Economy
Primary budget surplus passes 1-bln mark for 2014 but revenue shortfall widening
Greece’s budget execution showed a primary surplus of 1.05 billion euros in the first four months of 2014 from a primary deficit of 306 million in the corresponding period last year, according to the preliminary data released by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) on Tuesday.
Building activity continues to crumble, falling by 20.7 pct in Feb
Greek building activity (as measured by the number of building permits) retained on a downward curve for the third straight month in February, retreating by 20.7 percent according to the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).
Tourist arrivals in Greece up 18.7 pct in 2013 but lower average spending points to missed potential
International tourist arrivals soared by 18.7 percent to 20.11 million in 2013, while travel receipts increased by 16.4 percent to 12.15 billion euros, according to the Bank of Greece’s (BoG) final data.
CPI down 1.3 pct in April as Greece remains in deflation for 14th month
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) eased 1.3 percent in April, unchanged from the previous month, according to the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).
Greek industrial production falls in March after three months of rises
The Greek Industrial Production Index (IPI) dropped 3.1 percent in March, from an upward revised 3.1 percent increase in February, according to the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).
Car registrations continue to rise; up by 9.1 pct in April
Cars going into circulation for the first time showed a year on year (YoY) increase for the eighth straight month in April, rising by 9.1 percent according to Hellenic Statistical Agency (ELSTAT).
Jobless rate drops for fifth month to 26.5 pct in Feb but employed also falling
The seasonally adjusted jobless rate eased for a fifth successive month in February, edging down to 26.5 percent from a downwards revised 26.6 percent in January, according to the Hellenic Statistical Agency (ELSTAT).
Imports soar by 7 pct in March as exports rise for first time since Sept
Greece’s imports rose by 7 percent to 3.97 billion in March, a much faster pace than February’s increase of 2.3 percent, according to the flash estimates released by Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) on Thursday.
Q1 gg primary cash balance shows 2.5 bln surplus but 2014 arrears grow
The Greek general government (gg) primary cash surplus in the first quarter (Q1) of 2014 more than tripled to 2.5 billion from 770 million in the corresponding period last year, according the gg bulletin released by the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday.
OECD sees Greek recession continuing in 2014, slower recovery to follow
In its latest Economic Outlook report published on Tuesday, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) still expects Greek GDP to contract 0.3 percent in 2014 and rebound 1.9 percent in 2015.