Economy
Drop in Greek retail sales accelerates to 3.4 pct in March
The turnover of Greece’s retail trade index fell by 3.4 percent year on year (YoY) in March, from a revised -1.9 percent posted in February, according to the Hellenic Statistical Agency (ELSTAT).
Alpha Bank posts loss of 94.1 mln in Q1
Alpha Bank, the third largest Greek bank by total assets, posted a Q1 net loss of 94.1 million euros from profit of 230.4 million last year.
Greek Tourism Association sees tourist arrivals rising to 19 mln for 2014
The Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE) increased on Wednesday its estimate for international tourist arrivals in 2014 to 19 million from 18.5 million.
National Bank starts 2014 posting net profit of 181 mln in Q1
National Bank was the second Greek bank after Eurobank, which published Q1 results on May 28. Net profit landed at 181 million from 27 million last year mainly reflecting soaring pre-provision income (up 25 percent) and receding impairment losses (down 15 percent).
Eurobank records net loss of 207.4 mln in Q1
Eurobank kicked off Greek banks’ Q1 results releases posting a net loss of 207.4 million euros in Q1 2014 from 913.1 in Q4 2013.
Greek credit contracts again in April but at slightly lower rate of 3.7 pct
The year on year (YoY) credit contraction in the Greek market decelerated to 3.7 percent in April from 4.1 percent in March, with balances easing to 215.14 billion euros, according to the Bank of Greece (BoG).
Greek deposits edge up for second month in April, reach 161.3 bln
Greek private sector deposits increased 0.2 percent month on month (MoM) in April, with balances reaching 161.3 billion euros, according to the Bank of Greece (BoG).
Greek economic sentiment for May at highest point since August 2008
Greece’s economic sentiment improved by 3.7 points to 99.1 in May, after falling by 2.1 points in April, according to the European Commission (EC).
New obstacle for privatisations as court blocks sale of water firm
Greece’s highest administrative court has blocked the sale of the Athens water company, raising new questions about whether the government can meet its revised privatisation targets.
Significant post-election economic challenges await Greek coalition
The European Parliament elections on Sunday handed SYRIZA a historic victory but the overall results are unlikely to force snap polls at this moment.