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23 February 2024

Key events in EMEA next week

The focus of next week will be Poland's fourth quarter GDP flash estimate for 2023, which we expect to come in at 1.0% YoY. Also in focus will be the National Bank of Hungary's February meeting, where we're expecting to see a 100bp cut. In Turkey, we see full-year GDP growth for 2023 coming in at 4.5% YoY 

Poland: Flash estimate of fourth quarter GDP growth to be 1.0% YoY

GDP (4Q23): 1.0% YoY

We expect the flash estimate of 2023 fourth quarter GDP growth of 1.0% year-on-year to be confirmed in Poland next week. The StatOffice will also unveil the composition of economic growth in the final quarter. We estimate that households consumption stalled in the fourth quarter after rising by 0.8% YoY in the third quarter. At the same time, fixed investment likely continued rising at a solid pace (7-8% YoY). We estimate that foreign trade contributed positively to fourth quarter GDP growth last year, while change in inventories was still a serious drag on growth. We still remain positive on the 2024 outlook and we forecast consumption-led growth of 3%.

Hungary: We expect the NBH to deliver a 100bp cut

The main event next week in Hungary is the February rate-setting meeting. Favourable domestic developments (e.g., continued strong disinflation) strengthen the case for a larger rate cut, while FX stability and external risks justify a more cautious approach by the National Bank of Hungary. If market stability prevails, we expect the central bank to embrace the present and deliver a 100bp cut, temporarily accelerating the pace of monetary easing.

Elsewhere on the calendar, we will see the details behind the surprisingly ugly December trade balance data, which may give us a clue as to its nature (a temporary hiccup or the start of a bad trend). Last but not least, the manufacturing PMI will reflect the ongoing weakness of the Hungarian industry, which is affected by limited domestic and foreign demand, in our view.

Turkey: Full year GDP growth expected to be 4.5% tYoY

Despite the earthquakes in February, Turkish GDP recorded a strong 4.7% YoY in the first three quarters, mainly driven by domestic demand. However, there were signs of a slowdown in the growth trend in the last quarter. Accordingly, we expect it to come in at 4.1% YoY, with full year growth in 2023 at 4.5% YoY. There are signs of a boost to growth in the first quarter of this year with the rise in minimum wages and acceleration in budgetary spending.

Key events in EMEA next week

 - Source: Refinitiv, ING
Source: Refinitiv, ING
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