Emerging Europe Economics Update Hungary cuts rates but further easing likely to be limited The National Bank of Hungary’s surprise decision to cut interest rates today suggests that further easing could be on the way. But unless and until an IMF/EU deal is agreed, anything more than a... 28th August 2012 · 1 min read
Non-Euro Europe Commercial Property Chart Pack Emerging Europe – at a turning point? Norway and Sweden continue to ride out the euro-zone crisis relatively well. But the picture in Emerging Europe is less bright. The Czech and Hungarian economies both contracted in Q2, while the pace... 24th August 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economic Outlook Region’s star performers set to lose their shine The slowdown in Emerging Europe in recent months is a sign of things to come, and we expect a number of countries to spend the next year in recession. The most obvious concern on the horizon remains... 23rd August 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russian slowdown starting to spread beyond industry July’s activity data, released earlier today, suggest that the Russian economy slowed further at the start of Q3 and may now be growing at around 3% y/y – down from rates of close to 5% in the first... 20th August 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Next big move for the ruble will be down The ruble has been on a rollercoaster ride of late, falling by 10% against its dollar/euro basket in May, before clawing back around 5% of its losses over the past few weeks. If nothing else, this... 17th August 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update No need to worry about food inflation just yet The pick-up in food inflation in Emerging Europe is likely to raise fears that the recent spike in global agricultural prices is starting to hit the region. There is a fair amount of uncertainty, but... 14th August 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Fiscal austerity bites in Hungary and the Czech Republic Today’s Q2 GDP data paint a picture of weakening growth, with Hungary joining the Czech Republic in recession. For now, the drop in output in both countries seems to have been driven as much by... 14th August 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Romanian political tensions put FX reserve buffers at risk The National Bank of Romania (NBR) appears to have stepped up intervention in the FX market to defend the leu following the recent bout of political turmoil. For now, FX reserve coverage looks... 13th August 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Growth slows in the Baltic States Q2’s GDP data provide the first sign that the impressive bounce in growth in the Baltic States is coming to an end. Growth decelerated in Latvia and slowed to a crawl in Lithuania and Estonia. A... 10th August 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russian bank turns hawkish despite slowdown in growth The slowdown in Russian GDP growth in Q2, though modest, is likely to be a sign of things to come. Accordingly, speculation that the Central Bank may soon hike interest rates seems premature. 10th August 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Can the bond rally last? Emerging European bonds have rallied over the past couple of months. In the case of Hungary and Turkey we are doubtful that it can be sustained, but in the Czech Republic and Poland, it may have... 9th August 2012 · 1 min read
Non-Euro Europe Commercial Property Outlook Investor appetite for Emerging Europe to stay soft The euro-zone crisis already appears to be having a detrimental impact on economic growth across the rest of Europe and over the next two years, most non-euro-zone economies will experience a period... 8th August 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Focus Playing the long game We are among the most bearish forecasters on the near-term prospects for Emerging Europe and expect the region to underperform the rest of the emerging world over the next couple of years. But looking... 8th August 2012 · 1 min read
No respite in sight The short-term outlook for economic growth across the euro-zone is poor. All member states are likely to contract in 2013, if not 2012. The recession in the euro-zone will also act as a major drag on... 6th August 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Czech Bank could cut rates once more this year Although the Czech National Bank (CNB) left interest rates on hold today, we think the weakness of the economy could prompt one further 25bp rate cut before the end of this year. 2nd August 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Why Latvia is not a blueprint for the euro-zone's periphery Despite the fact that Latvia’s economy has returned to growth, it is still far from clear that it has undergone the necessary “internal devaluation” required to fully restore competitiveness. What’s... 1st August 2012 · 1 min read