S&P affirmed its BBB+/A2 rating for Spain,....>

SPAIN: S&P affirmed its BBB+/A2 rating for Spain, with positive outlook; it

expects Spain GDP growth "will be about 3% in 2017, and remain above the

Eurozone average over 2018-2020, and that the government's budget deficit target

of 3.1% of GDP will be met in 2017."

- "Nevertheless,in our view, tensions between the central government and the

regional government of Catalonia  could, if unchecked start to weigh on business

confidence ande investment, and could weaken Spain's growth prospects. As a

result we are affirming our sovereign credit ratings on Spain at 'BBB+/A2'." 

- They said their outlook on Spain is "positive, indicating the possibility that

we could raise our ratings on Spain within the next 18 months, if strong

economic performance and budgetary consolidation continue in line with our

expectations, monetary policy transmission improves further, or tensions within

the central government and the regional government of Catalonia subside."