Data
Kazakhstan’s services sector cools to weakest pace since March, PMI shows
Business confidence hits 28-month low. Companies cautious with new tax rules on horizon.
Thailand’s monetary easing cycle set to stretch into 2026
According to projections from the Bank of Thailand, as the central bank grapples with faltering growth, external headwinds and limited inflationary pressure, the nation’s policy of monetary easing is likely to continue past the new year into 2026.
Turkey's official inflation creeps up to touch over 33% y/y in September
Central bank wants figure below 30% by year's end.
Ukrainian ports hit wartime record in container handling
Ukrainian ports processed 134,191 TEU in 8M25, more than during the whole of 2024, according to the Association of International Freight Forwarders of Ukraine.
Iran's central bank plans major currency intervention as rial tanks
Iran's Central Bank plans major currency supply intervention in Tehran and Dubai unofficial markets next week to reduce dollar rate from current IRR1.175mn level.
$2.74bn knocked off Uzbekistan's current account deficit in first half
Officials credit big improvement in trade balance and larger flows of remittances in explaining turnaround.
Annual inflation in Uzbekistan drops 0.8 pp to 8% in September
Both food and non-food prices up 6.1% year-to-date.
Marked fall in output hit Kazakhstan’s manufacturing in September, PMI shows
New orders, however, return to growth.
Poland’s PMI rises 1.4 points to 48 in September
Business conditions in Poland’s manufacturing sector continued to deteriorate in September, S&P Global said on October 1.
September PMI confirms Turkish manufacturers have struggled with rough times for year and half
Challenging demand environment meant month brought slowdowns in new orders and exports and a solid scaling back of production.
Russian manufacturing PMI slump deepens in September as new orders and exports tumble
Russia’s manufacturing sector deteriorated further in September, marking the fourth consecutive month of contraction, as both domestic and foreign demand weakened, S&P Global reported on September 30.
Polish population to shrink by 6.6mn by 2060
Last year’s decline in births already confirmed that Poland is in a demographic crisis.
Moldova’s economy turns to growth in Q2, helped by investments
Upturn follows three-quarter recession prompted by last year's poor harvest.
Polish inflation rate remains steady at 2.9% y/y in September, flash estimate shows
September's flash reading is below the market consensus, which expected an expansion of 3% y/y, as fuel price rises were offset by more favourable food prices.
COMMENT: Thailand’s baht appreciation a symptom of underlying malaise
Economic fundamentals in Thailand hardly justify a stronger currency. Growth has been tepid, inflation low, and interest rates insufficiently active to pull in speculative capital both at home and from overseas.
Kosovo Business Alliance warns diaspora investments locked in non-productive real estate
Business representatives say €9bn real estate investments are “dead capital” that generate neither jobs nor economic growth.
EBRD cuts Ukraine’s 2025 growth forecast to 2.5% amid war uncertainty
Ukraine’s economy is projected to expand by 2.5% in 2025, down from a previously forecast 3.3%, as the ongoing war with Russia weighs on investment and trade, the EBRD said.
Russia draft 2026 budget cuts military spending for the first time, introduces new taxes
Russia’s Ministry of Finance presented the 2026-2028 budget that keeps spending flat, introduces new taxes to fund a ballooning budget deficit and cuts military spending for the first time in three years.
_5_1758717169.png)
Russian banks’ August profits halve on higher reserves and weaker interest income
Russian banks posted sharply lower monthly profits in August as higher loan-loss provisions and weaker interest income weighed on earnings, the Central Bank of Russia said.
_0_1758601464.jpg)
Japan’s Nikkei hits record high as LDP leadership race starts
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei index closed at a historic high on September 22, supported by expectations of economic stimulus as the contest for leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party formally got underway.