Macroeconomy
General gov't primary cash surplus widens to 3.2 bln in March, arrears jump to 6.7 bln
Greece’s general government (gg) primary cash surplus almost tripled to 3.22 billion euros in the first quarter (Q1) of 2016 from 1.1 billion in the corresponding period last year, the Finance Ministry (MoF) gg bulletin showed on Monday.
Corporate lending rates fell in March, time deposit rate slightly down to a new low of 0.88 pct
Greek households’ new time deposit rate eased for the third straight month, albeit modestly, by 3 basis points (bps) to 0.88 percent in March, Bank of Greece (BoG) data displayed on Wednesday.
PMI edges up to 49.7 in Apr, highest reading in last three months but concerns remain
Greece’s Manufacturing PMI rebounded for the second straight month by 0.7 points to 49.7 in April, Markit survey displayed on Wednesday.
Economic sentiment edges up to to 90.3 in April, consumer confidence falls for fourth month
Greece’s economic sentiment (ESI) rose for the second straight month in April, albeit by just 0.2 points to 90.3, according to European Commission (EC) data published on Thursday.
Retail sales down 7.3 pct in Feb for highest drop since July 2015
The turnover of Greece’s retail trade index fell at the notably faster pace of 7.3 percent in February from a revised 3.5 percent drop in January, Hellenic Statistical Agency (ELSTAT) figures showed on Thursday.
Credit contraction slows to 2.1 pct in March, loan deductions fall to 146 mln
Greek bank credit contraction decelerated to 2.1 percent in March after a short-lived acceleration to 2.3 percent in February, Bank of Greece (BoG) figures showed on Wednesday.
Marginal deposit inflows of 55 mln in March
Greek private sector deposits recorded marginal inflows of 55 million euros in March from outflows of 548 million in February, Bank of Greece (BoG) data displayed on Wednesday.
Parliament's budget office highlights economic challenges beyond bailout
The economic challenges that Greece faces should it conclude the first bailout review with the institutions are outlined in the latest quarterly report of the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO).
Disposable income edges up by 0.2 pct in Q4 on second straight rise in compensation of employees
Greek household disposable income recorded a rise of 0.2 percent in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2015 from a revised drop of 2.8 percent in Q3, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) figures showed on Tuesday.
Underspend and improving revenues lead to budget primary surplus of 2.67 bln in Q1
Greece’s budget primary surplus in the first quarter of 2016 was confirmed at 2.67 billion euros, which was 940 million higher than last year’s figure of 1.73 billion, according to the Finance Ministry’s final budget bulletin.