The Hungarian forint has dropped to its lowest level in 18 months, driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East and recent rate cuts by the National Bank of Hungary (NBH), prompting investors to pull back. Despite these challenges, the central bank has reassured markets that it will maintain a "disciplined and tight" monetary policy […]

After taking only a brief pause, the National Bank of Hungary (NBH) returned to its monetary easing path in September, cutting its key interest rate once again. The bank's latest forward guidance suggests a steady outlook on future rates, further fueling market expectations for another rate cut before the year is out. Hungary's decision to […]

Hungary’s central bank has taken a breather after a streak of 15 consecutive rate cuts, opting to leave interest rates unchanged at its latest policy meeting. However, policymakers hinted that the pause may be temporary, with room for further "cautious" rate cuts in the near future. This week, the central bank held the benchmark interest […]

Hungary's inflation rate inched up in July, surpassing the top end of the central bank's target range and narrowing the room for the continuation of its more than yearlong monetary-easing cycle. After two months of stagnation in the monthly rate of price increases, the pace of one-month inflation shows the same dynamic as the one […]

Hungary's economic landscape has shown signs of strain, with the last quarter's performance failing to meet analyst expectations and casting a shadow over the 2024 outlook. Despite previous rebounds, the nation's economy hit a snag, marking a concerning pause in its recovery trajectory. The Central Statistics Office (KSH) revealed a stagnant year-on-year output in the […]

In January 2024, inflation continued to fall at a rapid pace, the National Bank of Hungary (MNB) says in an analysis published this Friday. Consumer prices rose by 3.8% in annual terms, thus 34 months after March 2021 the price index fell back into the central bank tolerance band. Core inflation and core inflation excluding […]

The year 2023 saw inflation peak for more than a quarter of a century and then fall sharply in the second half of the year. The hard part is yet to come, however, as disinflation could slow significantly in 2024, so there is a real risk that price rises could still be stuck at significantly […]

Consumer prices increased by 12.2% on average compared to same month of the previous year, prices of motor fuels rose significantly, food prices decreased compared to August, the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) reported this Tuesday. Consumer prices were 12.2% higher on average in September 2023 than a year earlier. In one month, consumer prices […]

Online retailing achieved a gross turnover of HUF 631 billion in the first half of this year, 8.8% more than in the same period last year, according to the digital retailing survey by market research company GKID and Mastercard. The summary, says web sales grew 7.7% in the first quarter and 9.8% in the second […]

The rift between the Hungarian government and the central bank seems to be depening as both sides accuse the other of failing to combat soarting inflation. In the latest development, a top ranking politician said Hungary's central bank has struggled to control price rises, prompting the government to step in with its own measures. Hungary […]

National Bank of Hungary President György Matolcsy's recent scathing criticism of the government's economic policies has further revealed the growing rift between monetary authorities and the ruling administration. In a candid and sharp-tongued address delivered at a conference this week, Matolcsy accused the government of pursuing a reckless economic strategy that has led to a […]

As Hungary's economy faces headwinds, the government is preparing for a potential revision of its 2023 budget. The decision, which could have significant implications for the nation's fiscal strategy, will be made following the release of third-quarter economic data. The reassessment comes as the government acknowledges that its initial full-year growth projection has become increasingly […]

Hungary unexpectedly plunged deeper into recession, recording the longest period of economic contraction in at least 28 years as the war in Ukraine and the government’s economic policy stifle growth. Despite government statements to the contrary, economists are warning that growth may not pick up in the second half of the year, leading to a […]

The majority of household savings are in cash, due to high inflation we are experiencing a very serious loss of wealth, Hungarian households are losing several thousand billion forints due to inflation. As the annual inflation rate hovered just above 20% in June, the toll of skyrocketing consumer prices is adding up for Hungarians. Hungary […]

Consumer prices were 20.1% higher on average in June 2023 than a year earlier, the Central Statisrtical Office (KSH) reports. According to a statement by the National Bank of Hungary (MNB), the 1.4% decrease compared to the prevous month was due to lower increase in the prices of food and industrial products. The highest price […]