Data
Inflation in Russia has probably peaked and rate cuts may start in June, says Rencap
Inflation in Russia has probably peaked, as the annualised preliminary January rate reached 9.9%, says Renaissance Capital, and rate cuts could begin as soon as June, but that will also crash economic growth.
S&P projects 15% growth for Azerbaijan's banking sector in 2025, lifts GDP outlook
From 2021 to 2024, bank lending grew by 18%, largely driven by a surge in consumer loans.
Every third citizen in North Macedonia considering emigration
Survey by Skopje-based Institute for Political Research finds low salaries are the primary motivating force for emigration.
RENCAP: No major surprises as the Central Bank of Russia keeps rates on hold
The decision to maintain the key rate at 21% aligned with the consensus forecast. The regulator's rhetoric turned out to be slightly more hawkish than anticipated at the start of the week as inflation pressures remain.
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.
Russia’s CBR maintains key rate at 21% after putting brakes on lending
The board of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) at the policy meeting of February 14 resolved to keep the key interest rate at 21%. As followed by bne IntelliNews, this is in line with expectations.
Romania’s GDP grows 0.9% in 2024, flash estimate shows
Romania’s economy expanded by 0.9% year on year in 2024 (chart), after posting a 0.7% y/y increase in Q4, according to a flash estimate from the national statistics office.
Romania’s industrial output contracts 1.6% y/y in 2024 despite Q4 rebound
Utilities sector weighed on overall performance, while food manufacturing, chemicals and oil refining bucked the negative trend.
Azerbaijan's energy production stable as investments in Shah Deniz and ACG continue
Azerbaijan's energy sector maintained steady production in 2024, with significant investments directed toward the Shah Deniz gas-condensate field and the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli oil and gas block, according to BP report.
EU has continued to buy Russian fertilizer throughout war – Statista
The Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) has called for increased economic pressure on Russia as well as secondary sanctions on companies supporting its war efforts in a new report, released February 11.
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.
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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.
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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.
Surging financial flows in January indicate robust economic growth, says CBR
Surging financial flows in January 2025 suggest Russia’s economy is growing more strongly than recently indicated, the Central Bank of Russia said on February 7.
Iran's rial crashes from Trump "maximum pressure"
US dollar surges on the back of US President Donald Trump's latest so-called "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran's oil exports.
Turkey hikes end-2025 inflation "target" to 24% y/y
Message to market appears to be that monetary policy is not on "autopilot".
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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.