Hungary's CPI falls to 4.2% in April as food price controls take effect

War is a growing concern across Europe – Statista

VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day, is celebrated on May 8 each year to mark the formal end of World War II in Europe, reports Statista.

Czech industry output increases by 1.4% y/y in March

Czech industrial production increased by 1.4% year-on-year and by 0.4% month-on-month in March (chart), driven by electricity production and maintaining the growth trajectory.

Czech National Bank cuts by 25bp as easing cycle comes to an end

The Czech National Bank reduced its base interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.5% on May 7, marking its fourth consecutive rate cut and signalling that the easing cycle is nearing its end, ING said in a note on May 7.

Hungary’s retail recovery slowed in March despite government intervention in food prices

Hungary’s retail sector lost some momentum in March, with sales volumes falling 0.5% from the previous month despite the government-introduced profit margin cap in effect from the middle of the month.

Investment plans of German-owned companies slump to post-crisis low

Hungary’s German business community is growing increasingly pessimistic, with corporate investment sentiment hitting its weakest level since the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.

Poland’s NBP cuts key rate by 50bp to 5.25% in first easing move 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.

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).

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.

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).

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.

Slovak unemployment drops to 3.72% in March

Slovak unemployment slightly dropped to 3.72% in March, down by 0.07 percentage point from February and by 0.16 pp from March 2024, while the number of unemployed persons was the lowest on record since 1993.

Polish industrial production disappoints with expansion of just 2.5% y/y in March

Slovak GDP improves to 2.1% in 2024 after revision

Slovakia’s gross domestic product performance improved to 2.1% growth in 2024, following the spring revision of GDP growth in the years 2021-2024 released by the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic.

Poland’s core inflation rate holds steady at 3.6% y/y in March

Poland’s core inflation, an indicator that measures price growth excluding movement in prices of food and energy, came in at 3.6% y/y in March (chart) after posting the same reading in February, the National Bank of Poland said on April 16.

Polish inflation rate confirmed at 4.9% y/y in March

Although inflation remains above the National Bank of Poland’s target range of 1.5%-3.5%, the continued stability in price growth so far in 2025 has shifted the central bank’s monetary policy outlook.