Emerging Europe Economics Update Czech stimulus starts, what next? Czech policymakers have finally responded to the deteriorating growth outlook by cutting interest rates to a record low today. But with little scope for more conventional policy stimulus, we think... 28th June 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Weaker Polish data could bring rate cuts back onto agenda Signs that the Polish economy is slowing should quell calls for rate hikes over the coming months. But growing troubles in the euro-zone mean that interest rate cuts are likely to come back on to the... 26th June 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Turkish MPC eases slightly, but rates to remain high The Turkish MPC shifted slightly towards easing mode at today’s meeting. Nonetheless, with the current account deficit still large and a sharp rise in short-term external debt, we expect monetary... 21st June 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Hungary and the IMF revisited With attention fixed on every twist and turn in Hungary’s talks with the IMF, it’s easy to forget why the government first raised the prospect of assistance nine months ago. In short, while the fiscal... 21st June 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russia: growth probably slowed in Q2 Relative to the rest of the region the Russian economy remains in a decent shape, but the first signs of a slowdown are starting to appear. Our estimates suggest that growth eased to around 4.0-4.5% y... 21st June 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russia's crisis package underlines dependency on oil revenues The $40bn crisis package that press reports suggest is being prepared by the Russian government should allay fears of a repeat of 2008-09, when the Kremlin was accused of being behind the curve in the... 19th June 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update The PMI puzzle Manufacturing PMIs in Central Europe have weakened significantly over the past couple of months as the economic outlook has darkened. The one crumb of comfort, however, is that they have not fallen as... 19th June 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Inflation falling in Eastern Europe Headline inflation fell pretty much everywhere in Emerging Europe in May on the back of easing food and energy inflation. Moreover, with the possible exception of Turkey, underlying price pressures... 13th June 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Is Latvia a model for the euro-zone’s periphery? It is probably too soon to judge whether or not Latvia’s internal devaluation has been a success. But the early signs do not suggest that it provides a model for the euro-zone’s crisis-hit periphery... 13th June 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Q1 GDP data show fragility of domestic demand Final Q1 GDP data for Central and South Eastern Europe show that the slowdown across the region was driven by weaker domestic demand, with the exception of Slovakia. Meanwhile, exports proved... 8th June 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update How vulnerable is Russia? Compared to 2008-09, Russia is now less vulnerable to financial contagion as a result of a fresh shock to the global economy (most notably from the euro-zone). But at the same time, Russia’s economy... 7th June 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Euro-crisis taking a heavy toll on Emerging Europe’s industry May’s manufacturing PMI data provide further evidence – if any were needed – that the euro-crisis is hitting the economies of Emerging Europe. Industry already appears to be in recession in much of... 1st June 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Poland resilient to euro-crisis but not immune First quarter GDP confirmed what we’ve known for a while: Poland is more resilient than her peers to the crisis in the euro-zone, but equally she is not immune. And with the euro-crisis deepening, a... 31st May 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update What can policymakers do to limit financial contagion? There are several ways that, in theory, policymakers in Emerging Europe could limit any financial contagion arising from a disorderly break-up of the euro. But in practice, we suspect that building... 31st May 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update External financing risks resurface for Hungary and Turkey Policymakers in both Hungary and Turkey kept rates on hold today, but clearly talk of looser policy to support growth is premature. 29th May 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update The economic impact of Euro 2012 The Euro 2012 Football Championships, which are due to start next month in Ukraine and Poland, are an exception to the general rule that major sporting tournaments do not tend to have a significant... 28th May 2012 · 1 min read
