Data
Russians trade TV news for social media as war-weariness sets in
Trust in TV news is declining among Russians, as social media news gains popularity. At the same time, Russian support for the war in Ukraine appears to be slipping, as does the belief that Russia is winning a global power struggle.
Net FDI in Bulgaria jumps four times y/y through March to €1.05bn
The new government's pledged to improve the economic and political environment has yielded results despite the war in Ukraine and soaring energy prices.
Romania puzzles analysts with robust 6.5% GDP growth in Q1
Romania’s GDP increased by a real 6.5% y/y in the first quarter of the year, surprising analysts who had expected more damage from the war in Ukraine.
Poland’s GDP expands 9.1% y/y in Q1, brightening outlook for the year
Full-year economic growth forecast at around 5% despite Ukraine-driven slowdown.
Low base and pre-election handouts lift Hungary's GDP growth by 8.2% y/y in Q1
The impact of sanctions on Russia, higher financing costs and lower purchasing power amid rising inflation are likely to dent growth in the coming quarters.
Polish core inflation accelerates to 7.7% y/y in April
With double-digit headline inflation and accelerating core inflation readings, the National Bank of Poland is expected to keep on tightening monetary policy in the months to come.
Romania’s industrial production down 0.2% y/y in Q1 despite resilient automotive sector
The deterioration in output was visible in March, the first month after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, at -1.6% y/y.
Hungary’s automotive sector sputters in March, but growth in electronics remains strong
Headline industrial output growth slows to 3.6% y/y, down from 4.8% in the previous month.
Poland’s CPI surges 12.4% y/y in April as statistics office revises estimate
Annual inflation up 1.4pp from the March reading, and is 0.1pp higher than the flash estimate.
Slovak inflation rate reaches its highest level since June 2000
Inflation hits 11.8%, up from the 10.4% recorded in March.
Hungary’s core inflation gallops into double-digit territory
Headline inflation in Hungary accelerated to 9.5% y/y in April, from 8.5%, while core inflation edged up from 9.1% to 10.3%.
Czech inflation in April up to its highest level since 1993
In yearly terms, inflation accelerated to 14.2% in April, up from 12.7% in March, driven mainly by price increases in housing, fuel and food.
Slovak industrial output drops by 7.3% in March
Among the sectors, energy (down 29.7% y/y), car manufacturing (down 13.9% y/y) and petroleum-based manufacturing (down 25.6% y/y) fared worst.
EBRD expects 30% GDP contraction in Ukraine in 2022, lowers emerging Europe projections
The EBRD has cut its 2022 emerging Europe growth forecasts again, reflecting a sharp downgrade for Ukraine and the regional fallout from the war and sanctions.
Czech unemployment rate down to 3.3% in April
Unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point month-on-month and by 0.8pp year-on-year.
Public debt starts to decline in the Western Balkans
Across the region, the average publicly guaranteed debt to GDP ratio fell from 60.8% of GDP in 2020 to 56.5% in 2021, a World Bank report shows.
Western Balkan countries face new economic challenges with growth set to slow to 3.1% this year
The war in Ukraine sends shockwaves across the region and the World Bank warns of "daunting" downside risks to the current outlook.
Turkey’s manufacturing PMI edges further into contraction territory in April
Price pressures remained elevated, supply chain disruption continued and the war in Ukraine added to difficulties. Exports softened for first time in three months.
Russia’s manufacturing PMI improves in April, but still contracting
The seasonally adjusted S&P Global Russia Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) posted 48.2 in April, up from 44.1 in March, to signal the third successive deterioration in the health of the Russian manufacturing sector.
PMI data show Kazakh manufacturing sector remaining in contraction territory in April
New orders decreased for fifth successive month due to price hikes and lack of customers. Rate of decline eased significantly from previous month, however, as some firms able to secure new business.
