Economy
Why did Greece return to bond markets now? Was it the right decision?
Greece made what many commentators regarded as a spectacular comeback to international bond markets this week after four years in “exile,” as Prime Minister Antonis Samaras described it.
Another big drop for building activity, which fell by 35.3 pct in January
Greek building activity (as measured by the number of building permits) continued heading south in January retreating by 35.3 percent, following a 29.6 percent drop in December, according to the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).
![Photo by Can Esenbel [www.mundanepleasure.com]](resources/toolip/img-thumb/2013/10/16/citygrass_agora_esenbel-medium.jpg "Photo by Can Esenbel [www.mundanepleasure.com]")
Greece exceeds expectations with first return to bond markets after four years
After just over four years of being shut out of international markets, Greece officially confirmed its return on Thursday with the sale of a five-year bond.
Greek jobless rate eases for fourth straight month but still at 26.7 pct
The seasonally adjusted jobless rate slipped for the fourth straight month to 26.7 percent in January from a downwards revised 27.2 percent the previous month, according to the Hellenic Statistical Agency (ELSTAT).
Greece enters second year of deflation as CPI falls 1.3 pct in March
Greece remained in deflation for the thirteenth consecutive month in March. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) eased 1.3 percent at a slightly accelerating pace compared to the 1.1 percent posted in February, according to the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).
IMF recognises Greek 2013 surplus, sees less burdensome financing needs
In its updated Fiscal Monitor report published on Wednesday, the International Monetary Fund confirms Greece achieved a general government (gg) primary surplus of 1.5 percent of GDP in 2013.
General gov't cash surplus rises to 3.54 bln at end of Feb, more than double last year
The Greek general government (gg) primary cash surplus in the first two months of 2014 more than doubled to 3.54 billion from 1.45 billion last year, according to the gg bulletin released by the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday.
Industrial production rises for three months in a row for first time since 2007
The Greek Industrial Production Index (IPI) rose 1.7 percent in February, posting a positive change for the third consecutive month, according to the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).
Car sales continue upward course as registrations increase by 33.1 pct in March
Cars going into circulation for the first time showed a year on year (YoY) increase for the seventh successive month at 33.1 percent in March, according to latest data published by the Hellenic Statistical Agency (ELSTAT) on Tuesday.
Greece poised to build on investor sentiment with return to bond markets
The Greek government has emerged from this week’s Eurogroup and Ecofin with renewed confidence about the country’s economic prospects and buoyed enough to consider an imminent return to bond markets, possibly as early as next week.