Economy
IMF lowers medium-term forecasts for Greek debt, 2014 financing needs
The International Monetary Fund has provided updated forecasts on the key Greek macro and fiscal figures in its latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) and Fiscal Monitor (FM) reports.
Greek exports down 5.9 pct in August, imports also fall 16.4 pct
Greece’s exports continued heading south for the second successive month in August, dropping by 5.9 percent, according to the flash estimates of commercial transactions released by Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) on Wednesday.
SMEs, backbone of Greek economy, have shed 27 pct of jobs since 2008
The annual report on European Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) released by the European Commission (EC) this week showed that SME employment in Greece fell by 27 percent since 2008, which corresponds to 630,000 fewer jobs.
Retail sales rise in July for second straight month - not seen since 2010
The turnover of Greece’s retail trade index increased for the second straight month by 1.5 percent in July, following a marginal increase of 0.4 percent in June, according to the Hellenic Statistical Agency (ELSTAT).
Here's what's in the 2015 draft budget the Greek government has just unveiled
The Greek Finance Ministry (MoF) submitted the 2015 draft budget on Monday, with the headline figures confirming earlier reports regarding next year's surplus and other fiscal targets.
Primary surplus inches up to 2.9 pct in Greece's 2015 draft budget
Reports in the Greek media on Sunday indicate that the 2015 draft budget to be tabled in Parliament on Monday will forecast a primary surplus of 2.9 percent of GDP.
Greek primary cash surplus more than doubles to 2.45 bln at end of August
The Greek general government (gg) primary cash surplus more than doubled year on year (YoY) reaching 2.45 billion euros in the 8-month period of 2014 from 1.17 billion last year, according the gg bulletin released by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) on Friday.
ECB plans for ABS, covered bonds purchases leaves doubts for Greek banks
The European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi confirmed in a press conference on Thursday that assset-backed Securities (ABSs) and covered bonds from Greece and Cyprus, which until now have not been eligible as collateral with the Frankfurt-based lender, will now be "subject to specific rules with risk-mitigating measures.”
A snapshot of Greek banks' ABS as ECB readies for next move
The European Central Bank (ECB) announced on September 4 that it will proceed with a large-scale purchase of asset-backed securities (ABS) as well as euro-denominated covered bonds issued by eurozone banks starting from October.
Greece's troika talks begin with apparent deal on 2015 surplus
In contrast to previous first meetings between the Greek authorities and the heads of troika mission, the outcome of Tuesday’s inaugural meeting suggests an initial agreement on the fiscal target for 2015.