Economy
Budget surplus beats July target on lower investment spending as tax refunds fall short
Greece’s budget primary balance came to a surplus of 2.09 billion euros in the first seven months of 2018, according to the July preliminary budget execution bulletin published by the Finance Ministry (MoF) on Tuesday.
Eighteen core goods led exports during crisis, NBG study notes
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A core group of 18 products made up the backbone of Greek exports during the crisis years, according to a study compiled by the National Bank of Greece (NBG).
Unpaid contributions rise to 33.86 bln as more legacy debtors added
The stock of unpaid social security contributions (SSCs) increased to 33.86 billion euros in the second quarter (Q2) of 2018, increasing by nearly 2 billion compared to the figure of 31.87 billion euros registered in the first quarter (Q1) of the year, the Centre for the Collection of Social Security Arrears (KEAO) revealed.
Growth conditions improving but more work needed over longer term, PBO suggests
The Parliament Budget Office's (PBO) second quarter (Q2) report, published recently, examined the current economic conditions in Greece but also how exports and imports have evolved during the crisis.
Fitch upgrades Greek rating to 'BB-', three notches from investment grade
Fitch on Friday raised its credit rating for Greece by two notches to ‘BB-’ from ‘B’, while the outlook was updated to stable from positive.
Building permits up by 4.4 pct in May and 5.3 pct in first five months
Building permits rose by 4.4 percent in May following a rise of 1 percent in April, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data released on Friday showed.
Apartment prices increase by 0.8 pct in Q2 for first rise since Q4 2008
The nominal value of apartments in Greece during the second quarter (Q2) of the year showed a rise of 0.8 percent year-on-year (YoY) after a drop of 0.2 percent in Q1, Bank of Greece (BoG) data showed on Thursday.
CPI up by 0.9 pct in July to mark fourth consecutive rise
Greece’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.9 percent in July following an increase of 1 percent in June, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data showed on Thursday.
Car sales up by 17.9 pct in July and 27.2 pct in first seven months of the year
Road motor vehicles going into circulation for the first time rose by 17.9 percent in July, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data showed on Thursday, slowing down from the rise of 28.4 percent in June.
Unemployment in Greece falls to 19.5 pct in May, below 20 pct for first time since Sept 2011
Greece’s seasonally adjusted (SA) unemployment rate in May edged down to 19.5 percent from a downward revised rate of 20 percent in April, Hellenic Statistical Authority’s (ELSTAT) data showed on Thursday.