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The continued weakness in the German economy that we expect over the rest of this decade presents a challenge to the export-orientated economies of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). While GDP growth is likely to be slower in CEE over the coming years than …
18th April 2024
The risk premia on Turkish assets are now low relative to the past decade or so. We think that will remain the case over the coming quarters, given the positive global risk-on attitude and the ongoing shift to traditional macroeconomic policy. Even so, …
We think that any impact from the suspension of trading of Russian metal on the LME and CME is likely to be muted, given that trade flows have already shifted markedly and it is unlikely to impact supply. The US and UK announced fresh sanctions on Russia …
15th April 2024
The Iranian strike over the weekend has been largely shrugged off by Israel’s financial markets and on its own is unlikely to have a major impact on the economy. The key uncertainty now is how Israel responds. An aggressive Israeli military response that …
Oil price rally a headache for most in EM Europe... The price of brent crude oil continued to hover around $90pb this week, near its highest level in six months, as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East added to fears over oil supply. For most …
12th April 2024
While inflation fell further across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) in March, we think that the recent run of good CPI news is largely over. We expect inflation to rise back above central banks’ target ranges in Hungary and Poland by end-2024 (to near …
11th April 2024
Inflation stabilises, easing cycle is not that far away The stabilisation in Russian inflation at 7.7% y/y in March was in line with expectations and adds to evidence that inflation pressures have continued to cool in recent months. The month-on-month …
10th April 2024
Door for rate cuts closing The decision by the Bank of Israel (BoI) to leave its policy rate unchanged at 4.50% (rather than cut) for the second meeting in a row underscores policymakers’ concerns about the large budget deficit, above-target inflation and …
8th April 2024
Economy running hot in Q4, momentum continues into 2024 The 4.9% y/y rise in Russian GDP in Q4 was slightly below expectations but it followed an upwards revision to growth in Q3 (to 5.7%) and suggests that the economy continued to run hot at the end of …
5th April 2024
Fiscal risks building in parts of CEE The larger-than-expected 2023 budget deficit figures released across parts of Central Europe this week underline our concerns about the fiscal challenges facing the region, particularly in Hungary. The better news …
This page has been updated with additional analysis since first publication. Extended pause likely until 2025 The National Bank of Poland (NBP) left its policy rate on hold at 5.75% today as it looked through the recent sharp drop in inflation in March. …
4th April 2024
Easing cycle just around the corner Romania’s central bank left its policy rate on hold at 7.00% as expected again today but with inflation likely to fall further, a monetary easing cycle is probably just around the corner. We maintain our view that the …
Further rise in inflation will keep pressure on the CBRT to hike The increase in Turkish inflation, to 68.5% y/y in March, will keep pressure on the central bank (CBRT) to hike interest rates further at its meeting later this month. We maintain our …
3rd April 2024
The strong showing for the opposition in Turkey’s local elections on Sunday highlights the extent of voter frustration with high inflation and we think that it should be interpreted as a positive for investors by strengthening policymakers’ commitment to …
2nd April 2024
Small improvement in CEE, Russia continues to run hot The manufacturing PMIs rose across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) in March but they remain consistent with a relatively weak recovery. Poland’s PMI inched up from 47.9 in February to 48.0, Czechia’s …
Hungary shifting down the monetary easing gears The post-meeting communications from Hungary’s central bank (MNB), after it slowed its easing cycle on Tuesday , support our view that the pace of rate cuts is set to slow further over the coming months. The …
28th March 2024
Our Emerging Europe Chart Pack has been updated with the latest data and our analysis of recent developments. Inflation continued to fall across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) last month and in most countries it is now back within central bank …
27th March 2024
Regional sentiment hits two-year high The European Commission's Economic Sentiment Indicators for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) generally rose in March, and support our view that regional GDP growth strengthened at the start of this year. Economic …
Overview – Economies in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) ended last year in stagnation, but headwinds to growth are lifting and we think that 2024 will be a year of modest recovery. Inflation has fallen sharply in recent months but in some parts of the …
26th March 2024
Pace of easing slows, and will slow further before long The decision by the Hungarian central bank (MNB) to slow the pace of its easing cycle today, with a 75bp cut to its base rate (to 8.25%), will probably be followed by a further slowdown in the pace …
Has Tusk changed the tide in Poland? The 100 day milestone for Poland’s new government is marked today. From an economic perspective, we think there are three key points worth highlighting about how the outlook has and hasn’t changed. First, the release …
22nd March 2024
Little change in language, possible easing from mid-2024 Russia’s central bank (CBR) left its key policy rate on hold, at 16.00%, for a second consecutive meeting as expected today and there were few notable changes in its press statement. The central …
Governor Karahan retakes the initiative Turkey’s central bank unexpectedly raised its key policy rate by 500bp at today’s meeting, to 50.00%, and its hawkish communications leave open the possibility of another rate hike in April. With the potential for a …
21st March 2024
Recovery strengthens Poland’s stronger-than-expected activity data for February suggest that loose fiscal policy and continued fast wage growth helped the economy to recover at the start of this year. We maintain our above-consensus GDP growth forecast of …
We hosted a 25-minute online briefing on Wednesday 27 th March to discuss EM financial risks in more detail. Watch the recording here . The past few years have sharpened investors’ focus on assessing risks and vulnerabilities across the EM world. We have …
20th March 2024
This publication has been updated with additional analysis from the post-meeting press statement and press conference. CNB’s easing cycle has a lot further to run The Czech National Bank (CNB) cut its policy rate by 50bp again today, to 5.75%, and we …
Vladimir Putin secured a record victory in Russia’s presidential election over the weekend. The focus now will be on whether this emboldens Putin to devote more resources to the war effort, whether policymakers push through unpopular non-war fiscal …
18th March 2024
Pressure building in Turkey ahead of the election Pressures on Turkish policymakers are building ahead of the local elections on 31 st March as capital inflows have slowed and FX reserves are falling again. We doubt the central bank will hike interest …
15th March 2024
This page has been updated with additional analysis since first publication. Inflation picks further, rates to stay high for some time The rise in Russian inflation to 7.7% y/y in February highlights that price pressures in the economy remain strong and …
13th March 2024
Turkey’s balance of payments figures for January showed that the current account deficit continued to narrow, but the drop in capital inflows in recent months is a concern and it appears that this forced the central bank to sell FX reserves. This adds to …
12th March 2024
Setting the record straight on recent HUF weakness The dispute between the Hungarian central bank (MNB) and the government heated up further this week, which has fuelled a narrative that threats to central bank independence are responsible for the recent …
8th March 2024
We discussed the implications of Russia’s election in a Drop-In on Tuesday, 12 th March. Click here to watch the 20-minute online briefing. The outcome of Russia’s presidential election taking place over 15-17 th March is not in doubt: Putin is all but …
7th March 2024
NBP keeps rates on hold, limited window for rate cuts this year The National Bank of Poland (NBP) left interest rates on hold again today, at 5.75%, and the scope for monetary easing this year looks relatively limited. We still think there is a …
6th March 2024
This page has been updated with additional analysis since first publication. Inflation continues to rise, tightening cycle now at risk of restarting The stronger-than-expected rise in Turkish inflation to 67.1% y/y in February adds to our concerns given …
4th March 2024
Turkish GDP growth continues to run hot Data released this week showed that Turkish GDP growth unexpectedly re-accelerated in Q4, which challenges the view that recent aggressive monetary tightening is rebalancing the economy. We published our initial …
1st March 2024
Turkey and Russia continue to show signs of resilience The manufacturing PMIs out of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) generally ticked up last month, but still suggest that industrial sectors remained weak. In contrast, the increases in the PMIs in Turkey …
Economies in Central and Eastern Europe ended 2023 on a weak note, but the outlook for this year looks brighter. Lower inflation and interest rates should support a recovery in domestic demand over the coming quarters. In contrast, Turkey’s economy has …
29th February 2024
This page has been updated with additional analysis since first publication. Economy re-accelerates in Q4 The pick-up in Turkish GDP growth to 1.0% q/q in Q4 was driven by a rebound in private consumption and suggests that aggressive monetary tightening …
Economy maintains strong momentum The latest activity data for January suggest that Russia’s economy maintained solid growth at the start of this year, which supports our forecast for above-potential GDP growth of 3.0% over the course of 2024. Retail …
28th February 2024
Romania’s large twin budget and current account deficits remain a key concern. One near-term risk is that fiscal policy stays very loose (or is loosened further), particularly in view of elections taking place later this year. This could cause risk …
Sentiment edges lower, but still points to recovery The European Commission's Economic Sentiment Indicators for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) generally fell in February, but still point to regional GDP growth strengthening in Q1. Economic sentiment …
Step up in pace of easing will soon be reversed The decision by the Hungarian central bank (MNB) to step up the pace of its easing cycle today, with a 100bp interest rate cut, will probably be followed by further large interest rate cuts over the next few …
27th February 2024
BoI stands pat as inflation risks remain strong Israel’s central bank opted to leave interest rates on hold at 4.50% today – in contrast to the consensus view for a cut – and the communications continued to emphasise upside inflation risks. Policymakers …
26th February 2024
Wage data still offering reasons for caution The latest wage data released out of Poland and Hungary this week showed that labour cost pressures have remained very strong in parts of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). So despite another slew of …
23rd February 2024
New governor committed to the tight policy stance The hawkish statement accompanying the Turkish central bank’s decision to leave interest rates unchanged at 45.00% today supports our view that a shift to monetary easing remains some way off and we still …
22nd February 2024
Domestic demand to drive the recovery Poland’s activity data for January suggest that the reacceleration in wage growth at the start of this year supported domestic demand, while the export-orientated industrial sector struggled. We think that a further …
Deep contraction highlights the extent of the conflict damage The 19.4% q/q annualised contraction in Israeli GDP in Q4 was much worse than had been expected and highlights the extent of the hit from the Hamas attacks and the war in Gaza. While a recovery …
19th February 2024
Ratings downgrade highlights realities in Israel The decision by Moody’s to deliver Israel’s first credit rating downgrade in its history late last week is a warning sign to policymakers that the strength of the public finances should not be taken for …
16th February 2024
Tightening cycle comes to a close, but rates to stay high Russia’s central bank (CBR) left its policy rate on hold at 16.00% as expected today and we think that inflation pressures will prevent it from cutting interest rates for most of this year. Today’s …
The Czech economy has had the weakest performance of any EU country since the pandemic, and we think that growth will disappoint expectations again in 2024. This will keep inflation contained and put pressure on the central bank to loosen monetary …
