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
Emerging Europe Chart Pack Caught in the crossfire Emerging Europe’s financial markets have been battered over the past month amid growing fears of a disorderly Greek exit from the euro-zone. Equities are down by around 10% in most of the region... 24th May 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Weak zloty a cause for concern, but shouldn’t justify rate hikes The recent sell-off in the zloty will make it harder for the Polish government to keep public debt from breaching constitutionally mandated ceilings. In the extreme, policymakers face the risk of... 24th May 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Forint slump to trigger renewed talk of IMF deal The latest slump in the Hungarian forint has taken the currency to below 300/€ – the rate that, on past form at least, has triggered a response from the authorities. This time around, the response... 23rd May 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russia: April data still strong, but a slowdown imminent The raft of activity data released today showed that the Russian economy made a decent start to Q2, with consumers remaining the main engine of growth. Meanwhile, the new cabinet, also announced today... 21st May 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Emerging Europe’s currencies caught in the crossfire The growing risk of Greece leaving the euro-zone has taken a heavy toll on Emerging Europe’s currencies. Most are now back at their lows seen in the autumn of last year. Looking ahead, there is... 18th May 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Will the rally in Bucharest office yields be reversed? The compression in office yields in Bucharest seen over the past two years is hard to reconcile with weak financial service sector activity, and the implied weakening in occupier demand. Therefore, we... 18th May 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Policymakers have little room for manoeuvre This week’s dismal first quarter GDP data will sharpen the debate over whether policymakers in Emerging Europe should pursue austerity or focus on growth. But in reality, while there is scope for one... 17th May 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Greek exit risks revisited With a few notable exceptions, Emerging Europe’s direct exposure to Greece is small. But the contagion from a disorderly Greek exit from the euro-zone would have disastrous consequences for the region... 15th May 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Q1 GDP data just the tip of the iceberg The raft of Q1 GDP data released today show that output in large parts of Emerging Europe was contracting even before the most recent escalation of the euro-crisis. 15th May 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Turkey’s rebalancing more difficult from now on Today’s balance of payments data from Turkey show that the current account deficit continued to narrow in March. It now looks like the economy is around half way through the rebalancing needed to... 11th May 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Q1 GDP data should impress – but can it last? The raft of Q1 GDP data due to be released over the coming weeks will confirm that, having been on the brink of a crisis towards the end of last year, most economies in Emerging Europe have since... 10th May 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update RICS Global Survey too upbeat on Polish and Czech rental values Last week’s Q1 2012 RICS Global Survey revealed a divergence in surveyors’ expectations for commercial property rental growth in Emerging Europe. We agree that the outlook is brightest in Russia and... 10th May 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Is this Poland’s “ECB moment”? The post-MPC press conference did not provide much clarity on whether this morning’s surprise hike in Polish interest rates was a one-off event or the start of a new tightening cycle. On balance, we... 9th May 2012 · 1 min read
