Data
Ukraine central bank keeps 2019-2020 inflation forecast unchanged at 6.3% falling to 5%
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) kept unchanged its consumer inflation forecast of 6.3% YTD for 2019 and 5% YTD for 2020, according to its quarterly inflationary report published on February 7.
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Czech unemployment increased by 3.3% in January 2019, still the lowest in past 22 years
Unemployment rate in the Czech Republic swelled to 3.3% in January from 3.1% in December, due to typical seasonality during winter months, according to the Czech Labour Office data released on February 8. “The situation on the labour market has been
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Russian central bank keeps monetary policy rate on hold at 7.75%, outlook for modest rises in inflation in 2019
Analysts are divided over where inflation will go in 2019 and hence if the Central Bank of Russia will return to its monetary easing or tighten again.
Slovakia to be among fastest-growing OECD countries in 2019
OECD forecasts 4.5% GDP growth this year, as significant new capacity in the automotive sector boosts exports.
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Russia’s inflation accelerated to over 5% for the first time in two years
Russian inflation accelerated in January to bring the annualised rate from 4.3% at the end of 2018 to over 5% for the first time in two years.
Romania’s retail sales up 5.5% y/y in 2018
The growth of sales was driven by higher wages, higher employment and more abundant consumer lending.
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Russia’s services PMI index rose again to 54.9 points in January
However, the the combination index that includes manufacturing production fell to 53.6 points in January from 53.9 points in December, IHS Markit reported.
Turkey’s Real Effective Exchange Rate declines in January
REER is latest Turkish indicator to go through a data series revision that happens to improve the country’s economic readout.
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More controversy as Rosstat upgrades Russian GDP growth to a six-year high
Further questions were raised over the veracity of the Russian State Statistical Service's results after it upgraded its estimates of growth in the construction sector leading to a revision of 2018 GDP growth from 1.6% to 2.3%.
Latvian economy expands 5.5% y/y in Q4
The result shows the Latvian economy maintained its adjusted annual growth rate seen in the third quarter.
Lithuanian GDP growth pushes to 3.6% y/y in Q4 and 2018 alike
Growth benefitted from “solid domestic consumption, active investments and surprisingly strong external sector in a wake of slowing global growth,” according to Swedbank.
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Russia’s manufacturing PMI treads water in January, but producers are optimistic
The seasonally adjusted IHS Markit Russia Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index showed industry at 50.9 in January, only just above the 50 no-change mark.
Polish economy grows 5.1% in 2018 but slowdown looming this year
The full year result beats the revised 4.8% growth recorded in 2017 and arrives on the back of healthy household consumption – an effect of a very tight labour market – and a recovery in investment.
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) kept the monetary policy interest rate on hold at 18%, says inflation to fall to 6.3% in 2019
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) kept the monetary policy interest rate on hold at 18% at its regular meeting on January 31, after the central bank had hiked the rate three times last year to battle persistent inflation.
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Retail turnover flat in Estonia in December
The turnover of retail trade companies remained flat year-on-year in Estonia in December (measured in constant prices), at €667.9mn, Statistics Estonia said on January 30.
HEATMAP: Russia and Ukraine battle it out for title of most corrupt country in Europe
Russia recaptured the dubious title of “most corrupt country in Eastern Europe” after it slipped three places in this year’s Transparency International Corruption Perceptions index, falling to 138th place out of 180 countries.
M&A soars in Balkan “rising stars”
The volume and value of M&A deals both soared in some of the EU accession candidate countries in the Western Balkans, a report from law firm CMS and information service EMIS.
Real wage growth slows to 9.7% y/y in December
Real wages in Ukraine grew 9.7% y/y in December, slowing from a 11.4% y/y surge in November, the State Statistics Service reported on January 28.
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Russian bank assets up 10.4% as loans grow 13.9% in 2018, banking sector recovery continues
The CBR has published its FY18 banking sector statistics. Assets grew 10.4% y/y, supported by a 13.9% expansion of the loan portfolio. Profit increased 70% y/y to RUB 1.3 trillion, with an implied ROE of 15% vs. 9% in 2017.
Russian food retail turnover growth accelerates 210bp to 5.3% y/y in 4Q18
The market leader X5 Retail Group's share was up to 11.8% for 2018, Rosstat reported.