Economy
Unemployment falls to 17.2 pct, stays below 18 pct for second month
Greece’s seasonally adjusted (SA) unemployment rate came to 17.2 percent in May from a downward revised rate of 17.4 percent in April, Hellenic Statistical Authority’s (ELSTAT) data showed on Thursday.
PBO highlights budget, recovery risks in latest report
The quarterly report of Parliament’s Budget Office (PBO) raises some concerns on the budget front as developments over the last months have increased fiscal risks, although achieving the target of 3.5 percent of GDP for this year remains feasible.
OTE revenues edge up by 0.3 pct to 1.86 bln in H1
The Hellenic Telecommunications Organization S.A (OTE Group) has reported that revenues in the first half (H1) of the year increased by 0.3 percent to 1.86 billion euros. The figure for the relevant period last year stood at 1.85 billion.
Coca Cola reports net profit drop of 10.1 pct in H1
Coca-Cola HBC’s first-half (H1) 2019 results show that net sales revenue edged up by 3.8 percent compared to the same period last year.
Trade deficit falls by 22.9 pct in June as imports drop sharply
Greece’s trade deficit dropped by 22.9 percent (YoY) in June compared to a rise of 56 percent in May, data from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) released on Wednesday showed.
Athens hopes lower bond yields strengthen case for reducing fiscal targets
The Greek government is keeping high up on its agenda the matter of renegotiating lower fiscal targets with the institutions as New Democracy tries to build its case ahead of talks with the creditors in September.
July employment balance turns negative by 14,691 after five straight months of positive data
The employment balance turned negative in July with 14,691 more firings than hirings, data from the Labour Ministry’s Ergani information system showed.
Staikouras strikes note of caution on fiscal space and tax cuts
Greece’s finance minister revealed in an interview with Kathimerini newspaper over the weekend that the range of tax relief measures the governing party had pledged in the election campaign will be subject to the available fiscal space in 2020, which needs to be discussed and agreed with the European creditors.
Fitch leaves rating unchanged, notes recovery potential and tricky fiscal balance
Fitch kept its credit rating for Greece unchanged at ‘BB-‘ with a stable outlook on Friday night.
New government sets sights on sustainable and wide-reaching tourism industry
Greece’s new tourism minister, Haris Theocharis, has said that Greece needs a ten-year plan to boost the country’s vital tourism sector.