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Russian President Vladimir Putin's popularity ticked up 1pp in February to 65%
Russian President Vladimir Putin's popularity ticked up 1pp from 64% in January to 65% in February according to the latest poll from independent pollster the Levada Center, regaining the levels prior to Navalny's demonstrations.
Russian business confidence bounces back strongly in January
There was a remarkable upswing in business confidence in January, according to Rosstat’s monthly survey. The confidence level rose to -1, its highest level since May 2019, marking a return to pre-coronacrisis levels.
Putin’s trust rating improves 3pp to 32%, Navalny falls 1pp to 4% despite protests
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s trust rating improved by 3 percentage points to 32%, while that of jailed anti-corruption activist and opposition politician Alexei Navalny fell by one point to 4% in between December 2020 and February 2021.
Romania’s public debt-to-GDP ratio up 12.4pp y/y to 47.7% at end-2020
Public indebtedness increased amid the government's efforts to support the private sector and address the health crisis.
Grey economy almost a third of GDP in Bosnia, Montenegro and Serbia
Research by Sarajevo-based Center for Policy and Governance shows high levels of undeclared and partially work in Western Balkans and Croatia.
Belarus retail sales down by 0.9% in January
In January 2021 retailers reported sales of BNY4.2bn ($1.7bn), which accounted for 99.1% of retail sales in January 2020 in comparable prices, according to National Statistics Committee, as cited by the state-owned BelTA.
Consumer prices increased by 1.1% in Serbia in January
The central bank expects inflation to remain low and stable — as it has been for the last eight years — as the country recovers from the coronacrisis.
Modest recovery in prices of new apartments in Montenegro in 4Q20
Apartment prices increased 15% q/q in 4Q20 but were still down by 11.3% y/y in emerging Europe's worst hit economy by the coronacrisis.
Poland’s industrial production growth slows to just 0.9% y/y in January
Calendar effects subdue growth, which is expected to pick up as German economy recovers.
No surprise as Turkey’s central bank sticks with 17% key rate
Hawkish tone including commitment to fight inflation will help to underpin further rally in lira in coming months says analyst. Erdogan swallowing “bitter pill” of high rates.
Slovenia’s February consumer confidence index at the highest level since April 2020
All four components of the consumer confidence indicator improved compared to January.
Albania’s exports continue to outstrip pre-pandemic values
The profile of exports has changed since the pandemic: Albania exports more construction materials and metals, while textiles and footwear exports have fallen.
Romania’s construction works up 16% in 2020
In a year marked by a 3.9% GDP contraction, the sector has been one of the few pockets of growth.
Hungary’s Q4 GDP surprises on the upside
Hungary’s economy grew 1.1% in Q4 on a quarterly basis, while in FY2020 GDP fell 5.1%
Russian retail investors put $8.6bn into foreign stocks, bonds in 2020
Russian retail investment into stocks and bonds has finally taken off after decades of effort by the financial authorities. In 2020 retail investors put RUB638bn ($8.6bn) into foreign stocks and bonds, according to the Central Bank of Russia.
Bulgaria’s GDP down 3.8% y/y in 4Q20, flash estimate shows
ING raises 2021 forecast after National Statistical Institute's estimate for economy's Q4 performance is considerably better than expected.
Russia’s industrial production fell 2.5% y/y in January
Russia’s industrial production fell 2.5% y/y in January, according to Rosstat’s monthly report released on February 16.
Foreign investors return to Ukraine’s domestic bond market, approaching peak 2019 levels
Foreign purchases of Ukrainian government bonds are returning to their peak levels of late 2019 after the government hiked rates
Romania’s external debt rises by 7.1% of GDP in 2020
Romania added €15.6bn to its external debt in 2020, pushing the total up to €125.4bn or 57% of GDP.
Poland’s CPI growth picks up to 2.7% y/y in January
Rising inflationary pressure seen as unlikely to lead to tighter monetary policy.