Emerging Europe Economics Update Ukraine’s private debt a bigger risk than its public debt There are rising concerns about the sustainability of Ukraine’s public debt and the possibility that the government may be forced to default. We agree that Ukraine’s public finances are in a mess... 21st August 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russia: still struggling at the start of Q3 July’s activity data will do little to ease concerns about the outlook for Russia’s economy. Industrial production accelerated a little and agricultural production strengthened on the back of this... 19th August 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Q2 GDP data show recovery in CEE losing momentum Softer growth across much of Central and Eastern Europe in Q2 is likely to be attributed to spillovers from the crisis in Ukraine but, while this may have weighed on business confidence in some... 14th August 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Turkish slowdown to trigger further pressure for rate cuts Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s election victory and intrigue about the composition of the government have dominated the headlines in Turkey. But the fact that the economy has slowed sharply over the past few... 13th August 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russia: a better Q2, but Q3 could bring further weakness After a torrid Q1, the Russian economy performed a little better in Q2. Although growth slowed a touch in annual terms, output appears to have grown over the quarter. Nonetheless, the respite is... 11th August 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Erdogan presidency means more of the same for Turkey’s economy Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared that his victory in yesterday’s presidential election marked a ‘new era’ for Turkey. But for the economy it is likely to mean more of the same. The economic imbalances... 11th August 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Q2 GDP data to show Central Europe’s recovery losing steam The raft of second quarter GDP data due to be published next week is likely to show that the recovery in Central and South Eastern Europe lost steam. Worryingly, having made a bright start to Q2... 8th August 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russia’s import ban likely to backfire The economic impact of Russia’s decision to ban imports of some foodstuffs from the EU, the US and other western countries is extremely uncertain, but it seems likely that the biggest loser will be... 7th August 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Three scenarios for Russia’s economy The deepening political crisis between Russia and the US/Europe means that the uncertainties attached to economic forecasts are even greater than usual. In these circumstances it makes more sense to... 6th August 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Romanian MPC flags up prospect of further rate cuts Governor Isarescu opened the door to further interest rate cuts in Romania at today’s post-MPC meeting press conference. Much will depend on inflation data for July and August, due to be released... 4th August 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Manufacturing PMIs point to a soft start to Q3 July’s manufacturing PMIs from Emerging Europe were, in aggregate, a little better than June’s figures. But they were still weaker than their average over the first half of the year. What’s more, much... 1st August 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update How and where the latest sanctions will hit the Russian economy The latest package of sanctions adopted by the EU and the US against Russia will affect the economy in different ways. In the short-term, restrictions on access to western capital markets for selected... 31st July 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Czech National Bank extends FX intervention pledge The Czech MPC struck an even more dovish note at today’s post-meeting press conference. Policymakersextended their pledge to intervene in the FX market to prevent the koruna from appreciating beyond... 31st July 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Markets shrug off latest standoff with Russia The renewed violence in eastern Ukraine, the imposition of fresh sanctions by the US and the threat of further moves by the EU have weighed on Russian equities. But the recent falls haven’t been as... 28th July 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Surprise Russia rate hike a response to geopolitics not inflation Russia’s central bank justified its surprise decision to hike interest rates this morning on stubbornly high inflation, but it’s pretty clear that this is a pre-emptive move to limit capital outflows... 25th July 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update How big a threat are financial sanctions for Russia? The possibility that the EU might follow in the steps of the US and restrict access to capital markets for some Russian firms, coupled with Moscow’s decision this week to cancel another government... 24th July 2014 · 1 min read
