Read More »

A closed restaurant in Barcelona during Spain’s national lockdown in May. As tougher restrictions are once again imposed across Europe to contain a new surge in cases, several countries have extended furlough programs to cushion the blow to labor markets. PHOTO: JOSEP LAGO/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGESBy Maria Martinez Faced with a fresh surge in coronavirus cases, many …

Short-Time Work Schemes Delay Virus Hit to Eurozone Jobs Read More »