Data
Russia's CBR defies IMF, keeps rate flat, ends cutting cycle
The board of the Central Bank of Russia resolved to keep the key interest rate unchanged at 4.25% at the first policy meeting of 2021 held on February 12. This makes it the fourth time in a row that the CBR has kept the rate flat.
Bulgaria’s industrial production falls 3.3% y/y in December
Production was affected the coronavirus pandemic and the tough restrictions imposed by the government to contain the spread of the virus.
IMF says CBR has room to cut 50bp off interest rates this week
Economists at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) say that the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) has room to cut 50bp off interest rates to boost growth in the coming months despite surging inflation.
Poland’s recession “one of the world’s mildest”, PM Morawiecki boasts
The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic-induced recession in Poland is one of the “mildest in the world,” the Polish Prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on February 9.
Romania’s exports strengthen in Q4 after three quarters of decline
1.3% rise in exports in 4Q20 wasn't strong enough to offset the sharp contraction of exports during the lockdown.
Polish wages grow 5% y/y in Q4
Outlook for the job market and for further wage growth is improving following weeks of near-complete lockdown.
46% of Bulgarian companies cut investment during coronacrisis
Investment strategies of Bulgarian companies have been substantially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with 46% of them investing less than planned, an EIB survey shows.
Albania has Europe’s lowest minimum wage
Minimum wages were considerably lower in the four Western Balkan states that have set minimum wages than in most EU member states.
Putin’s popularity holds steady in face of protests, but Russians divided on Navalny
Two polls from independent pollster the Levada Center found that Russian President Vladimir Putin's approval rating has held steady despite nationwide protests, while the bulk of the population are indifferent to Alexey Navalny's fate.
Slovenia’s consumer prices continue to fall in January
Lower fuel and energy prices the main contributor to Slovenia's annual deflation.
Moscow’s Watcom shopping index gets off to its worst start on record in 2021
Russia’s Watcom Shopping index got off to its worst start on record during the first three weeks of 2021.
Second lockdown causes Croatia's biggest dip in labour demand since May 2020
Demand for labour fell by 33% y/y in January despite need for more healthcare and construction workers.
Turkey’s official inflation rate creeps up again but analysts doubt rate rise is ahead
Capital Economics anticipates benchmark rate will be left on hold at 17% for rest of year.
Montenegro’s budget deficit at 9.8% of GDP in 2020 as spending jumps on coronacrisis
Montenegro's budget deficit soared past government's projections as the country suffered one of the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in the region.
Russia’s economic recovery underway as all three PMI indicators go comfortably into the black
Russia, PMI January 2021, Russia’s economic recovery underway as all three PMI indicators go comfortably into the black again
Turkey's auto sales gain 60% y/y in January
In 2020, country’s automotive production declined 11% y/y to 1.3mn units while imports jumped 54% y/y to around 430,000.
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Russia finished 2020 with a milder than expected 3.1% contraction
Russia finished 2020 with a milder than expected 3.1% contraction, according to preliminary data from the Economics Ministry released on February 1.
Putin’s popularity slumps to 53% in wake of Navalny demonstrations
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s popularity slumped to 53%, according to the state-owned pollster, the Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VTsIOM), in the wake of a brutal crackdown by police on weekend demonstrations
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Turkey’s January manufacturing PMI shows output, new orders and exports returned to growth
Index moves up to 54.1 from 50.8 in December. Raw material shortages meant inflationary pressures remained marked.
Tighter restrictions dragged down Croatia's retail trade in December
Fall in both annual and monthly terms as new restrictions to contain COVID-19 were imposed in December.