iShares Inc iShares MSCI Spain ETF (ARCA: EWP)

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iShares Inc iShares MSCI Spain ETF

iShares MSCI Spain Capped Index Fund

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The fund will at all times invest at least 80% of its assets in the securities of its underlying index and in depositary receipts representing securities in its underlying index. The underlying index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index with a capping methodology applied to issuer weights so that no single issuer exceeds 25% of the underlying index weight, and all issuers with a weight above 5% do not cumulatively exceed 50% of the underlying index weight. The fund is non-diversified.

Iberdrola, S.A

Ferrovial Se

iShares MSCI Spain ETF

EMERGING WORLD PHARMA INC by Emerging World Pharma, Inc.

Emerging World Pharma Inc

EAST WEST PETE ORD by East West Petroleum Corp.

East West Petroleum Corp

WIIM

Shares of Europe-related ETFs are trading lower after Donald Trump wins the 2024 presidential election.

Ongoing flooding in Eastern and Southern Spain has caused one of the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/climate-change"> worst humanitarian disasters</a> in the region in decades.
What Happened: At least 158 people have been killed by flooding caused by torrential rain on Tuesday night and Wednesday, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/live/ckmgmdxg254t">according</a> to the BBC. The damage is concentrated around the Valencia region. In some areas, the eight-hour rainfall matched a typical year&#8217;s worth of rain.
<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spain-flooding-51-dead-in-valencia-region-economic-hub-2024-10">According</a> to Business Insider, an early insurer estimate of economic damage caused by the storm &#8220;easily&#8221; exceeds 1 billion euros.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez told residents to stay at home as more rain is expected to fall on Friday.
&#8220;To the villages and cities destroyed by this tragedy, I say the same: Together, we will rebuild your streets, your squares, your bridges," Sánchez said in a televised address, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/spain-flash-floods-people-killed-valencia-rcna177979">according</a> to NBC.
Why it Matters: Increases in the frequency of extreme weather events are widely attributed to climate change.
The automotive industry is prominent in Valencia. 
Ford Motor Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>) has a large manufacturing plant in Almussafes, just south of Valencia. This facility is one of Ford&#8217;s key production sites in Europe. Significant flooding or infrastructure damage in this region could disrupt operations or logistics, potentially affecting Ford's production timelines.
Iberdrola SA (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBDRY#OTC">IBDRY</a>) is a large utility provider in Spain. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/30/world/europe/spain-floods-valencia.html?smid=tw-nytimes&amp;smtyp=cur">According</a> to the New York Times, the flood left 155,000 customers without power. General Electric Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GE#NYSE">GE</a>) does not have a manufacturing facility in the vicinity, though its partnership with Iberdrola and projects in Spain could cause some disruption.
Construction companies could stand to benefit from investment in the region following the cessation of the storm. Ferrovial SE (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FER#NASDAQ">FER</a>) and ACS Actividades De Construccion Y Servicios ADR (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACSAY#OTC">ACSAY</a>) are among Spain&#8217;s largest publicly traded construction companies.
Investors should also pay close attention to the Spain-tracking iShares Msci Spain ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EWP#NYSE">EWP</a>) for any volatility in the coming days.
Also Read:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41262664/how-did-hurricanes-milton-helene-intensify-so-quickly-exxonmobils-scientists-warned-us-in-1977">How Did Hurricanes Milton, Helene Intensify So Quickly? ExxonMobil&#8217;s Scientists Warned Us&#8230; In 1977</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Fernando Astasio Avila/Shutterstock.com

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Deadly Floods Strike Spain: 5 Stocks To Watch As Prime Minister Vows To 'Rebuild'

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Krispy Kreme Announces Joint Venture With Glaseadas Originales To Bring Iconic Doughnuts To Spain In 2025; Plans To Open Hot Light Theater Shop In Madrid And Create Over 500 Points Of Access In Key Cities Including Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, And Malaga

<a href="https://www.cnmc.es/prensa/incoacion-apple-20240724" title="https://www.cnmc.es/prensa/incoacion-apple-20240724">https://www.cnmc.es/prensa/incoacion-apple-20240724</a>

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AAPL

Spain's CNMC Earlier Announced Investigation Of Apple For Possible Anti-Competitive Practices Related To App Store

<a href="https://www.oracle.com/news/announcement/oracle-to-invest-in-ai-and-cloud-computing-in-spain-2024-06-20/" title="https://www.oracle.com/news/announcement/oracle-to-invest-in-ai-and-cloud-computing-in-spain-2024-06-20/">https://www.oracle.com/news/announcement/oracle-to-invest-in-ai-and-cloud-computing-in-spain-2024-06-20/</a>

ORCL

Oracle to Invest More Than $1 Billion in AI and Cloud Computing in Spain

UBER

Stack Capital Group Announces Omio Extends Strategic Partnership With Uber Into Spain

Ferrovial SE (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FER#NASDAQ">FER</a>) shares are trading lower after the company divested a 5% stake in Indian firm IRB Infrastructure Developers (IRB) through its subsidiary <a target="_blank" href="https://static.ferrovial.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/11155408/pr-ferrovial-sells-5-stake-in-irb-infrastructure-developers.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cintra</a>.
The transaction amounted to EUR214 million, based on a EUR/INR exchange rate of 89.72.
The sale was conducted as a block deal or placement of 301.9 million shares with institutional investors on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) at an average price of INR63.60.
The estimated pre-tax capital gain from this transaction amounts to EUR130 million.
This move aligns with Ferrovial&#8217;s strategy in India, complementing its recent acquisition of a 24% stake in IRB Infrastructure Trust and capitalizing on the significant long-term growth prospects in the Indian market.
This sale will bolster the liquidity of IRB Infrastructure Developers shares. Ferrovial will retain its position as the second-largest shareholder, holding a 19.9% stake, and maintain representation on the Board of Directors.
Ferrovial concluded the first quarter with high liquidity levels of €4.9 billion and consolidated net debt of €(667) <a target="_blank" href="https://static.ferrovial.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/13231811/20240513-q1-2024-results.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener">million</a>.
Investors can gain exposure to the stock via IShares Inc IShares MSCI Spain ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EWP#NYSE">EWP</a>) and, ClearBridge Sustainable Infrastructure ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INFR#NASDAQ">INFR</a>).
Price Action: FER shares are down 3.31% at $40.02 at the last check Wednesday.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo via Shutterstock

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Movers

INFR

Why Infrastructure Company Ferrovial Shares Are Falling Today

European equities ended Monday broadly positive, while the U.S. market was closed for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/05/39027079/is-the-us-stock-market-open-on-memorial-day-why-the-s-p-500-could-end-the-year-on-a-high-note">the Memorial Day holiday. </a>
Traders maintained an overall positive risk sentiment on European assets, driven by near-total certainty that the European Central Bank (ECB) will deliver a rate cut at its June meeting.
Three key ECB members — chief economist Philip Lane, Finland Central Bank governor Olli Rehn and France Central Bank governor François Villeroy de Galhau — made reassuring statements indicating a rate cut is imminent.
<ul>
<li>&#8220;A June rate cut is appropriate if the inflation outlook holds,&#8221; Lane said. </li>
<li>&#8220;Inflation is converging to our 2% target in a sustained way, making it the right time in June to ease the monetary policy stance and start cutting rates,&#8221; Rehn said. </li>
<li>&#8220;Barring a surprise, a June rate cut is a done deal,&#8221; Villeroy said. </li>
</ul>
Traders now almost fully price in a June rate cut and expect a total of 65 basis points in cuts (more than two cuts but less than three) by the end of the year.
The euro, as tracked by the Invesco CurrencyShares Euro Currency Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FXE#NYSE">FXE</a>), inched 0.1% higher to 1.0840. 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Monday&#8217;s Performance In Major European Indices</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Country</th>
<th>US-Based ETF</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>1-day %chg</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Spain – IBEX 35</td>
<td>iShares MSCI Spain ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EWP#NYSE">EWP</a>)</td>
<td>11,335</td>
<td>0.79%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Italy – FTSE MIB </td>
<td>iShares MSCI Italy ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EWI#NYSE">EWI</a>)</td>
<td>34,751</td>
<td>0.75%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">France – CAC 40</td>
<td>iShares MSCI France Index Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EWQ#NYSE">EWQ</a>)</td>
<td>8,142</td>
<td>0.62%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">EU – Euro Stoxx 50</td>
<td>iShares Europe ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IEV#NYSE">IEV</a>)</td>
<td>5,065</td>
<td>0.58%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Germany – DAX </td>
<td>Global X Dax Germany ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DAX#NYSE">DAX</a>)</td>
<td>18,793</td>
<td>0.53%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Monday&#8217;s Stock Movers In Europe</h3>
Monday&#8217;s top performers on the Euro Stoxx 50 index included:
<ul>
<li>RWE AG (OTCPK: RWEOY) +2.55%</li>
<li>Bayer AG (OTCPK: BAYRY) +2.32%</li>
<li>Volkswagen AG (OTCPK: VWAGY) +1.65%</li>
<li>Enel Società per Azioni (OTCPK: ENLAY) +1.6%</li>
<li>Iberdrola S.A. (OTCPK: IBRDY) +1.5%</li>
<li>Eni S.p.A. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/E#NYSE">E</a>) +1.38%</li>
</ul>
European pharma giant Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) and France luxury powerhouse LVMH-Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (OTCPK: LVMUY) closed 0.9% lower and 0.8% higher, respectively. 
Dutch chipmaker firm ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASML#NASDAQ">ASML</a>) closed 0.2% higher, notching the third straight session of gains. 
Among carmakers, Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STLA#NYSE">STLA</a>) rose 1.5%. Ferrari N.V. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RACE#NYSE">RACE</a>) closed up 0.7%, positively reacting to its victory in Sunday's Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monte Carlo.
Among major banks, UBS Group AG (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UBS#NYSE">UBS</a>) outperformed, up 1%. 
Read now: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/39028061/alibaba-signs-david-beckham-as-global-brand-ambassador-for-e-commerce-platform">Alibaba Signs David Beckham As Global Brand Ambassador For E-Commerce Platform</a>
Photo via Shutterstock.

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European Equities Close Higher As Traders Bank On Imminent ECB Rate Cut: What's Driving Markets Monday?

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EU Commission Opens Proceedings Against TikTok Under DSA Regarding Launch Of TikTok Lite In France And Spain; EU Says TikTok Has Until April 23 To Submit Risk Assessment

Immutep Limited ((ASX: IMM, NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IMMP#NASDAQ">IMMP</a>) (&quot;Immutep&rdquo; or &ldquo;the Company&rdquo;), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel LAG-3 immunotherapies for cancer and autoimmune &nbsp;disease, today &nbsp;announces it &nbsp;has received positive &nbsp;feedback &nbsp;from &nbsp;the &nbsp;Spanish &nbsp;Agency &nbsp;for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) Competent Authority regarding the Company&rsquo;s upcoming TACTI-004 Phase III trial of eftilagimod alpha (&ldquo;efti&rdquo;) for first line treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (1L NSCLC).

IMMP

Immutep Announced Tuesday, Positive Feedback From  Spanish Medicines Agency For Upcoming TACTI-004 Registrational Trial In Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Europe-related ETFs are trading lower amid overall market weakness on US rate cut uncertainty.

Shares of Europe-related ETFs are trading lower amid weakness in US markets following hotter-than-expected March inflation data, which has weighed on global markets.

Strategic collaboration will strengthen Spain's open and ethical AI initiatives to stimulate economic and technical efforts
MADRID, April 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, and the Senior Vice President of IBM&nbsp;(NYSE:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ibm.com/investor">IBM</a>) and Director of IBM Research, Darío Gil, met this afternoon at the Moncloa Complex, where they celebrated the new agreement reached between the Executive and IBM that will allow the development of foundational models for Artificial Intelligence, native in Spanish and co-official languages. During the meeting, which was also attended by the Minister for Digital Transformation and the Civil Service, José Luis Escrivá; the director of the Office of Economic Affairs of the Presidency of the Government, Manuel de la Rocha, and the president of IBM Spain, Portugal, Greece and Israel, Horacio Morell, they shared challenges and initiatives that are opening up in the field of artificial intelligence and supercomputing.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Afterwards, the Government of Spain, through its Ministry for Digital Transformation, the Civil Service, and IBM&nbsp;today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote their collaboration in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI supercomputing, advance the development and practical deployment of open, ethical and responsible generative AI in Spain, and sharing the vision to create a leading suite of foundation models including both large language models (LLMs) and small language models (SLMs), proficient in the Spanish language and co-official languages.
During the meeting at La Moncloa, the President stressed that agreements such as this one demonstrate Spain's commitment to accelerate the ethical and responsible use of AI, particularly in the public sector, with great impact on productivity for many sectors of the economy and on Europe's strategic autonomy.
The document was signed today in Madrid by Darío Gil, Senior Vice President and Director of IBM Research, and José Luis Escrivá, Minister for Digital Transformation and Civil Service of the Government of Spain. Tapping into IBM's open-source AI framework, communities will be able to shape and contribute to the Spanish LLM, that will also include co-official languages (Catalan, Basque, Galician and Valencian) increasing innovation, transparency and safety while ensuring a more cost-efficient yet technologically competitive position in the market. The collaboration also reflects the intention to develop AI-enhanced techniques to accelerate the discovery, development, and validation of new materials to increase the sustainability of the semiconductors value chain.
"AI positions us at the threshold of a new industrial revolution, with a very significant potential impact in terms of productivity gains for a large number of economic sectors and in providing better public services to our citizens," said the minister José Luis Escrivá. "The Government of Spain is promoting a useful and ethical development of the opportunities offered by this technology. IBM, with its experience, knowledge, and resources, is an excellent partner to accompany us in our vision."
"IBM shares this bold vision to accelerate the Government of Spain's AI strategy and to be the national AI partner for Spain," said Darío Gil, IBM SVP and Director of IBM Research. "We will leverage IBM's deep investments across the entire AI stack, from compute to models, we will enable an open community to drive the full potential of AI technologies.&nbsp;Together, we will work to foster the responsible use of AI to drive sustainable growth in Spain, and all Spanish speaking countries worldwide."
Spanish is the second leading spoken language in the world (6.2% of the world's population1). One of the priority areas under this MoU is to collaborate in a leading suite of foundation models, including both large language models (LLMs) and small language models (SLMs), proficient in the Spanish language and co-official languages. Creating models that are entirely designed in Spanish will enhance AI sustainability by reducing biases and providing competitive alternatives for the Spanish industry. These models will be refined using advanced tuning and alignment techniques, encompassing innovative methods that facilitate direct community enhancements and foster an ecosystem of AI creators and builders, utilizing assets developed through this collaboration.
Recent advances in generative AI and AI supercomputing hold tremendous promise for governments and economies who can realize the productivity gains enabled by these technologies. With this collaboration, the Government of Spain is taking decisive action to seize this opportunity with timely and transformative commitments to invest in the AI revolution.
The coordination within the government institutions in this field will facilitate both widespread use of AI across national, regional, and local economies, as well as the timely and sufficient resources needed to build competitive advantages within a rapidly evolving AI-driven commercial landscape. This includes investment in human capital (upskilling and tooling) and community-driven adoption of AI to ensure that the productivity benefits and economic gains can positively impact across the economy of Spain, from small-medium sized businesses (SMBs) to large enterprises and the public sector.
Taking this into account, the Memorandum of Understanding is based on five principles;
<ol>
<li>Promote the development of a suite of foundation models, including both large language models (LLMs) and small language models (SLMs), proficient in the Spanish language and co-official languages.</li>
<li>Collaborate on the research and development of a full stack generative AI platform, including software built on open-source frameworks and tools as well as infrastructure enabling hardware diversity.</li>
<li>Promote national and regional AI strategies through a cooperative approach that promotes a responsible use of the foundation models and the associated generative AI platform. This collaborative effort aims to benefit the public sector and&nbsp;SMEs throughout Spain.</li>
<li>Foster an ecosystem of AI creators and builders, utilizing assets developed through this collaboration, to establish Spain as a global leader in AI.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Develop AI-enhanced techniques to accelerate the discovery, development, and validation of new materials to advance the sustainability of the semiconductor industry value chain.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
An additional priority described under this memorandum is to collaborate on the research and development of AI technology for supercomputing applications.

Contracts

IBM And The Government Of Spain Collaborate To Advance National AI Strategy And Build The World's Leading Spanish Language AI Models

European stock ETFs are higher following the ECB's meeting and rate decision.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/spains-high-court-suspends-209-mln-fines-apple-amazon-amid-appeal-2024-02-08/#:~:text=MADRID%2C%20Feb%208%20(Reuters),Amazon%20spokesperson%20said%20on%20Thursday.

Spain's High Court Suspended $209M Fines On Apple, Amazon Pending Appeal

Grifols S.A. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GRFS#NASDAQ">GRFS</a>), the Barcelona, Spain-based pharmaceutical company, saw its shares plummet by 24% on Tuesday. This marked the company&#8217;s most significant single-day drop since <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/01/36553854/grifols-stock-tanks-short-seller-accuses-of-overstating-profits-concerning-allegations-about-fina">its initial public offering. </a>
The cause? A bombshell short report released by Gotham City Research that accused Grifols of serious accounting irregularities, bringing into question its stock value.
Gotham City Research, known for its forensic financial analysis, had been scrutinizing the operations of Grifols SA since last spring. Over nine months, the firm dug deep into the company&#8217;s financials, uncovering what they describe as a troublesome &#8220;pattern of behavior.&#8221;
&#8220;We believe shares are uninvestable, likely zero,&#8221; the report affirmed. 
The Grifols debacle has cast a shadow over the wider Spanish stock market. The company, known for blood-related medicines, significantly underperformed compared to European peers during today&#8217;s session. 
The iShares MSCI Spain ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EWP#NYSE">EWP</a>) has seen a decline of 1.9% as of this writing. 
Chart 1: Grifols&#8217; Share Price Movement After Gotham City&#8217;s Short Report
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="495" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/09112843/GRFS_2024-01-09_15-28-26_db594-1024x495.png" alt="" class="wp-image-177420" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/09112843/GRFS_2024-01-09_15-28-26_db594-1024x495.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/09112843/GRFS_2024-01-09_15-28-26_db594-300x145.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/09112843/GRFS_2024-01-09_15-28-26_db594-768x372.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/09112843/GRFS_2024-01-09_15-28-26_db594-1536x743.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/09112843/GRFS_2024-01-09_15-28-26_db594.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grifols Chart Reveals Further Downside Ahead</h2>
The Gotham report triggered a significant sell-off in Grifols&#8217; shares as investors grappled with the potential implications.
Tuesday&#8217;s downturn marked a significant deviation in Grifols&#8217; share price trajectory, halting the steady upward channel it had maintained since mid-October 2022. 
The stock has now dropped to a low not seen since April 2023. Notably, previous dips to similar levels have typically aligned with a deeply oversold condition on the Relative Strength Index (RSI), an indicator that has yet to signal such a state in this instance. 
Moving forward, the $6.50 price point stands out as the critical support level to monitor closely.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="495" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/09130758/GRFS_2024-01-09_17-07-44_32f17-1024x495.png" alt="" class="wp-image-177488" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/09130758/GRFS_2024-01-09_17-07-44_32f17-1024x495.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/09130758/GRFS_2024-01-09_17-07-44_32f17-300x145.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/09130758/GRFS_2024-01-09_17-07-44_32f17-768x372.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/09130758/GRFS_2024-01-09_17-07-44_32f17-1536x743.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/09130758/GRFS_2024-01-09_17-07-44_32f17.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gotham&#8217;s Allegations</h2>
The report accuses Grifols of inflating its EBITDA, manipulating debt levels, and engaging in tunneling transactions — a process where assets and profits are siphoned out for the benefit of insiders, at the expense of the company and its shareholders. 
They allege that Grifols, together with related family entities like Scranton Enterprises NV, has been involved in undisclosed loans and share pledges, which have been used to paint a misleadingly robust picture of the company&#8217;s leverage, suggesting it may be understated by as much as 46%.
&#8220;Both GRF and Scranton Enterprises (a Grifols family vehicle) fully consolidate BPC + Haema onto their financial statements. This treatment is materially deceptive and incorrect,&#8221; Gotham City Research wrote. 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Numbers</h3>
According to Gotham City Research &#8220;Grifols understates its debt burden and is, therefore, materially more levered than the company indicates.&#8221;
Gotham&#8217;s investigation suggests that Grifols&#8217; actual debt could be closer to EUR 8.9 billion, significantly higher than the reported EUR 8 billion. 
They estimate that the company&#8217;s leverage is not the reported 6x, but could be alarmingly between 10x to 13x. 
If these claims are substantiated, Grifols could face drastically higher financing costs, potentially pushing the company into an unsustainable financial position.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Shares Are Potentially &#8216;Worthless&#8217;</h3>
Despite 20 buy ratings from analysts, Gotham City Research paints a dire picture of a company whose EBITDA margins have been in decline for the past 11 years, even as its net debt has quadrupled since 2012.
They draw parallels with NMC Health plc, a company that also went on a debt-fueled acquisition spree before accounting scandals led to its bankruptcy.
The report concludes that Grifols&#8217; shares may be uninvestable and potentially worthless. 
Furthermore, it warns that if Grifols were to pay interest rates commensurate with the actual level of leverage, its cash flows would be insufficient to cover the debt, hinting at a possibility of insolvency or severe dilution of equity.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Grifols SA: Scranton and the Undisclosed Debts for the full report &#8211; <a href="https://t.co/0Cp9za9Svx">https://t.co/0Cp9za9Svx</a> <a href="https://t.co/HDPPQxtU5q">pic.twitter.com/HDPPQxtU5q</a>
&mdash; Gotham City Research (@GothamResearch) <a href="https://twitter.com/GothamResearch/status/1744611322900500931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grifols Refutes Gotham City Research Claims</h2>
Grifols S.A. responded to allegations made by Gotham City Research in a Tuesday&#8217;s press release, firmly stating their awareness of what they consider to be false information and speculations circulating about their accounting and financial disclosure practices. 
The pharmaceutical giant has actively engaged with the Spanish regulatory authorities, submitting two formal statements to clarify its position. 
Grifols also expressed perplexity over Gotham City Research&#8217;s interpretation of their financial data, suggesting that the research firm&#8217;s motive, as a fund focused on short-selling, might be to manipulate the market for profit. 
This accusation points to a contentious section on page 2 of Gotham City Research&#8217;s report, where the firm seemingly acknowledges a vested interest in the decline of Grifols&#8217; share price. This development adds a new layer of complexity to the unfolding narrative, indicating a potential conflict of interest that could be influencing the public perception of Grifols&#8217; financial health.
Now Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/01/36553854/grifols-stock-tanks-short-seller-accuses-of-overstating-profits-concerning-allegations-about-fina">Grifols Stock Tanks, Short Seller Accuses Of Overstating Profits, Concerning Allegations About Financial Health</a>
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Short Seller's Bombshell Report Rattles Grifols: Stock Chart Points To Potential Further Decline

<a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3621110/statement-from-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-on-ensuring-freedom-of-n/" title="https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3621110/statement-from-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-on-ensuring-freedom-of-n/">https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3621110/statement-from-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-on-ensuring-freedom-of-n/</a>
Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain

iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund

Secretary of Defense Austin Announced Multination Coalition To Ensure Freedom of Navigation in the Red Sea

The U.S. stock market wasn&rsquo;t the only one to rally in 2023, and many U.S.-based investors would have found it beneficial to diversify their portfolios with global stocks and ETFs from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-emerging-markets-etfs" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">roaring emerging market economies.</a>
Venturing thousands of miles south of the American continent and crossing the Atlantic, three stock market indexes emerged as standout performers, surpassing not only the S&amp;P 500 represented by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>), which gained 14% so far this year, but also the tech-dominated Nasdaq 100 represented by the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which achieved its best half-year performance with a remarkable 34% year-to-date rally.
Benzinga delved into the top-performing Country ETFs for 2023, evaluating their returns and their respective best-performing stocks. It is essential for U.S.-based investors to note that although these ETFs trade in U.S. dollars on U.S. exchanges, they are not currency hedged. Hence, their performance is exposed to local currency&rsquo;s fluctuations relative to the U.S. dollar.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Performing Country ETFs For 2023</h2>
5) iShares MSCI Poland ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EPOL#NYSE">EPOL</a>)
<ul>
<li>Description: The EPOL ETF tracks the performance of Polish companies, providing exposure to the Polish stock market by replicating the MSCI Poland IMI 25/50 Index. The fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in the securities of the underlying index and in American Depositary Receipts (&ldquo;ADRs&rdquo;) and Global Depositary Receipts (&ldquo;GDRs&rdquo;).</li>
<li>Year-to-date performance (as of June 27): 23%</li>
<li>Quarter-to-date performance: 23%</li>
<li>Local currency performance against USD (year to date): 8%</li>
<li>Best-performing stocks (ytd): Santander Bank Polska S.A. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BKZHF#OTC">BKZHF</a>) (+48.9%), Grupa Pracuj S.A. (+38%).</li>
</ul>
4) iShares MSCI Mexico ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EWW#NYSE">EWW</a>)
<ul>
<li>Description: The EWW ETF offers exposure to the Mexican stock market, allowing investors to participate in the performance of Mexican companies by replicating the MSCI Mexico IMI 25/50 Index. The fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in the securities of the underlying index and in ADRs and GDRs.</li>
<li>Year-to-date performance (as of June 27): 28%</li>
<li>Quarter-to-date performance: 5.7%</li>
<li>Local currency performance versus USD (ytd): 14%</li>
<li>Best-performing stocks (ytd): Alsea, S.A.B. de C.V. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALSSF#OTC">ALSSF</a>) (+56%), CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CX#NYSE">CX</a>) (+50%)</li>
</ul>
Read also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-performing-mutual-funds" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"> 5 Best Performing Mutual Funds Right Now</a>
3) Global X MSCI Greece ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GREK#NYSE">GREK</a>)
<ul>
<li>Description: The GREK ETF tracks the Greek stock market, providing investors with access to Greek companies by replicating the MSCI All Greece Select 25/50 Index. The fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in the securities of the underlying index and in ADRs and GDRs.</li>
<li>Year-to-date performance (as of June 27): 35%</li>
<li>Quarter-to-date performance: 18.7%</li>
<li>Local currency performance versus USD (ytd): 3%</li>
<li>Best-performing stocks (ytd): Aegean Airlines (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AEGN#OTC">AEGN</a>) (+96%), Piraeus Financial Holdings (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BPIRY#OTC">BPIRY</a>) (+86%)</li>
</ul>
2) Global X MSCI Argentina ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARGT#NYSE">ARGT</a>)
<ul>
<li>Description: The ARGT ETF allows investors to gain exposure to the Argentine stock market by replicating the MSCI All Argentina 25/50 Index. The fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in the securities of the underlying index and in ADRs and GDRs.</li>
<li>Year-to-date performance (as of June 27): 35%</li>
<li>Quarter-to-date performance: 17.4%</li>
<li>Local currency performance versus USD (ytd): -30%</li>
<li>Best-performing stocks (ytd): Empresa Distribuidora y Comercializadora Norte Sociedad An&oacute;nima (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EDN#NYSE">EDN</a>) (+100%), IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad An&oacute;nima (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IRS#NYSE">IRS</a>) (+85%)</li>
</ul>
1) Global X MSCI Nigeria ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NGE#NYSE">NGE</a>)
<ul>
<li>Description: The NGE ETF focuses on the Nigerian stock market, offering investors access to Nigerian companies by replicating the MSCI All Argentina 25/50 Index. The fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in the securities of the underlying index and in ADRs and GDRs.</li>
<li>Year-to-date performance (as of June 27): 41%</li>
<li>Quarter-to-date performance: 18.3%</li>
<li>Local currency performance versus USD (ytd): -42%</li>
<li>Best-performing stocks (ytd): Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (+203%), Access Holdings Plc (+102%)</li>
</ul>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Country ETF</th>
<th>% Return (year to date)</th>
<th>% Return (quarter to date)</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Global X MSCI Nigeria ETF</td>
<td>40.9</td>
<td>18.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Global X MSCI Greece ETF</td>
<td>35.3</td>
<td>18.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Global X MSCI Argentina ETF</td>
<td>34.6</td>
<td>16.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>iShares MSCI Mexico ETF</td>
<td>27.8</td>
<td>5.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>iShares MSCI Poland ETF</td>
<td>23.2</td>
<td>23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>iShares MSCI Ireland ETF ARCA: EIRL)</td>
<td>23.1</td>
<td>2.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>iShares MSCI Spain ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EWP#NYSE">EWP</a>)</td>
<td>18.4</td>
<td>2.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>iShares MSCI Italy ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EWI#NYSE">EWI</a>)</td>
<td>17.9</td>
<td>4.5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EWT#NYSE">EWT</a>)</td>
<td>17.7</td>
<td>4.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>iShares MSCI Brazil ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EWZ#NYSE">EWZ</a>)</td>
<td>17.3</td>
<td>19.9</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Now Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/23/06/33022480/its-a-bear-market-fomo-bubble-in-early-stage-of-collapse-warns-hedge-fund-manager-w">It&rsquo;s A Bear Market FOMO Bubble In Early Stage Of Collapse, Warns Hedge Fund Manager Who Foresaw 2008 Crisis</a>
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Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

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ARGT

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iShares MSCI Poland Investable Market Index Fund ETF

EPOL

GREK

MELI

These 3 Debt-Burdened Nations Lead 2023's Best Country ETFs, Surpassing Nasdaq 100

LYFT

Spain Set To Impose New Restrictions On Ride-Hailing Drivers

As the first quarter of 2023 is coming to an end, now is an opportune time to assess the stock market performance of different countries.
The U.S. stock market, as represented by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (ARCA: SPY), ranks only 22nd in the top performing country ETFs&nbsp;list, posting&nbsp;a quarterly total return of about 6%.
Let&#39;s take a look at the quarterly performance of the best and worst performing country ETFs worldwide.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-etfs" target="_blank">Best Exchange Traded Funds</a>
5 Worst-Performing&nbsp;Country ETFs&nbsp;In Q1 2023
5) iShares MSCI Israel ETF (ARCA: EIS)
<ul>
<li>The major stock market ETF in Israel&nbsp;has fallen 4% in the quarter ending March 2023, ranking as the fifth-worst country ETF so far this year.&nbsp;</li>
<li>The worst contributor to the index performance was Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication ADR&nbsp;(OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bzqiy#OTC">BZQIY</a>), which fell 30% year to date.</li>
</ul>
4) iShares MSCI UAE ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/uae#NASDAQ">UAE</a>)
<ul>
<li>The iShares MSCI UAE ETF, which seeks to track an index composed of UAE equities, is down 6.7% in Q1 2023 and still trades 25% lower than a year ago.</li>
<li>The worst contributor to the performance of the UAE ETF was First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC, down 21% year-to-date, which is traded on&nbsp;the domestic exchange.</li>
</ul>
3) iShares MSCI INDIA&nbsp;ETF (BATS: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/inda#BATS">INDA</a>)
<ul>
<li>The iShares MSCI India&nbsp;ETF&nbsp;slipped 7.2% year to date, ranking as the third-worst country ETF.</li>
<li>Reliance Industries Ltd. (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/rlniy#OTC">RLNIY</a>) was the fund&#39;s poorest contributor, down 13% year to date while accounting for around 10% of its holdings.</li>
</ul>
2) iShares MSCI Turkey ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tur#NASDAQ">TUR</a>)
<ul>
<li>The iShares MSCI Turkey ETF was the second worst-performing country ETF in Q1 2023, delivering a negative return of 12%. But, the ETF is 63% higher compared to a year ago, mainly due to the currency effect.</li>
<li>The main contributor to the negative performance of the index was Hektas Ticaret T.A.S., which is only traded in the Istanbul Stock Exchange and is down 23% in the quarter.</li>
</ul>
1)&nbsp;VanEck Egypt Index ETF (ARCA: EGPT)
<ul>
<li>The VanEck Egypt Index ETF was the worst-performing country ETF in Q1 2023, returning a negative 16%. The Egyptian stock market is also down 18% from a year ago.</li>
<li>EFG-Hermes Holding SAE GDR&nbsp;(OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/efgzf#OTC">EFGZF</a>) was the main negative contributor to the overall performance, falling 30% year to date.</li>
<li><img alt="" src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/u1363475/egpt_2023-03-30_20-36-02_a4471.png" style="height:500px; width:100%" /></li>
</ul>
5 Best-Performing&nbsp;Country ETFs&nbsp;In Q1 2023
5)&nbsp;iShares MSCI Germany ETF (ARCA: EWG)
<ul>
<li>The iShares MSCI Germany ETF returned 13% in the quarter, ranking as the fifth best-performing country ETF worldwide.</li>
<li>The main contributor to the positive performance of the fund was SAP SE (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sap#NYSE">SAP</a>), which has risen 19% this quarter.</li>
</ul>
4)&nbsp;iShares MSCI Spain ETF (ARCA: EWP)
<ul>
<li>A fund that tracks the performance of most-capitalized Spanish equities posted a quarterly return of 15.2%.</li>
<li>The main contributors of the performance were the two largest banks in Spain: Banco Santander&nbsp;SA&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/san#NYSE">SAN</a>) up 20.5% year-to-date, and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, SA&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bbva#NYSE">BBVA</a>), up 15%.</li>
</ul>
3) Global X MSCI Argentina ETF (ARCA: ARGT)
<ul>
<li>The Global X MSCI Argentina ETF increased by 17.9% in the quarter, thus outperforming significantly compared to SPY, which is likely to have surprised many market analysts given Argentina&#39;s chronic debt crisis.</li>
<li>The best-performing Argentinian stock was MercadoLibre&nbsp;Inc&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/meli#NASDAQ">MELI</a>), also known as the &quot;Amazon of South America,&quot;&nbsp;which rose 50% in the quarter and alone added 11 percentage points to the overall ETF performance.</li>
</ul>
2)&nbsp;iShares MSCI Ireland ETF (ARCA: EIRL)
<ul>
<li>The Irish equity market is the second-best performer among global country ETFs, and the first in the European continent, posting an 18% performance in the quarter.</li>
<li>The betting company Flutter Entertainment ADR&nbsp;(OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pdypy#OTC">PDYPY</a>) was the main contributor to the index performance, after rising 27% year to date.</li>
</ul>
1) iShares MSCI Mexico ETF (ARCA: EWW)
<ul>
<li>The iShares MSCI Mexico ETF has been the best performing country ETF in 2023, returning 18.2% in the first quarter of the year.</li>
<li>Given its large weight (14%) in the portfolio, American Movil&nbsp;SAB&nbsp;de CV ADR&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/amx#NYSE">AMX</a>) was the major contributor to the Mexican stock market&#39;s success, after rising 9% year to date.</li>
</ul>
<img alt="" src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/u1363475/ewg_2023-03-30_20-38-38_781ef.png" style="height:500px; width:100%" />
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/23/03/31518782/its-not-tesla-meta-or-nvidia-the-best-performing-large-cap-stock-in-2023-is-a-crypto-play" target="_blank">It&#39;s Not Tesla, Meta Or Nvidia &mdash; The Best Performing Large-Cap Stock In 2023 Is A Crypto Play</a>
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5 Best And Worst Performing Country ETFs For Q1 2023: A Defaulting Country's Stock Market Beats S&P 500

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