IMF: Precarious confidence, stability risks on the rise

In spite of 'significant efforts' the euro zone remains 'the main concern for markets' while risks for financial stability 'have increased and confidence in the system is extremely precarious', according to an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report on financial stability. The report also refers to its last analysis released a few months ago and highlights the significant outflow of capitals from debt-stricken euro zone members. From June 2011 until June 2012, Italy and Spain have suffered an out flow of investors with the intensification of the sovereign debt crisis. The outflow totalled 235 billion euros in Italy, 15% of GDP in 2011 while in Spain the outflow was worth 296 billion, or 27% of GDP. The phenomenon was particularly significant in Spain where the downgrade of the sovereign debt was followed by that suffered by businesses.