Economy
Greek stocks fall 3.1 pct over week, volumes soar on Friday due to FTSE reclassification
After rising in the previous four weeks, the Greek stock market fell 3.1 percent this week. This mostly reflected a drop of 3.3 percent on Friday.
Athens and creditors edge closer on tax and pensions but gap remains on NPLs
Following Thursday’s meeting between Labour Minister Giorgos Katrougalos and mission chiefs, the former appeared optimistic that an agreement on pension reform could be clinched by Saturday.
Unemployment edges up to 24.4 pct in Q4 on seasonal drop in employment
After falling in the preceding two quarters, the Greek non-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate edged up to 24.4 percent in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2015 from 24 percent in Q3, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) figures showed on Thursday.
Greece and lenders hold inconclusive talks on tax and pensions
Following meetings between the Greek finance and labour ministers with the mission chiefs on Wednesday, it appears that most key issues remain unresolved, while notable gaps still exist between the two sides.
Greece and lenders seen making progress on privatisation fund but not on NPLs
Although considerable gaps still exist between the mission chiefs and the government on the key issues of fiscal and tax measures as well as pension reform, progress has been reportedly made on the new privatisation fund.
Primary cash surplus quadruples to 2.09 bln in first two months of 2016
Greece’s central government primary cash balance showed a 2.09 billion-euro surplus in the 2-month period of 2015, which is four times higher than last year’s figure of 503 million, Bank of Greece (BoG) figures displayed on Wednesday.
NBG records loss of 2.05 bln in Q4 on one-offs and jump in credit risk provisions
NBG concluded on Tuesday the release of Greek core banks’ fourth quarter (Q4) results, posting net losses of 2.05 billion euros from 401 million in Q3.
Improvement for services sector turnover in Q4
After falling in the preceding two quarters, the majority of the turnover indices for the services sector rose year on year in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2015, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) figures showed on Tuesday.
Unpaid taxes reach 86.3 bln, 60 pct racked up since crisis began in 2010
The annual report of the General Secretariat of Public Revenues (GSPR) revealed that 60 percent of the outstanding tax debt of 86.3 billion was created during the crisis years. In specific, 40.2 percent of unpaid taxes was created before 2011, 44.4 percent within 2011-2014 and 15.4 percent in 2015.
Programme review talks continue, progress on tax, pensions and NPLs at a premium
Discussions between the mission chiefs and Greek authorities on pension reform and tax measures continued over the weekend but still left significant gaps on both fronts.