Data
Poland’s NBP cuts key rate by 50bp to 5.25% for first time since 2023
The National Bank of Poland (NBP) has cut its reference interest rate by 50bp to 5.25% - the first reduction in two years - on May 7
Poland’s unemployment rate inches up 0.1pp y/y to 5.2% in April
The unemployment rate in Poland increased minimally by 0.1pp y/y to come in at 5.2% in April, the Ministry of Family and Social Policy said in an estimate on May 6.
BioNTech boss ranked second on Forbes’ richest Turks list
Ugur Sahin and wife and business partner Ozlem Tureci became weathly thanks to a COVID vaccine.
Russia’s service sector PMI stagnate at 50.1 in April for a second month
Business activity in Russia’s private sector showed signs of stagnation in April, with services growth flatlining and manufacturing output continuing to decline, according to the latest PMI data released by S&P Global.
Albanian lek hits record high against euro
Lek soars against the European single currency, boosted by seasonal inflows from tourism, rising foreign investment and Albania’s tight fiscal policy,
_1746535478.png)
Czech inflation slows down to 1.8% y/y in April, flash estimate shows
Growth of the consumer price indices slowed down to 1.8% year on year and dropped by 0.1% month on month in April (chart), according to the flesh estimate released by the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO).
Moldova's government hopes for 2% economic growth this year
Moldovan government's projection is more optimistic than recent estimates from international financial institutions.
Turkey’s inflation dips further to 37.9% in April
But not according to independent economists. They say the headline rate increased to 80% from 75% in March.
Russian manufacturing downturn eases with PMI of 49.3 in April, slightly up from March, but still underwater
Slowdown in output and new sales was attributed to continued subdued demand in both domestic and international markets.
_10_1746512042.jpg)
PMI shows ongoing expansion in Kazakh manufacturing sector in April
Business activity said to remain in the optimistic zone, but the index has declined to a 14-month low.
Poland’s manufacturing conditions improve for third consecutive month in April but outlook weakens
Poland's Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) eased by 0.5 points to 50.2 in April (chart), the economic intelligence company S&P Global said on May 2.
Global press freedom indicator slips – Statista
This year's World Press Freedom Index highlights the economic situation of journalists and media organizations being a major risk to press freedom.
_1746341874.png)
Czech PMI inches up to 48.9 in April
The seasonally adjusted Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), compiled monthly by the market intelligence company S&P Global, posted 48.9 in April (chart).
PMI shows Turkish manufacturing stayed in doldrums in April, but some signs of improvement noted
Rate of input cost inflation quickened to fastest for a year amid currency weakness and higher raw material costs
Turkey’s reserves head to minus territory, lira flat and bond yields break records
Economy experiencing unprecedented portfolio outflows described by one analyst as almost apocalyptic.
Turkey ranked 17th largest military spender in 2024 by Sipri
9% annual rise in global spending steepest recorded since at least end of Cold War.
_1746012966.png)
Czech economy grows by 2% in Q1, according to preliminary estimate
Czechia's gross domestic product grew by 2% year on year and by 0.5% quarter on quarter in the first quarter of this year (chart), according to the preliminary estimate released by the Czech Statistical Office.
Hungary’s economy contracts in Q1, casting doubt on government’s growth targets
Hungary’s economy stagnated in Q1 2025 and fell 0.4% year on year (chart) according to seasonally adjusted data, dealing a blow to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s earlier pledges of a growth “explosion” at the start of the year.
Sharp drop in Polish inflation paves way for rate cut at next central bank meeting
A sharper-than-expected fall in Polish inflation has increased the likelihood that the National Bank of Poland will resume interest rate cuts at next week’s policy meeting.
Falling Polish interest rates will squeeze banks' income
Two dozen Polish banks will need to seek new sources of income and diversify their portfolios in 2025 as falling interest rate squeeze their net interest income, the Polish Bank Association warned, PAP reported on April 29.