Recovery takes hold and inflation pressures build

Economic activity across Emerging Europe is rebounding strongly now that virus waves have passed and restrictions have been lifted. The recovery in Q2 looks to have been strongest in Russia, Israel and Central Europe, but we think Turkey will also join in the regional recovery in Q3. Inflation has picked up across the region and price pressures are likely to remain strong in the coming months, keeping central banks in Russia, Hungary, and Czechia in tightening mode. But we don’t think there will be appetite for rate hikes in Poland until next year and we expect Turkey’s central bank to start an easing cycle in the coming months (lira permitting).