Data
Investment flows into EMs up – except Russia
Non-resident investment flows into emerging markets equity was up in April to $38bn in April, except Russia which saw $2.8bn of outflows as sanctions fears reappear.
Russia’s PMI remains in the black on rising new orders but slows from March
Russian manufacturers registered a moderate improvement in operating conditions in April on the back of growing production and a strong increase in client demand, but activity slowed from March’s strong result.
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Prague recorded the lowest unemployment rate of 1.3% again among EU regions
Czech capital Prague again posted the lowest unemployment rate in the European Union of 1.3% in 2018, followed by Czech South-West region, according to Eurostat data published on April 29.
Bond flows into EMs and Russia flashing red, says BCS GM
Bankers warned that bond markets were “flashing red” after nearly a billion dollars left emerging market bonds in the last week, reports BCS Global Markets.
Russia’s reserves top $490bn in April, highest level since 2014
The CBR has been able to build up reserves thanks to the record high current account surplus that topped $115bn in 2018.
Russia’s corporate profits rise strongly year-on-year in first months of 2019 but a boom is still a long way off
The various crises of recent years have caused a consolidation with the result that profits have become increasingly concentrated in the biggest companies and are growing.
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Putin’s popularity rises mildly in April, but governors' popularity rises dramatically
The mood of the population in Russia improved in April as approval ratings rose mildly across the board, according to the latest political polls from independent pollster the Levada Center.
Russia's business confidence turns in another -2% result in April
There was a wobble last autumn, but since the start of this year business has been cautiously optimistic about how the rest of the year will turn out.
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Russia’s CBR keeps rate unchanged, allows for cuts in 2Q19
As expected the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) kept rates on hold at 7.75%, but analysts say it will cut them at least once and maybe twice later this year
Russian foreign debt increased slightly in 1Q19
Russia’s external debt increase slightly in the first quarter, mainly due to the government’s debt to foreigners, Bank of Finland Institute for Economies in Transition (BOFIT) reports.
Immigration pushed up Slovenia’s population in 2018
Slovenia is an attractive destination for workers from other former Yugoslavian countries as it offers the highest wages in the region.
Ukraine's NBU cuts rates for the first time since last summer to 17.5%
The steady downward trend in inflation towards the 5% target allows the National Bank of Ukraine to begin the cycle of reducing the refinancing rate, said the central bank's governor Yakiv Smolii.
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Ukraine industrial output increases 2% y/y in March
Ukraine's industrial output rose 2.1% year-on-year in March, after a 1.8% y/y fall in February, due to restored growth in manufacturing and continuing growth in mining, the nation's state statistics service Ukrstat reported on April 23.
Czech household confidence down for third consecutive month, at its lowest level since 2016
Confidence in Czech economy increased very slightly by 0.1 point month-on-month in April to 97.1 from 97.0 in March
Slovakia´s unemployment rate at its new minimum in March, the lowest number since 1993
Slovakia´s registered unemployment rate amounted to 5.03% in March, from 5.16% in February, down by 0.13 percentage points (pp) month-to-month and by 0.52pp year-on-year, according to data published by the Labour, Social Affairs and the Family Centre
Russia cautious over Zelensky win in Ukraine
The Kremlin believes that it would be premature for President Vladimir Putin to send congratulatory messages to Volodymyr Zelenskiy on winning the presidential election in Ukraine or to talk about opportunities for collaboration.
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Russia's unexpectedly mild inflation gives the CBR room for two rate cuts this year, says VTBC
Russia’s inflation surged at the end of 2018 but has been much milder this year, leading some analysts to say the central bank of Russia will cut rates twice during 2019.
Moldova’s industrial output up 2.1% y/y in 2M19
Signs of a shift to higher value production as garment manufacturing declines while output in the automotive sector soars.
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Russia’s real disposable incomes fall 2.3% in 1Q19 extending stagnation in incomes into sixth year
The stagnation in real disposable income has led to a slow deterioration in the quality of life for ordinary Russians and is feeding a growing propensity for social unrest.
Estonian PPI inflation eases in March
The headline figure sees the PPI inflation rate shed 0.2pp compared to the annual reading for February, extending the current trend of PPI inflation to 30 months straight.