Economy
S&P: Greek covered and securitised bonds rated investment grade for first time since 2011
Rating agency Standard & Poors announced on Friday that it had upgraded bonds issued by Piraeus Bank and the National Bank of Greece (NBG) to “investment grade”.
Trade deficit down by 15.8 pct in May on reduced imports, higher exports
Greece’s trade deficit fell by 15.8 percent in May, picking up pace from April’s drop of 4.6 percent, according to data from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) released on Friday.
General govt primary cash surplus at 1.65 bln in May on slower expenditure decline
Greece’s general government (gg) primary cash surplus came to 1.65 billion euros in the first five months of the year, falling by 571 million euros compared to the same period last year, according to the Finance Ministry’s (MoF) monthly gg bulletin.
Greek debt management agency sees Eurogroup debt deal favourably
Greece’s debt management agency, PDMA, issued a report on Wednesday in which it assesses the agreement reached on the June 21 Eurogroup concerning debt relief for the country.
If rising card use in Greece meets EU average, VAT revenues would see 3.3 bln boost - study
Enhanced credit card usage in Greece could capture revenues that exceed the annual inflows from the single property tax (ENFIA), a study by the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) has shown.
Foreign investors positive on Greece but ease of doing business remains low
Greece’s business framework remains complex and lengthy, which could act as a deterrent to foreign investors, according to data presented as a recent business forum.
Improving trends in property market highlighted by central bank
The Bank of Greece (BoG) Monetary Policy released on Monday contained an outlook for the property market in Greece and anticipated developments, which highlighted that signs of stabilisation were noted during 2017.
Moscovici hints at possibility of shelving 2019 pension cuts, riles opposition
During his visit to Athens on Tuesday, European Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici seemed to suggest that Greece might not have to implement the pension cuts that have been lined up for next year.
HELPE privatisation moves closer as ROSCO sale is completed
Two international bodies have made it to the second round of bidding for a 50.1 percent stake in Hellenic Petrol (HELPE) as progress continues on Greece’s privatisations.
BoG report outlines benefits of surveillance and scenarios for debt
In the Monetary Policy report that was issued on Monday, Bank of Greece (BoG) dedicates a section on the completion of the third programme based on the agreement that was reached at the June 21 Eurogroup.