Emerging Europe Economics Update Revisiting the risks from populism Concerns about the emergence of economic populism in Central and Eastern Europe are on the rise once again. This is already weighing on local financial markets and, although it’s not likely to have an... 17th June 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russian MPC resumes easing cycle The decision by Russia’s central bank to cut its benchmark one-week repo rate by 50bp to 10.50% today was a close one but, having decided to start easing policy once again we think that interest rates... 10th June 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Revisiting the EU’s sanctions on Russia The EU’s sanctions on Russia are due to expire in July and, while it is most likely that they will be renewed, it is possible that this comes alongside a broad timetable for scaling them back subject... 9th June 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Slump in investment dragged growth down in Q1 The breakdown of Q4 GDP data for Central and South Eastern Europe confirmed that the slowdown in growth at the start of the year was the result of a drop in fixed investment, most likely caused by... 7th June 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Inflation prospects diverge as currency and oil price slumps unwind The unwinding effects of big exchange rate falls on import prices will continue to drive down inflation in a number of major EMs over the coming months. In those EMs that haven’t experienced a great... 26th May 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russia’s Eurobond reveals sanctions premium Russia's first Eurobond issue in three years showed that Western sanctions are no longer preventing the government from raising funds overseas – but by the same token, the amount raised ($1.75bn) was... 25th May 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Hungary ends easing cycle, Turkey’s has further to run Having cut its policy rate by 15bp to 0.90% earlier today, the National Bank of Hungary’s MPC used the accompanying press release to comment that interest rates would now be left unchanged. In... 24th May 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update What would Brexit mean for Eastern Europe? With one month to go to the UK’s referendum on whether to remain in or leave the EU, concerns are growing in some quarters that a “Brexit” vote could harm Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). As things... 23rd May 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russian reforms to remain difficult, despite Kudrin’s return The appointment of well-respected former Finance Minister, Alexei Kudrin, as the Deputy Head of the President’s Economic Council has revived hopes that Russia could be set for a new wave of... 16th May 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update C&SEE GDP growth slower, but still strong, in Q1 The flash Q1 GDP data for Central and South Eastern Europe (C&SEE) to be released later this week and next week are likely to point to growth of 3-3.5% y/y in most countries. Those rates would be... 10th May 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Romanian MPC remains cautious, Czech MPC stays dovish The Romanian MPC once again sounded relatively hawkish at this afternoon’s press conference, and we remain comfortable with our view that monetary policy will be tightened later this year to take some... 5th May 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Likely resignation of Turkey’s PM raises authoritarianism fears Reports that Turkey’s Prime Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, is likely to quit his role amid growing tensions with President Erdogan will reinforce concerns about the shift towards increasingly... 5th May 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russian MPC more dovish, but rate cuts still some way off The statement by the Russian central bank following its decision to leave the one-week repo rate on hold today was dovish, but less so than what the markets seem to have expected. The Council’s... 29th April 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Hungary’s MPC a little more cautious, but further rate cuts likely The statement accompanying today’s MPC meeting in Hungary was a little more cautious than we had expected, but even so, with inflation likely to stay subdued and growth weakening, we think there’s... 26th April 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Turkish bond market rallies It’s been a good month for Turkish financial markets. The lira and equities have strengthened. And the surprisingly sharp fall in inflation last month allowed the central bank to ease monetary policy... 26th April 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Currency effects begin to unwind The effects of sharp falls in EM exchange rates since 2014 – which pushed inflation up to multi-year highs in a number of major economies – are now starting to fade. Assuming there isn’t another big... 26th April 2016 · 1 min read
