Emerging Europe Economics Update Q3 GDP surprises on upside but twin speed recovery still likely The raft of third-quarter GDP data released this morning generally surprised on the upside. Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic all expanded at a faster pace than expected, while Romania... 12th November 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Turkey: widening imbalances are the risk, not slowing growth Data showing that Turkish industrial production fell in September grabbed a few headlines earlier this week. This is perhaps understandable given that manufacturers have so far led the recovery. But... 10th November 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Poland: gearing up to hike interest rates It is now more likely than not that Polish policymakers will start to raise interest rates later this month. But we doubt that this will signal the beginnings of a sustained tightening cycle. 8th November 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Will the G20 agree to current account targets? The G20 Summit in Korea next week (11th – 12th) will be overshadowed by the fall-out from “currency wars”, hampering any attempt at the improved coordination of policies necessary to help rebalance... 5th November 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Should we worry about inflation expectations in Poland? There is little evidence to back up claims by some policymakers in Poland that interest rates should be raised in order to contain inflation expectations. In fact, doing so could entail some... 5th November 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Baltic states struggling to shift growth models The worst of the financial crisis in the Baltic states has clearly passed. But with the region finding it difficult to shift to an export-led growth model, there are legitimate concerns over the... 4th November 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Industry makes a good start to Q4 Manufacturing PMIs strengthened across most of the region in October and continue to point to industrial production growth of between 10-15% y/y over the coming months. But manufacturers in the region... 2nd November 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Polish policymakers not yet ready to raise rates Today’s decision to keep Polish interest rates unchanged and raise reserve requirements instead reflects an attempt to tighten monetary conditions without attracting an influx of foreign capital... 27th October 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Central Bank of Turkey turns even more dovish The outlook for Turkey remains amongst the best in the region, but policymakers at the central bank (CBRT) are still in no mood to raise interest rates. 26th October 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russia to get a near-term boost from higher oil prices In light of the recent upward revision to our near-term profile for oil prices, we have pushed up our Russian growth and inflation forecasts for 2011. But the economy remains vulnerable to the fall in... 21st October 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Polish prospects picking up, but challenges remain The outlook for Poland remains amongst the best in the region, and we now expect the economy to expand by 3% next year (from 2.5% before). But with further steps needed to tackle the large structural... 20th October 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Region's banks over the worst, but vulnerabilities remain Our latest ‘Heat Map’ suggests that pressures facing the region’s banks have continued to ease in recent months. But while the worst of the crisis is now behind us, familiar vulnerabilities persist... 19th October 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Turkey steps up its 'exit strategy' (Oct 10) It has been a long time coming, but policymakers in parts of the region are gearing up to begin tightening monetary policy. The Central Bank of Turkey accelerated its so-called ‘exit strategy’ from... 18th October 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Hungarian fiscal efforts do not go far enough The Hungarian government last night announced a fresh set of fiscal austerity measures, which should allow it to at least come close to meeting next year’s budget deficit target of 3% of GDP. But its... 14th October 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Rising Czech inflation doesn't warrant higher interest rates Last month’s pick-up in inflation in the Czech Republic is likely to give further ammunition to the hawks on the National Bank’s (CNB’s) policymaking Board. But core price pressures remain remarkably... 11th October 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russia: crunch time approaching for the CBR Russian banks have become more willing to lend in recent months. Much still depends on oil prices, but a strengthening banking sector raises the chances that the rapid expansion of the monetary base... 11th October 2010 · 1 min read