An S&P study showed that the EMU Peripheral countries are rapidly rebalancing their economies with exports leading the way, except in Greece. Unit labor costs are declining to more competitive levels, particular in Ireland. The rating agency expects Spain, Portugal & Ireland to achieve 2013 current account surpluses, which could be the key to an early GDP recovery despite some heightened challenges that lie ahead. Overall, the study found Rebalancing Progress Metric (RPM) scores much higher in 2012 vs. 2011, which in general is a positive.