Erste Bank Research Team
Erste Bank
On the radar
Trade balance in Slovakia (August) arrived at EUR 141 million, in Croatia will be released at 11 (July).
Hungarian central bank will release the minutes form the meeting in the afternoon.
Tomorrow in the morning, Hungary and Czechia will publish August’s inflation rates.
Economic developments
In the second quarter of 2024, house prices increased by 1.3% y/y in the Eurozone and by 2.9% y/y in the EU. In the CEE region (CEE7 excluding Serbia), the growth of house prices was even more dynamic, as it reached an average of 8.5% y/y. Poland, Croatia, and Hungary saw the highest growth rates of house prices in the second quarter. In Poland, the growth was in double-digits and as high as 17.7% y/y. In Croatia and Hungary, it was close to 10%. The lowest growth dynamics, close to 4% y/y in the second quarter, were reported in Czechia and Slovakia. Moreover, only these two countries experienced a decline in growth rates between the second quarter of 2023 and the beginning of 2024. Over the course of 2023, the growth of house prices clearly bottomed out, and economic recovery is in line with further house price increases.
Market developments
Today, the Hungarian central bank will publish the minutes from the central bank meeting, during which the bank had decided to lower the key interest rate after the pause in August. As for October’s meeting, the recent volatility on the FX market may hold off the central bank with monetary easing according to Deputy Governor Virag. In Poland, the consensus among the MPC members to begin monetary policy in March 2025 has been growing. The MPC member Janczak admitted that if inflation and growth projections in March 2025 confirm that inflation peaked, the way to monetary easing opens. As for bond market-related news, the Polish Finance Minister commented that Poland targets reaching the 3% of GDP limit in the budget deficit in 2028 only, as it wants to avoid spending cuts. Today, the bond auctions will be held in Poland. The CEE currencies strengthened on Tuesday against the euro, while long-term interest rates showed little movement.
This document is intended as an additional information source, aimed towards our customers. It is based on the best resources available to the authors at press time. The information and data sources utilised are deemed reliable, however, Erste Bank Sparkassen (CR) and affiliates do not take any responsibility for accuracy nor completeness of the information contained herein. This document is neither an offer nor an invitation to buy or sell any securities.
Recommended Content
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD drops toward 1.0950 on tepid risk sentiment
EUR/USD is seeing a fresh selling wave toward 1.0950 in the European session on Wednesday, as the US Dollar resumes upside amid lingering Chinese economic concerns and the Middle East escalation. The focus now stays on the ECB/ Fed-speak and the FOMC Minutes.
GBP/USD sits at multi-week low below 1.3100, awaits FOMC minutes
GBP/USD is trading close to multi-week lows below 1.3100 in the European trading hours on Wednesday. The US Dollar adds to recent gains amid risk aversion, awaiting the Fed Minutes for a fresh directional impetus in the pair.
Gold price struggles to lure buyers as smaller Fed rate cut bets underpin USD
Gold price remains under some selling pressure for the sixth successive day on Wednesday and is currently placed just above a three-week low, around the $2,605-2,604 region touched the previous day.
Bitcoin shows signs of weakness
Bitcoin is hovering at a critical support level, and a drop below it could signal a downturn, while Ethereum and Ripple are approaching important resistance levels, where a rejection might indicate a shift towards bearish momentum.
RBA widely expected to keep key interest rate unchanged amid persisting price pressures
The Reserve Bank of Australia is likely to continue bucking the trend adopted by major central banks of the dovish policy pivot, opting to maintain the policy for the seventh consecutive meeting on Tuesday.
Five best Forex brokers in 2024
VERIFIED Choosing the best Forex broker in 2024 requires careful consideration of certain essential factors. With the wide array of options available, it is crucial to find a broker that aligns with your trading style, experience level, and financial goals.