Economy
Significant revenue outperformance drives budget primary surplus to 4.4 bln in 2016
Greece’s budget primary surplus stood at 4.39 billion in 2016, almost double the 2015 figure of 2.27 billion, the Finance Ministry (MoF) preliminary budget execution bulletin revealed on Tuesday.
Payment cards up by 3 pct but value of transactions drops by 7 pct in H1 2016
Following the notable rise of 11.3 percent in the second half of 2015, the total number of payment cards in the Greek market rose by 3 percent in the first half of 2016 compared to the previous 6-month period and stood at 14.6 million at the end of June, the Bank of Greece said in its second semi-annual overview of the Greek financial sector.
Building activity resumes downswing falling by 5.7 pct in October
Greek building permits fell by 5.7 percent in October after rebounding in the previous three months, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data revealed on Monday.
Government seeks to appease banks over ADMIE privatisation
In a letter sent by the four systemic Greek banks to Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos on January 11, but revealed by the Greek media on Friday, they expressed their serious concerns about the privatisation process of the Independent Power Transmission Operator (ADMIE).
Stocks drop 1.3 pct during week with light trading volumes
The Greek equity market fell 1.3 percent this week - mostly reflecting the losses of 2 percent on Friday, while the trading activity remained subdued for yet another week.
Job hirings of 11,132 in Dec; 2016 net hirings at record high since 2001
The employment balance remained positive in December 2016, with net hirings increasing to 11,132 from 7,826 a year ago, data from the Labour Ministry’s Ergani information system showed on Friday.
Athens warms to idea of eurozone going it alone after Schaeuble IMF comment
In an interview with Suddeutsche Zeitung, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble raised the possibility of the International Monetary Fund not participating in the Greek programme, prompting an immediate – and seemingly eager – response from Athens.
In latest review of loan quality, BoG says capital ratios to remain high after targeted NPE reduction
Bank of Greece (BoG) published on Thursday the second issue of its semi-annual overview of the Greek financial sector and provided an update on the key banking figures, mostly related to loan quality, in the first half of 2016.
Unemployment rate edges down to 23 pct in October, lowest in 4.5 years
Greece’s seasonally adjusted (SA) unemployment rate eased for the second straight month to 23 percent in October from 23.1 percent in September, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) labour force survey revealed on Thursday.
Greece’s M&A market stagnates during recession
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Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) are an important element to corporate growth but one that Greece appears to be lacking.