Emerging Europe Economics Update Has Russia won its battle with inflation? Despite repeated warnings from Russia’s inflation hawks, price pressures in Emerging Europe’s largest economy have continued to abate. We expect disinflationary forces to dominate for a while... 8th July 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Is there a silver lining to the euro crisis? Today’s news that Hungarian industrial production grew by a massive 5.4% m/m in May could be another sign that a weaker euro is actually helping manufacturers in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). But... 7th July 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update IMF deal a tentative step in the right direction for Ukraine The financial markets’ luke warm endorsement of Ukraine’s new IMF deal is probably justified. While a new IMF programme is good news in theory, in practice its success will depend on whether or not it... 5th July 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update PMIs remain consistent with further gains in industry The latest manufacturing PMIs from across Emerging Europe suggest that the impressive rebound seen in the industrial sector will continue over the coming months. However, with domestic demand still... 1st July 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Taking stock of a tough first half for equities A sharp sell-off over the past few days has capped a tough first half of the year for the region’s equity markets. The good news is that valuations now look cheap, pointing to a period of... 1st July 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Turkish recovery leading the way Q1 2010 GDP data from Turkey reaffirm our view that it will be the best performing economy in the region over the next year or so. However, while the pace of recovery should continue to impress in the... 30th June 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Constitutional Court deals blow to Romania’s fiscal cutbacks This morning’s ruling by the Romanian Constitutional Court against planned cuts to state pensions deals a blow to the government’s austerity programme. While much remains uncertain, it seems unlikely... 25th June 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update The real lessons from the Baltic squeeze If the recent experience of the Baltic States offers any lessons for policymakers in the West it is that aggressive fiscal consolidation at a time when the private sector is also retrenching is likely... 23rd June 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Hungary holds rates once again, but still no hikes in sight There are increasing signs that Hungarian policymakers have reached the end of the monetary easing cycle. But with the economy facing a tough time over the coming years, inflation pressures will be... 21st June 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Markets still overstating pace of tightening (Jun 10) Marek Belka was recently sworn in as the new President of the National Bank of Poland, and his impressive credentials as a former head of the IMF’s European Department make him a safe pair of hands... 18th June 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russian reforms a small step in the right direction In a speech to the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum this morning, President Medvedev unveiled a series of market-friendly reforms including changes to the capital gains tax regime and a... 18th June 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Region’s banks still facing a tough time Our latest ‘Heat Map’ suggests that pressures on the region’s banks have eased in recent months. Capital levels have been rebuilt and loan to deposit ratios are falling. But familiar vulnerabilities... 16th June 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Is Romania on the brink of another political crisis? The Romanian government looks set to scrape through tomorrow’s no-confidence vote, thus averting a fresh political crisis and keeping relations with the IMF on track for now. But with the vote... 14th June 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Franc’s surge a reminder of fragility of East Europe’s banks The recent surge in the Swiss franc has rekindled fears over the health of Eastern Europe’s banking sector. As it happens, the bulk of foreign currency lending in the region has taken place in euros... 11th June 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Hungary still walking a fiscal tightrope The announcement of a renewed fiscal squeeze in Hungary should help to ease market fears of a ‘Greek style’ crisis in the country. But the policies unveiled earlier today sidestep the underlying need... 8th June 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Turkey to stay ahead of the pack The bulk of the region is now experiencing a strong rebound in manufacturing, with Slovakia and Turkey at the head of the pack and Romania lagging behind. The key, however, is whether the recovery in... 8th June 2010 · 1 min read
