Podcast Summary: Hoy por Hoy – "Las 7 de Hoy por Hoy | El BBVA fracasa en su intento de hacerse con el Sabadell"

Date: October 17, 2025
Host: Àngels Barceló & Editorial Team
Podcast: SER Podcast

Main Theme

This episode centers on the failed takeover of Banco Sabadell by BBVA, a major setback in the Spanish banking sector. The hosts delve into the implications for both banks, the broader economic and political landscape, and also cover significant international developments, legal and social news in Spain, and cultural tips for the weekend.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Economic News: BBVA Fails to Acquire Sabadell

• Timeline and Outcome

  • [00:11] "Fue anoche cuando la Comisión del Mercado de Valores confirmó el resultado negativo de una OPA que ha durado 17 meses..."
  • BBVA’s bid for Sabadell falls short with only 25% shareholder acceptance—below the required 30%.
  • BBVA President Carlos Torres concedes defeat soon after the results become public.

• Market Reactions & Immediate Consequences

  • [01:05] In the US, BBVA shares jump nearly 7% upon news.
  • [01:05] “Lo que hará BBVA es aprovechar el dinero que no va a tener que destinar a la OPA sobre el Sabadell a pagar más a sus accionistas…”
  • BBVA to resume share buyback programmes; signals shift away from pursuing other acquisitions.

• Reactions & Analysis

  • [01:44] Celebration among Sabadell supporters: “El Govern habla de mirar hacia adelante y se muestra satisfecho…”
  • Catalan business leaders and Vice President Yolanda Díaz express relief, calling OPA a bad deal.
  • [02:23] Economic analyst Joaquín Robles calls it “más un duro golpe psicológico” for BBVA, having failed twice to acquire Sabadell.
    • “Una entidad que ha intentado comprar otra en dos ocasiones y ha fracasado…” [02:23]

2. International Affairs

a) U.S., Russia & Ukraine Diplomacy

• [02:40] Major diplomatic developments: Zelensky to meet Trump at the White House to discuss further military aid to Ukraine, specifically Tomahawk missiles.
• [02:59] Putin warns Trump that missile delivery would harm U.S.–Russia relations, leading to Trump’s sudden hesitance.
• [03:22] New summit between Trump and Putin set for Budapest, with the stated goal of negotiating an end to the Ukraine war.
  • [04:00] “Ambos acordaron un encuentro la próxima semana entre el secretario de Estado, Marco Rubio y el ministro de Exteriores, Sergui Lavrov…”
  • Biden is notably absent; Viktor Orban’s Hungary chosen as the venue.

b) Tensions in Venezuela

• [04:51] Trump’s administration accuses Venezuela of facilitating drug trafficking; U.S. navy strikes suspected narco-boats in the Caribbean.
• [05:18] Civil society in Venezuela arms up; U.S. air patrols near oil platforms stir invasion rumors.
• [05:48] Modesto Emilio Guerrero (analyst): “EEUU tiene que calcular que no puede fallar… La falla técnico militar se multiplica en la dimensión política…”
• [06:08] Rumors swirl about secret negotiations between Venezuela’s vice president and the U.S. to oust Maduro, which Delcy Rodríguez publicly mocks.

3. Spanish Political & Judicial Developments

• Case Coldo & Political Fallout

  • [06:46] Supreme Court judge keeps Coldo García free, finding no grounds for preventative detention.
  • [07:05] The PP party leverages the judge’s language for political attack, as Feijóo claims “los españoles tienen estupor…”
  • [07:21] Government and PSOE accuse rivals of distraction tactics ahead of Sánchez’s Senate appearance on October 30.

• Corruption & Partisan Tension

  • [07:50] “El Gobierno denuncia que el PP quiere usar la citación de Sánchez el día 30... para tapar sus vergüenzas, aseguran fuentes gubernamentales.”

4. Featured National Headlines

• Investigation into Isaac Andic’s Death

  • [08:40] After being previously closed, police now consider Mango founder’s demise a potential homicide, with his son under investigation.

• Accusations of Sexual Misconduct in Toledo

  • [08:58] Errant email about a priest’s sexual abuse allegations stirs outrage among parents; incidents occurred outside the school but were sent in a bulletin.

• State Appeal in Ana Duato’s Case

  • [10:04] The State Attorney challenges the acquittal of actress Ana Duato, deeming court’s earlier handling paternalistic.

5. Regional Curiosities and Community News

• Slingshot Championship in Zaragoza

  • [10:44] First national and regional competition in El Burgo de Ebro with a €500 prize.

• Santa Cruz de Tenerife’s Monument Debate

  • [11:43] Proposals to replace a Franco statue range from Batman to a giant snail, even a local 'Mount Rushmore' with regional heroes.

• Auction of Police Car

  • [12:40] Second-hand police car with evident past fetches €4,000 at auction.

• Emu Causes Accident in Gran Canaria

  • [13:18] Escaped emu (endangered, native to Australia) results in a traffic incident, sparks investigation on animal permits.

6. Cultural Recommendations

• Film and Series Premieres
  • [14:16] Highlight: "Un simple accidente" by Jafar Panahi, black comedy about facing torturers under the Iranian regime.
    • "Un canto a la justicia alejado de la venganza y con mucho humor negro." [14:24]
  • [14:43] "La cena" – Spanish historical comedy with Mario Casas and Alberto Sanjuán.
  • [14:59] "La deuda" – Drama about housing evictions and social injustice.
  • [15:14] "Caza de brujas" – Julia Roberts stars in a psychological trilogy on the #MeToo movement.
  • [15:28] "La vida de Chuck" – Horror, adaptation of various Stephen King stories by Mike Flanagan.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On BBVA’s Failed OPA:

  • "La CNMV ha publicado el resultado de la oferta de BBVA a los accionistas de Banco Sabadell. Finalmente, la operación no seguirá adelante porque no se ha alcanzado el nivel mínimo de aceptación que habíamos fijado." – Host, [00:33]
  • "Es más un duro golpe psicológico. Una entidad que ha intentado comprar otra en dos ocasiones y ha fracasado." – Joaquín Robles, [02:23]

• On Venezuela Tension:

  • "EEUU tiene que calcular que no puede fallar… La falla técnico militar se multiplica." – Modesto Emilio Guerrero, [05:48]

• On Spanish Political Cynicism:

  • "El Gobierno denuncia que el PP quiere usar la citación de Sánchez... para tapar sus vergüenzas." – Reporter paraphrasing government sources, [07:50]

• Humorous Local Debates:

  • "En vez de Abraham Lincoln a un ex presidente del gobierno regional. Esta es la idea que han tenido algunos de los vecinos…" – On Santa Cruz de Tenerife's alternative monument suggestions, [11:52]

Timestamps for Main Segments

• BBVA & Sabadell OPA: 00:11–02:40
• US–Russia–Ukraine Diplomacy: 02:40–04:47
• Venezuela–US Escalation: 04:51–06:46
• Spanish Politics/Judiciary: 06:46–08:40
• Investigation News: 08:40–10:04
• Regional Curiosities: 10:44–14:07
• Cultural Recommendations: 14:16–15:36

This episode blends rigorous economic analysis with political insight and lighter, quirky news from across Spain. It's a window into national and international developments, Spanish society, and contemporary culture with the trademark lively, witty tone of Hoy por Hoy.