NEWS FLASH

UPCOMING WEBINAR - CENTRAL AMERICA OUTLOOK: COSTA RICA, EL SALVADOR, GU...

Turkey's increasing presence in Central Asia
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 18 Jun 2021

On June 9 the Kyrgyz President visited Turkey. The Turkish-Kyrgyz Business Forum was addressed by him. A Turkish-Kyrgyz citizen was recently kidnapped by Turkish intelligence. Japarov did not broach the issue. He did not wish to offend his hosts, and his own intelligence service might have been m...

Biden's summit with Putin ends surprisingly cordially
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 17 Jun 2021

On June 16 the two presidents met in Switzerland. There were none of the testy exchanges that some expected. The heads of state agreed that nuclear war cannot be won. Biden pressed Putin on human rights.The presidents had a 4-hour one-to-one meeting. Putin was gratified that Biden described Russi...

Russia’s inflation seems decelerating w-o-w but accelerates y-o-y
RUSSIA ECONOMICS · In Brief · 17 Jun 2021

Rosstat reported that w-o-w inflation during the period ending on June 15 was at 0.12%, which is lower than during the previous seven-day period when it was at 0.16%. As a result, inflation in the first two weeks of June reached 0.28%. Inflation y-o-y, however, still accelerate as the m-o-m infla...

Russia’s inflation seems decelerating w-o-w but accelerates y-o-y
RUSSIA ECONOMICS · In Brief · 17 Jun 2021

Rosstat reported that w-o-w inflation during the period ending on June 15 was at 0.12%, which is lower than during the previous seven-day period when it was at 0.16%. As a result, inflation in the first two weeks of June reached 0.28%. Inflation y-o-y, however, still accelerate as the m-o-m infla...

Senate votes on the privatization of Eletrobras, two testimonies in the COVID CPI today and Luciano Huck will not run in 2022
BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 17 Jun 2021

The provisional measure on Eletrobras will have to return to the House if approved, as edits were made to the text. In the COVID CPI, Carlos Wizard and Alexandre Silva Marques have the right to remain silent on questions that could incriminate them. Center parties met yesterday to discuss creatin...

MPC: Playing catch-up with reality -- very slowly
TURKEY · In Brief · 17 Jun 2021

As expected, the Monetary Policy Committee kept the policy rate (one-week repo rate) unchanged at 19% (simple) today.A comparison of the new statement with the old yields very little tangible differences, as far as we can see, though there is perhaps a bit more emphasis on – or a belated acknowle...

The NBU leaves prime rate unchanged at 7.5% despite soaring inflation
UKRAINE · In Brief · 17 Jun 2021

The NBU Board decided to leave prime rate unchanged at 7.5% despite dramatic inflation speed up (in May CPI went up by 9.5% y/y and PPI surged to +33.1% y/y). The decision went in line with our reading of the NBU policy though we see this decision as a mistake. Press-release of the NBU tells abou...

​Israel’s new government may be an easier Gulf partner, despite offering little "change" to Palestinians
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 17 Jun 2021

The new coalition government formed on Sunday has a wafer-thin majority and could easily break apart. While it lasts, there is unlikely to be a material change in policy towards Palestinians, unless it is overtaken by events​. However, its tone on regional issues, including Iran, is likely to be ...

Russian economy back at pre-pandemic size
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 17 Jun 2021

On June 15 the Central Bank of Russia announced that Russia has recovered. The economy contracted 3% in 2020. In some sectors the economy has exceeded its prepandemic level.Russia is the first major economy to complete its recovery. This is partly due to having a relatively small service sector. ...

Wilson Witzel testifies in the COVID CPI, Special Committee on Administrative Reform meets to set work schedule and government discusses water crisis provisional measure
BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 16 Jun 2021

The rapporteur of the provisional measure on the privatization of Eletrobras should submit his report today. The measure is expected to be approved before it expires. Center parties meet to discuss supporting a center candidate in the upcoming presidential election in 2022.

Moscow returns to restrictions as coronavirus spread rapidly
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 16 Jun 2021

On June 14 Moscow began a non-working week. More accurately, that is to work from home. Emergency services are still operating normally. The new rules apply to places of entertainment and stores which are closed. Playgrounds are closed. Restaurants do takeaway only after 11 pm. This is not as str...

Russia’s 1Q21 GDP looks better than was reported earlier
RUSSIA ECONOMICS · In Brief · 15 Jun 2021

Rosstat reported that the 1Q21 GDP was down by 0.7% y-o-y, which is better than the initially reported 1.0% contraction. Mining was down by 7.4%, manufacturing was up by 0.6%. Trade (wholesale and retail) combine with auto repairs was up by 0.7%. The financial sector kept growing fast and was up ...

Inflation in May comes in slightly below expectations
ISRAEL · In Brief · 15 Jun 2021

The CPI in May increased by 0.4% m/m and by 1.5% y/y (following 0.8% in April), slightly below market expectations of 0.5% m/m (and ours). Core inflation (the CPI exc. energy and fresh produce) accelerated to 1.0% y/y from 0.45% last month. The downward surprise in May came from clothing prices w...

A busy week in Congress, several bills and provisional measures should be put to a vote today, and Marcellus Campêlo should testify in the COVID CPI
BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 15 Jun 2021

The government is planning on replacing the Bolsa Família and emergency aid programs with a new basic income program that should help President Bolsonaro’s re-election campaign. The rapporteur for the provisional measure on the privatization of Eletrobras should submit his report on the text toda...

Some unnecessary excitement about MNB policy yesterday
HUNGARY · In Brief · 15 Jun 2021

Perhaps the MNB should consider to stop talking publicly for at least a week ahead of critical Monetary Council meetings, when public attention is focused heavily on each and every word they say. That could lessen the risk of potential damage if the market is unable to read various statements com...