Annual inflation decelerated slightly in September as electricity prices declined. In September, prices rose by 23.7%, over the year, and 0.3%, over the month. Around half of the annual change in prices came directly from higher energy prices, especially electricity…
The housing affordability index (HAI) slipped as abnormal price growth gained momentum. Falling affordability and purchasing power, as well as bleak expectations, are likely to curb demand and stifle price growth. The record-high housing affordability that we have seen over…
Card spending shows that people are slow in adjusting their spending habits despite collapsing purchasing power Card turnover, adjusted for inflation, has started limping in recent months People keep spending considerably more than last year or before the pandemic and…
Although average wage growth accelerated to 10.1% in the second quarter, it comforts consumers little when inflation was 20.2%. The average wage rose rapidly in all economic sectors. Wages grew the most in accommodation and catering (+18.6%, over the year),…
In the second quarter, the situation in the labor market was still good in Estonia. Employment was high and unemployment low. According to Statistics Estonia, in the second quarter, the unemployment rate was 5.8% and the number of the employed…
All main rates hiked by 50bps, more than markets expected Transmission protection instrument (TPI) introduced The Governing Council raised all three key ECB interest rates by 50bps – more than markets and most economists have expected. As we expected, new…
In June, consumer prices rose by 21.9% year-on-year and by 2.7% month-on-month. The price increase accelerated again in annual and monthly terms. Energy accounted for around 60% of the total increase in prices. The price of electricity has doubled, and…
Over the quarter, housing affordability deteriorated in all three Baltic capitals. Compared with the same period last year, the housing affordability index (HAI) increased in Vilnius but declined in Riga and Tallinn, with the Estonian capital registering a more pronounced…
Retreating pandemic risks and looser virus curbs have made shopping and services consumption more accessible and more enjoyable in the Baltics. According to the Google mobility data, the flow of people in retail stores and recreation places was notably larger…
COMMENTARY FROM MANAGEMENT Merko Ehitus sales revenue in the first quarter was EUR 68.4 million and net profit EUR 3.0 million. The sales revenue for the 3 months of 2022 increased by 14% compared to the same period of previous…
AS Merko Ehitus consolidated audited financial results for 2021 remain unchanged compared to the preliminary disclosure on 10 February 2022. STATEMENT OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD 2021 was a successful year for Merko. We fulfilled the group’s financial…
Wage growth was rapid in the fourth quarter of last year (+7.3%, over the year), but uneven, and lagged price rises. Swedbank estimates that the average net wage will increase by 6% this year, but consumer prices will increase even…
Prices increased by 12.2%, over the year, in December. Inflation reached 12% last time in the 1990s. More than half of the price increase came from higher energy prices, mainly electricity. The rise in consumer prices is expected to accelerate…
Annual inflation reached 8.8% in November. The prices of energy and food contributed the most. Price growth is likely to accelerate further in December. The rise in prices is expected to decelerate next spring. Inflation picked up as expected. Inflation…
In September, consumer prices increased by 6.6%, over the year. 60% of the increase in prices came from energy products, especially more expensive electricity and motor fuels. Wages and pensions have risen at least as much as prices. Higher prices…
