Economy
Lenders return to Athens with much work ahead to reach SLA by May 24
The effort to reach a staff-level agreement (SLA) by the May 24 Eurogroup resumes in Athens on Monday with the return of the institution’s technical teams, who will be followed by the mission chiefs.
Debt relief options pondered as institutions prepare for Athens return
The immediate focus of the institutions, who are due back in Athens on Monday, will be on the fourth review but discussions are continuing in the background on what debt relief measures may be implemented after the conclusion of the third programme this summer.
Building activity up by 5.4 pct in Feb, permits remain below 1,000
Building permits increased by 5.4 percent in February following a rise of 18 percent in January, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data released on Friday showed.
Lower yields for short- and long-term borrowing boost Athens
There was a promising start to May for Greece’s debt management agency (PDMA) as interest in its T-Bills rose and borrowing costs dropped in the two issues it auctioned successfully on May 2 and May 9 via 13- and 26-week notes respectively.
Piraeus Bank posts net loss of 80 mln in Q1
Piraeus Bank’s first quarter (Q1) results revealed net results from continued operations showing a loss of 80 million euros compared to a net profit of 12 million in Q4 2017.
Eurosystem funding decline picks up pace to 3.26 bln in April
Greek banks’ Eurosystem funding fell notably by 3.26 billion euros in April, Bank of Greece's (BoG) monthly financial statement revealed on Thursday.
Ministers urged to speed up reforms as Athens prepares for lenders to return
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is making a fresh push so his government can progress enough with the fourth review prior actions so there can be a staff-level agreement on May 24, when eurozone finance ministers are due to meet.
Car sales increase by 29.3 pct in April and by 32.2 pct in four-month period
Road motor vehicles going into circulation for the first time rose by 29.3 percent in April, increasing against March’s figure of 23.9 percent, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data showed on Thursday.
Industrial production rises by 1.1 pct in March
Greece’s Industrial Production Index (IPI) rose by 1.1 percent in March after a revised decline of 1.9 percent in February, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data revealed on Thursday.
CPI remains unchanged in April
Greece’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) remained unchanged in April after a decline in prices of 0.2 percent in March, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data showed on Thursday.