Emerging Europe Economics Update Cyprus crisis could exacerbate slowdown in Russia The loss to Russian investors from the levy on Cypriot bank deposits remains uncertain, but a plausible estimate is somewhere around €5bn. This is fairly small in the grand scheme of things and the... 28th March 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Rise in inflation to be limited Emerging market inflation has risen in recent months and is set to continue along this upward path in the near future. Looking further ahead, however, weak core price pressures combined with the fact... 27th March 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update New-look Hungarian MPC resists more aggressive policy easing The fact that Hungary’s new-look MPC did not lower interest rates by more than 25bps today underlines the extent to which policymakers are constrained by the threat of a sell-off in the financial... 26th March 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Turkey's rate cut a cosmetic change Today’s cut in Turkey’s overnight lending rate is a cosmetic change, and doesn’t reflect an easing of policy. In fact, the central bank has tightened policy in recent weeks. And with domestic demand... 26th March 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Weak Polish data dent hopes of a turnaround The raft of weak activity data from Poland dents hopes that the economy turned the corner at the start of this year. With inflation set to remain below target, the National Bank is likely to resume... 22nd March 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russia: the slowdown deepens A raft of weak activity data for February puts a big dent in hopes for a rebound in the Russian economy in Q1. What’s more, there are further signs that the slowdown is being driven as much by... 20th March 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update What does the Cypriot bail-out deal mean for Russia? Russia’s financial markets have taken fright this morning following the announcement of details of the Cypriot bail-out, which looks set to hit Russian deposits there hard. But despite the fact that... 18th March 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Hungary mulls more radical policy shift The appointment of the new governor at Hungary’s National Bank has created havoc. Investors have become unnerved at the prospect of drastic measures to boost the economy, leading to a fresh sell-off... 18th March 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russian policymakers still waiting for inflation to fall The high rate of inflation continues to prevent the Central Bank of Russia from easing policy to support the slowing economy. But with inflation now close to peaking, interest rate cuts are possible... 15th March 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update First thoughts on Russia's new central bank governor The decision by President Putin to nominate his economic advisor, Elvira Nabiullina, to be the next governor of the Central Bank of Russia is a blow to hopes for a more independent monetary policy... 12th March 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Turkey's external vulnerabilities on the rise again After a steady improvement over the past year, the narrowing of Turkey’s current account deficit stalled in January. What’s more, the latest data reveal an increasing dependence on short-term or “hot”... 12th March 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Q4 GDP breakdown points to consumer turnaround The breakdown of Q4 GDP data in Central and South Eastern Europe showed encouraging (albeit tentative) signs of an improvement in consumer spending. By contrast, exports were extremely weak. Leading... 11th March 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Market rally losing steam The rally in Emerging Europe’s financial markets has lost steam over the past few weeks. In part, this is due to the re-surfacing of tensions in the euro-zone following Italy’s inconclusive general... 7th March 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Polish Bank signals end of easing cycle Today’s larger-than-expected cut in Polish interest rates means that we have probably reached the end of the easing cycle. But while some analysts are now suggesting that interest rates will be hiked... 6th March 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russian inflation close to peaking Inflation in Russia rose to an 18-month high of 7.3% y/y in February but is now close to peaking. As it falls back over the coming months, interest rates are likely to be cut. Nonetheless, the room... 5th March 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Matolcsy could turn his attention to Hungary's FX debt burden Events during the first few days of Gyorgy Matolcsy’s Governorship of Hungary’s central bank reinforce concerns about the Bank’s independence. At the very least, we are likely to see further interest... 5th March 2013 · 1 min read
