Polish GDP growth surge in Q4 confirmed

Poland's GDP growth surged to 3.7% year on year in the fourth quarter (chart), picking up after a revised gain of 2% y/y in the previous quarter, according to seasonally adjusted preliminary data released by the statistical office GUS.

Slovak unemployment inches up to 3.92% in January

The unemployment level in Slovakia (PDU indicator) continued to inch upward in January to 3.92% after it inched up to 3.81% in December. Unemployment dropped year on year by 0.05 percentage points.

Real wages in Hungary rise at fastest pace in 30 years in 2024

Gross wages in Hungary averaged HUF646,800 (€1,620) and net wages came to HUF430,100 last year, both up 13.2% year on year, according to data from the KSH.

Polish PPI moves closer to positive territory in January

Poland's producer price index (PPI) fell 0.9% year on year in January (chart), following a revised fall of 2.7% y/y in December, the country’s statistics office GUS said on January 22.

Polish industrial production declines 1% y/y in January

Poland’s industrial production contracted 1% year on year at constant prices in January (chart), after a gain of 0.2% y/y the preceding month, unadjusted data from the statistical office GUS showed on February 22.

Polish inflation unexpectedly jumps to 5.3% y/y in January

Poland’s consumer price index rose to 5.3% year on year in January (chart), up from 4.7% in December, data from the country’s statistical office GUS showed on February 15.

Polish GDP growth accelerates to 3.7% y/y in Q4

COMMENT: Upside inflation risks build across CEE

Inflationary pressures across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) are intensifying, with higher-than-expected consumer price index (CPI) data prompting a shift in monetary policy expectations across the region, says Capital Economics.

Czech January inflation confirmed to have slowed down to 2.8% y/y

Czech consumer price indices increased by 2.8% year on year and by 1.3% month on month after the Czech Statistical Office confirmed its previous y/y inflation growth estimate.

Hungary ranked most corrupt country in EU in Transparency's CPI index

Hungary has retained its ranking as the European Union's most corrupt country for the third year in a row, according to the 2024 report released by Transparency International.

Hungary's January inflation soars to 5.5%, 0.7pp above forecast

Hungary's January inflation surprised analysts by accelerating more than expected, with the annual rate jumping from 4.6% to 5.5% (chart), driven by the rise in food prices and higher tax levies.

Czech unemployment rises to 4.3% in January

Unemployment in Czechia rose to 4.3% in January, a 0.2 percentage point increase from December’s 4.1%. Altogether, 320,516 job applicants were registered with the country’s Labour Office in the traditionally high unemployment month of the year.

Slovak industry slumps by 0.7% y/y in 2024

Slovakia’s industrial output fell by 0.7% year on year in 2024 after registering a mild drop of 0.1% y/y and an increase of 1.1% month on month in December.

Czech industry deepens its slump to 1.4% in 2024

Czechia’s industrial output fell by 1.4% in 2024, in a yet deeper slump than the 0.8% registered in 2023. In December, the industry fell by 3% year on year and grew by 1.6% month on month amid a slumping car industry.

Czech National Bank returns to lowering of interest rates, by 0.25bp to 3.75%

CNB also projects the Czech economy to grow by 2% in its new macroeconomic prognosis, down from the 2.8% projected in November, and expects to cut rates further before these stabilise in mid-year.

Polish manufacturers start 2025 on slightly more upbeat note

Poland's Purchasing Managers' Index increased 0.6 points to 48.8 in January, the economic intelligence company S&P Global said on February 3 (chart).

Czech PMI improves to 46.6 in January

The figure was up on 44.8 registered in December and 46 registered in November, but still below the 50-point mark separating growth and decline, where the index has remained since June 2022.

Hungary’s economy emerges from recession in Q4 but 2024 growth disappoints

After two consecutive quarters of decline, Hungary’s economy bounced back from recession in Q4, posting 0.5% q/q growth, beating analyst consensus by 0.3pp.

Polish retail sales disappoint in December

Polish retail sales expanded 1.9% year on year at constant prices in December, well below expectations of a 3.8% annual gain.

Polish PPI eases decline rate to -2.6% y/y in December

Poland's producer price index (PPI) fell 2.6% year on year in December (chart), following a revised fall of 3.8% y/y in November, the country’s statistics office GUS said.