Data
Russia’s Economic Ministry issues bleak economic stress test scenario
Russia's Finance Ministry ran an extreme stress test on the economy for this year that assumes zero growth, a weakening ruble and falling oil and gas revenues in the worst-case scenario.
Moldova’s industrial output shows signs of recovery in February
More abundant and cheaper gas this year creates opportunity for resumption of industrial activity in Moldova.
Russia’s CBR maintains key rate at 16%
The board of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) resolved to keep the key interest rate unchanged at 16% at the policy meeting on April 26, making a third meeting in a row that the rate is maintained flat.
NBU cuts rates 100bp to 13.5% on falling inflation
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) lowered the key policy rate by 100bp to 13.5% on April 25 and improved its inflation forecast as price pressure ease.
Turkey keeps policy rate constant at 50%
Central bank is, notably, no longer talking about building up its reserves in parallel with so-called monetary framework simplification policy.
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Slovak unemployment inched further down to 3.88% in March
There were 167,493 job applicants in March, which is at its lowest level since the end of 2019.
Poland’s industrial production disappoints in March as output declines 6% y/y
Poland’s industrial production fell 6% year on year in constant prices in March (chart), after a gain of 3.3% y/y the preceding month, unadjusted data from the statistical office GUS showed on April 22.
Ford drives hike in car production in Romania
Romania’s automobile production increased by 7% y/y to more than 150,000 units in Q1.
Akbank launches spring syndicated loan renewals season for Turkish banks at better costs
Benefits of Turkey’s so-called economic normalisation policy clearly observed in external debt rollovers.
Ukraine's birth rate plummets to 300-year low as country’s population collapses
Ukraine’s population collapsed to 29mn souls last year, according to Ukraine Business News, with just 187,000 births recorded (including in Russian-occupied territories). This is the lowest annual figure in recorded history over the last 300 years.
Russia’s $13.4bn current account surplus in March second highest since 2007
Russia posted a $13.4bn current account surplus in March, more than double February’s $5.5bn and the second highest level for a March since 2007.
Automotive sector output in Hungary edges up 1.6% y/y in February
Headline industrial output rose 1.8% in February, increasing for the first month in about a year.
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Slovak inflation eased further to 2.3% in March
Prices in the alcohol and tobacco sector increased by 19% y/y, including the 9.1% spike in tobacco prices as a result of the new consumption tax.
Polish inflation eases further to 2% y/y in March
The inflation rate landed within the National Bank of Poland’s target of 1.5%-3.5% for a second successive month
CEE falling inflation trend comes to an end
After spiking to 20-year highs thanks to the pandemic and Europe’s Russian induced energy crisis, inflation rates across the EU have tumbled in recent months. That trend has ended and CEE central banks are expected to hike rates again in 2H24.
Hungary’s CPI edges lower, but price pressures remain in service sector
Consumer prices in Hungary rose 3.6% y/y in March, but services' prices rose almost 10%.
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Slovak industry stagnates in February
Industrial production increased by 0.4% month-on-month.
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Czech inflation stagnated at 2% in March
Consumer price indices (inflation) in Czechia remained at 2% in March, the same year-on-year growth as in February, which is the lowest inflation rate since December 2018.
Ukraine records lowest inflation in over three years
Ukraine's inflation rate dropped to its lowest level in more than three years in March 2024, marking a significant slowdown in consumer price growth, according to data released by the State Statistics Service.
Where Nato has an enhanced forward presence
On Monday, 8 April, Germany sent an advance team of 20 soldiers to Lithuania, laying the groundwork for the recently discussed establishment of a permanent brigade in the Nato country, Statista reports.