Emerging Europe Economics Update A more challenging second half of the year The latest batch of activity data suggests that growth in Central Europe may be losing steam. Coming alongside signs that the German economy is also losing momentum, this suggests that the pace of the... 9th July 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Polish price pressures weak, but don't point to outright deflation Recent concerns about the risk of deflation in Poland have prompted the National Bank to raise the possibility of a cut in interest rates later in the year. As it happens, most indicators of... 8th July 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Private sector debt still a major concern in parts of the region Domestic demand has been subdued across much of Emerging Europe over the past five years in part due to the fact that households and firms have been deleveraging following the credit boom of the past... 7th July 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update What more can the Czech National Bank do? The Czech National Bank (CNB) struck a dovish note at last week’s MPC meeting and is clearly concerned about the threat of deflation. For now, we suspect that the Bank is unlikely to take further... 4th July 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Polish monetary policy to remain extremely supportive The National Bank of Poland’s MPC struck a dovish note at this afternoon’s post-meeting pressconference, with Governor Belka flagging the possibility of an interest rate cut in the coming months... 2nd July 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update June PMIs suggest Central Europe’s recovery is losing steam Last month’s manufacturing PMI data for Emerging Europe were disappointing. The recovery in Central Europe appears to have lost momentum in Q2, while the data provide further evidence that the Turkish... 1st July 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Czech MPC strikes a dovish note Having kept interest rates on hold earlier today, the Czech MPC maintained its dovish stance at the post meeting press conference. Given the subdued outlook for inflation, monetary conditions are... 26th June 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Ukraine’s economy remains fragile despite positive political steps A series of conciliatory remarks from both the Russian and Ukrainian authorities in recent days has given rise to hopes that tensions in Eastern Ukraine may start to ease. But despite promising signs... 25th June 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Recent increase in oil price poses little threat to EM inflation The recent increase in oil prices is unlikely to have much of an impact on EM inflation, which in most places looks set to remain fairly benign. 24th June 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Interest rates in Hungary to remain low Having cut its benchmark interest rate earlier today, the National Bank of Hungary gave a pretty clear signal in the accompanying communiqué that further rate cuts are on the cards and that monetary... 24th June 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Markets shrug off Poland’s political scandal The muted reaction in the financial markets to the scandal currently engulfing the Polish government is testament to the economy’s underlying strength as well as the quality of the country’s... 24th June 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Bulgarian bank failure puts region’s lenders back in spotlight The nationalisation of the troubled Bulgarian bank, Corporate Commercial Bank, over the weekend has put attention back onto Emerging Europe’s fragile financial sector. Given the rise in non-performing... 23rd June 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russian economy on course for another disappointing quarter May’s raft of Russian activity data suggests that, following a weak Q1, the economy hasn’t made a meaningful recovery in Q2. The rebound in the manufacturing sector has continued to gain momentum, but... 20th June 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Hungary’s consumer boom built on weak foundations The strength of the recovery in Hungarian consumer spending has taken many, ourselves included, by surprise and retail sales are now rising at their fastest pace in a decade. However, this has been... 19th June 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Recovery in Russian markets continues Emerging European equities have rebounded over the past month, driven by Russian stocks. However, this has merely recouped losses seen earlier in the year. Looking ahead, we’re relatively downbeat on... 18th June 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russia leaves rates on hold as another "gas war" looms The Central Bank of Russia was never likely to alter interest rates at its meeting today – while the economy remains weak, high and rising inflation limits the room for policy support. Meanwhile, news... 16th June 2014 · 1 min read