Data
Russia's GDP catches up with pre-COVID level
Russia's GDP increased by 4.6% y/y in H1 2021, with growth accelerating to 10.1% in the second quarter.
Heatwave pushes up spot electricity prices in Southeast Europe
Prices elevated by a combination of demand for electricity for cooling and an outage at one of the reactors of Romania’s nuclear power plant.
Annual growth of Slovenia’s retail sales slowed to 12.8% y/y in June
Retail sales have been growing for most of this year as coronavirus restrictions are gradually lifted.
73.8% of Montenegrins want their country to join the EU
Nearly half of survey respondents pointed to the better quality of life and higher living standards as the main benefits of membership of the EU.
Russian banks maintain recovery, double profit in 1H21
The total profit for 1H21 reached RUB1.2 trillion, helped by strong retail lending.
RenCap raises year-end interest rate forecasts for Ukraine, Belarus and Armenia
Investment bank Renaissance Capital says central banks in the region have been more hawkish than expected, following a series of rate hikes.
Kosovo expects GDP growth to exceed projected 7.9% this year
Economy minister says growth could be as high as 10% this year, but analysts warn this can only be achieved with major investments.
Surge in arrivals from Kosovo pushes Albanian tourist arrivals to pre-pandemic level
Arrivals from neighbouring countries shot up when Albania eased restrictions.
Bulgaria’s central bank revises up 2021 economic growth forecast to 4.1%
National Recovery and Sustainability Plan projects, together with higher exports and domestic consumption to drive recovery in Bulgaria.
Average gross wage in Slovenia up by a real 3.9% y/y in May
Wage growth accelerated from just 0.9% y/y in the previous month.
Polish retail sales ease growth to 8.6% y/y in June
Household consumption set to be one of the main drivers of Poland’s economic growth in 2021.
Natural disasters caused €80mn of damage to Croatian agriculture in 2021
Frost, flooding and pests all damaged crops in Croatia this year, raising fears of price increases.
Poland’s industrial production eases growth in June
Poland’s industrial production growth expanded 18.4% year-on-year at constant prices in June, after jumping 29.8% y/y the preceding month.
May industrial slowdown in Europe touches Moldova
Industrial production dropped by 7.8% m/m in May in the deepest monthly decline since the initial lockdown last March.
Georgia’s June domestic exports expand 18.5% versus two years ago
Against first half of 2020, exports, at $1.38bn, rose by 27.8% y/y and, more importantly when it comes to the long-term trend, grew 24.2% compared to 1H 2019.
Inflation in Ukraine stabilises at 9.5% y/y in June, NBU rates "hold" decision vindicated
Consumer prices in Ukraine increased by 0.2% m/m this June, the same as in June last year. As a result, annual inflation remained at 9.5% y/y. However, core inflation accelerated to 7.3% y/y from 6.9% in May.
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Russia producer price inflation comes off recent all-time high, but remains over 30% y/y
After exploding this year, Russia’s producer price index of inflation (PPI) peaked in May but still remains at record highs.
Putin's popularity stable but Duma remains the most unpopular institution in Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s personal approval rating remains stable having risen from 65% in April to 67% in May before falling back to 66% in June – a level it has been sitting at for most of the last decade.
Romania’s current deficit up 85% y/y in January-May, FDI surges 3.2 times
Romania’s current account balance and foreign direct investment figures reveal a sharp increase in the country’s external deficit balanced by stronger FDI.
Polish CPI growth eases to 4.4% y/y in June
June expansion extends the period of ongoing high inflationary pressure in Poland.
