Ruble gains, Hungary policy rift, stronger CEE currencies

The Russian ruble appreciated to its strongest level against the dollar since last July this week and the balance of forces now increasingly favours further gains, but a lot depends on geopolitics and all eyes will be on the outcome of the Biden-Putin summit next week. Meanwhile, the difference in opinions between Hungary’s central bank and the government about the outlook for policy further suggests that the central bank is taking the inflation fight more seriously and that the tightening cycle will start this month. Finally, we revised up our forecasts for the koruna, zloty and forint this week.