Data
Romania’s CFA Society confidence index improves but outlook remains bleak
Romania’s macroeconomic confidence index (chart), compiled by CFA Society Romania, increased by 2.3 points month on month to 40.4 in January. Despite this improvement, it remained below the neutral 50-point threshold.
Borsa Istanbul extends short selling restriction to avoid collapse
Local investors, who dominate the highly manipulated market, have turned to deposits and money market funds. There are no IPOs in the pipeline.
Singapore’s lender OCBC warns of slower loan growth in 2025 after missing profit estimates
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp, Singapore’s second-largest lender, has forecast a slowdown in loan growth for 2025 following a weaker-than-expected rise in fourth-quarter earnings.
Turkey confirms it expects 1.3 bcm of Turkmen gas flows by end-2025
Country continues to push its ambition to become a gas re-export hub, but if sanctions on Russia are lifted amid a deal on Ukraine, that hope could fall apart.
US Treasury targets Iran's National Oil Co. CEO in new sanctions push
The United States imposed a fresh wave of sanctions on Iran’s oil sector, targeting over 30 individuals and tankers, including the CEO of the National Iranian Oil Co. (NIOC), for facilitating the sale and transportation of Iranian crude.
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.
Trust in Zelenskiy jumps to 65% following Trump’s comments, but still trails General Zaluzhnyi
Public trust in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has jumped to 65%, up from 57% in January, after US President Donald Trump claimed that his popularity was only 4% and called him a “dictator” without legitimacy.
The war in Ukraine has reduced inequality and made Russian society fairer, poll shows
The three-year war in Ukraine has improved the structure of Russian society and reduced social and income inequality, Russians believe for the first time ever, the state-owned Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM) found in a recent survey.
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.
North Macedonia surpasses €1bn in FDI for the first time
Increase reflects North Macedonia’s growing appeal as a destination for high-tech manufacturing and sustainable energy solutions.
Gold hits new record as global prices surge while dollar spikes in Iran
Gold prices in Iran spiked due to the weakening rial exchange rate against the US dollar on February 20.
Serbia's central bank forecasts 4.5% GDP growth in 2025
Automotive sector to buoy economy in 2025 after Serbia achieved one of the fastest growth rates in Europe last year.
Uzbekistan: Shadow economy responsible for generating over one-third of GDP
Officials use indirect methods to look at the unobservable.
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.