Macroeconomy
Budget primary surplus hits 1.74 bln in 4-month, beating target on strong underspend
The budget primary balance posted a surplus of 1.74 billion euros in the 4-month period of 2017, down by 9 percent from last year’s figure of 1.9 billion, the Finance Ministry (MoF) preliminary budget execution bulletin revealed on Monday.
Q1 GDP down by mild 0.1 QoQ, hinting at impact of drawn-out review
Greece’s seasonally adjusted (SA) GDP fell marginally by 0.1 percent quarter on quarter (QoQ) in the first quarter (Q1) of 2017, after dropping by 1.2 percent in the previous quarter, the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) flash estimates revealed on Monday.
Building activity falls by 4.2 pct in February
Greek building permits decreased by 4.2 percent in February after a rise of 11.1 percent in the previous month, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data showed on Friday.
Eurosystem funding down by 535 mln in April, ELA falls for second straight month
Greek banks’ Eurosystem funding continued heading south for the 22nd straight month, albeit the drop of 535 million euros in April is the lowest in this series, Bank of Greece's (BoG) monthly financial statement revealed on Thursday.
Unemployment rate slips to 23.2 pct in Feb, lowest for last five years
Greece’s seasonally adjusted (SA) unemployment edged down to 23.2 percent in February from a downward revised rate of 23.3 percent in January, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) labour force survey revealed on Thursday.
EC lowers growth forecasts, sees fiscal targets within reach
The recovery of the Greek economy is expected to restart this year, largely on the back of improving consumer and investor sentiment, the European Commission (EC) noted in its spring economic forecasts published on Thursday.
April produces first fall this year for car sales, which tumbled by 7.5 pct
The number of vehicles going into circulation for the first time dropped by 7.5 percent in April after a surge of 43.5 percent in the previous month, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data showed on Wednesday.
CPI increases by 1.6 pct in April
Τhe Greek Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 1.6 percent in April after rising by 1.7 percent in the previous month, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data showed on Wednesday.
Industrial production improves by another 8.7 percent in March
The Greek Industrial Production Index (IPI) grew by 8.7 percent in March following an upward revised growth of 11 percent in February, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data revealed on Wednesday.
Net job hirings hit high of 92,132 in April, driving 4-month figure to new record
The employment balance remained positive in April 2017, with net hirings rising to 92,132 from 90,631 last year, data from the Labour Ministry’s Ergani information system revealed on Tuesday.