15
CEE macro outlook: is Emerging Europe on the way to a healthy recovery? EEMEA Economics and FX/FI Strategy October 2009 Gyula Toth, EEMEA Economics and FX/FI Strategy + 43 50505 82362

CEE macro outlook: is Emerging Europe on the way to a healthy recovery?

  • Upload
    judd

  • View
    18

  • Download
    0

Embed Size (px)

DESCRIPTION

CEE macro outlook: is Emerging Europe on the way to a healthy recovery?. EEMEA Economics and FX/FI Strategy. Gyula Toth, EEMEA Economics and FX/FI Strategy + 43 50505 82362. October 2009. Outlook summary. Supportive external demand: - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Citation preview

Page 1: CEE macro outlook: is Emerging Europe on the way to a healthy recovery?

CEE macro outlook: is Emerging Europe on the way to a healthy recovery?

EEMEA Economics and FX/FI Strategy

October 2009

Gyula Toth, EEMEA Economics and FX/FI Strategy + 43 50505 82362

Page 2: CEE macro outlook: is Emerging Europe on the way to a healthy recovery?

2

Outlook summary

Supportive external demand: External environment: huge inventory adjustment already behind us but fiscal stimulus played an important role This will support countries with a more open economies whilst these suffered the most in the slump As lack of demand is still the main reason for poor industrial production While CEE inventory reduction stabilized lately

Domestic demand remains soft: Meanwhile confidence in the service sector failed to recover meaningfully as CEE domestic demand remains week As there are big differences in CEE banking sectors’ lending ability Investments will only be driven higher by rebuilding of inventories in the near term Better export demand vs. soft domestic demand leads to significant adjustment in growth structure

External financing imbalance converted to fiscal imbalance: And this backdrop leads to a significant improvement in the CEE region’s Achilles heel = improvement in C/A Part of the missing demand was substituted by fiscal stimulus = external financing risk converted to fiscal risk

Monetary policy outlook: CEE monetary policy outlook is on balance still dovish While some currencies still look undervalued and Baltics FX is still stretched vs. CEE floating FX CEE event risk: devaluation risk did not disappear but contagion to broader CEE could be relatively contained

Page 3: CEE macro outlook: is Emerging Europe on the way to a healthy recovery?

3

CEE economies were hit by a simultaneous trade and finance shock

Source: IIF, Bloomberg, UniCredit Research

Finance shock: Private sector capital flows into EM will likely reach the 2002 level in 2009 but some

recovery expect in 2010. Bank lending books will likely contract in 2009 and only a very small recovery is

expected in 2010 as banks are still in deleveraging phase.

Trade shock: global trade activity came to an almost complete halt in Q4 2009. Recent fiscal stimulus and

inventory cycle has however seen a strong turnaround.

Capital flows into EM collapsed in 2009…

-200

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

19

95

19

96

19

97

19

98

19

99

20

00

20

01

20

02

20

03

20

04

20

05

20

06

20

07

20

08

20

09

f

20

10

f

Private sector capital flowsto EM

Bank lending to EM

USDbn

-30.0

-20.0

-10.0

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Motor vehicles Chemical

Electrical Machinery & equipment

as well as global trade activity

Page 4: CEE macro outlook: is Emerging Europe on the way to a healthy recovery?

4

Was it a trade or a finance shock for CEE economies (factors limiting industrial production, Quarterly EC Survey, Aug 09)

0

10

20

30

40

50

6020

03-Q

3

2004

-Q1

2004

-Q3

2005

-Q1

2005

-Q3

2006

-Q1

2006

-Q3

2007

-Q1

2007

-Q3

2008

-Q1

2008

-Q3

2009

-Q1

2009

-Q3

Demand

Finance

EMU

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

2003

-Q3

2004

-Q1

2004

-Q3

2005

-Q1

2005

-Q3

2006

-Q1

2006

-Q3

2007

-Q1

2007

-Q3

2008

-Q1

2008

-Q3

2009

-Q1

2009

-Q3

Demand

Finance

Czech Republic and Poland average

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

2003

-Q3

2004

-Q1

2004

-Q3

2005

-Q1

2005

-Q3

2006

-Q1

2006

-Q3

2007

-Q1

2007

-Q3

2008

-Q1

2008

-Q3

2009

-Q1

2009

-Q3

Demand

Finance

Baltics and Bulgaria average Hungary and Romania average

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

2003

-Q3

2004

-Q1

2004

-Q3

2005

-Q1

2005

-Q3

2006

-Q1

2006

-Q3

2007

-Q1

2007

-Q3

2008

-Q1

2008

-Q3

2009

-Q1

2009

-Q3

Demand

Finance

Source: European Commission, UniCredit Resarch

Page 5: CEE macro outlook: is Emerging Europe on the way to a healthy recovery?

5

Trade outlook: huge inventory adjustment already behind us but fiscal stimulus played an important role

Source: PMI, Markit, Bloomberg, UniCredit Research

At the turn of the year, investment growth collapsed, following the sudden halt in global and domestic

demand. The plunge was unprecedented, both for its depth and its speed. This has been largely the result

of a huge inventory adjustment process: with unsold goods piling up and financing hard to come by, firms

have slashed production even faster than the sudden and unexpected fall in global demand.

Recent signals coming from business surveys are surely encouraging and hint a sizeable rebound in the

manufacturing sector, thanks to inventory rebalancing. On the back of such a process, most surveys

are now approaching an area consistent with expansion economic activity.

New Orders /Inventories ratios in the industrial sector

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

Feb-07 Jul-07 Dec-07 May-08 Oct-08 Mar-09 Aug-09

Eurozone PMI

China PMI

US ISM

Page 6: CEE macro outlook: is Emerging Europe on the way to a healthy recovery?

6

While CEE inventory reduction stabilized lately as new order vs. inventory ratio started moving higher

New order inventory ratio stabilized lately But there is still some excess inventory in some countries

Source: European Commission, UniCredit Resarch, Bloomberg

New order to inventory ratios deteriorated during the crisis but started to stabilize in the last 4-5

months as slightly improved demand saw low level of inventories. The chart shows very little differentiation

based on macro vulnerabilities = the inventory cycle seems more of a unified process. Baltic rebalancing

started earlier. (chart 1)

But some countries (CZ and EE) still had relatively significant overhang compared to EU and to other

countries in the region. Poland, Romania and Bulgaria look relatively better from this perspective. (chart 2)

-2.5

-2.0

-1.5

-1.0

-0.5

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5Ja

n-0

6

Ap

r-0

6

Jul-0

6

Oct

-06

Jan

-07

Ap

r-0

7

Jul-0

7

Oct

-07

Jan

-08

Ap

r-0

8

Jul-0

8

Oct

-08

Jan

-09

Ap

r-0

9

Jul-0

9

Poland, Czech R. avg.

Baltics, Bulgaria avg.

Hungary, Romania avg.

Normalised confidence indicators: new order minus inventory

-80

-70

-60

-50

-40

-30

-20

-10

0

EE CZ EU SK LV LT HU BG RO PL

(New orders minus stock of finished goods) minus 10y

Page 7: CEE macro outlook: is Emerging Europe on the way to a healthy recovery?

7

This will support countries with a more open economies whilst these suffered the most in the slump

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Tu

rke

y

Se

rbia

Cro

atia

Ro

ma

nia

La

tvia

Bo

snia

-H.

Ru

ssia

Po

lan

d

CE

E-1

7

Lith

ua

nia

Ukr

ain

e

Bu

lga

ria

Est

on

ia

Ka

zaks

tan

Slo

ven

ia

Cze

ch R

ep

.

Hu

ng

ary

Slo

vaki

a

Exports % GDP

-40.0

-30.0

-20.0

-10.0

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

Jan

-05

Ap

r-0

5

Jul-0

5

Oct

-05

Jan

-06

Ap

r-0

6

Jul-0

6

Oct

-06

Jan

-07

Ap

r-0

7

Jul-0

7

Oct

-07

Jan

-08

Ap

r-0

8

Jul-0

8

Oct

-08

Jan

-09

Ap

r-0

9

Jul-0

9

-50

-40

-30

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

Averge HUF, CZK,PLN, TRY and RUBexport growth (y-o-y)

German factory orders(y-o-y growth), RHS

Significant difference in openness Export growth closely followed Germany/EU

Source: UniCredit Resarch, Bloomberg

Slovakia, Hungary and Czech Republic set to benefit the most from improving external demand for their

exports, they suffered the most in the downturn (chart 1)

Recent acceleration in German factory orders is boding well for the coming months (quarters)

Countries with a more closed economies have to rely on domestic demand where the health of the local

banking sector is crucial. We are most constructive on Turkey, Poland and the Czech Republic from this

perspective.

Page 8: CEE macro outlook: is Emerging Europe on the way to a healthy recovery?

8

Big differences in banking sectors’ lending ability. Credit growth showed correlation with retail sales

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Cze

ch R

.S

lova

kia

Tu

rke

yP

ola

nd

Cro

atia

Bo

snia

Bu

lga

ria

Ru

ssia

Ro

ma

nia

Se

rbia

Hu

ng

ary

Slo

ven

iaK

aza

khst

an

Lith

ua

nia

Est

on

iaU

kra

ine

La

tvia

Ph

ilip

pin

es

Ma

lays

iaB

razi

lIn

do

ne

sia

Ind

iaM

exi

coC

hin

aA

rge

ntin

aIs

rae

lT

ha

ilan

dC

hile

Ko

rea

Loan to deposit ratios (%)

Source: UniCredit Resarch, Fitch, IMF

Consumption growth is correlated with credit growth

-0.20

-0.10

0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

Ru

ssia

Cze

ch R

.

Slo

vak

R.

Ukr

ain

e+

Ro

ma

nia

*

La

tvia

*

Hu

ng

ary

*

Bu

lga

ria*

Po

lan

d*

Cro

atia

*

Correlation between retail sales growth and real household credit growth

Bank sector dependency on financial markets vs. deposits

The more difficult (and more expensive) financing environment means that CEE banking sectors are

actively reducing their loan to deposit ratios. (chart 1)

There are however big differences in the region as the Baltics, Ukraine and Kazakhstan relied more on non

deposit financing. Loan to deposit ratios were well exceeding 150% in these countries running into the crisis.

Bringing these loan to deposit ratios to 150% (still high) over two years would require about 10-15%

annual contraction of the loan book (assuming a 5% per annum deposit growth).

Historical correlation shows that credit growth was positively correlated with retails sales growth (chart 2)

Page 9: CEE macro outlook: is Emerging Europe on the way to a healthy recovery?

9

Indeed lending growth slowed dramatically in the last year with many countries already showing negative y-o-y figures

Source: UniCredit Research, IMF IFS

Private sector lending growth (annualized 3M moving avg.)

Private sector lending is contracting at around 10% annualized rate in the Baltic countries (chart 1).

Bulgaria and Romania are still showing positive numbers but the trend is downward here as well.

Other countries avoided loan portfolios contraction so far (also “helped” by FX weakness in some countries)

but again the trend is downward as well.

Despite lower loan to deposit ratios lending in Turkey, Poland and Czech Republic is also slowing but this

is probably more related to demand factors as well.

-20.0

-10.0

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0Ju

l-06

Se

p-0

6

No

v-0

6

Jan

-07

Ma

r-0

7

Ma

y-0

7

Jul-0

7

Se

p-0

7

No

v-0

7

Jan

-08

Ma

r-0

8

Ma

y-0

8

Jul-0

8

Se

p-0

8

No

v-0

8

Jan

-09

Ma

r-0

9

EE

LV

LT

BG

RO

-20.0

0.0

20.0

40.0

60.0

80.0

100.0

Jun

-06

Au

g-0

6

Oct

-06

De

c-0

6

Fe

b-0

7

Ap

r-0

7

Jun

-07

Au

g-0

7

Oct

-07

De

c-0

7

Fe

b-0

8

Ap

r-0

8

Jun

-08

Au

g-0

8

Oct

-08

De

c-0

8

Fe

b-0

9

Ap

r-0

9

CZ

RU

KZ

TR

PL

UA

Private sector lending growth (annualized 3M moving avg.)

Page 10: CEE macro outlook: is Emerging Europe on the way to a healthy recovery?

10

And this backdrop leads to a significant improvement in the CEE region’s Achilles heel = improvement in current account balances

Source: National Central Banks, UniCredit Research

-25.00%

-20.00%

-15.00%

-10.00%

-5.00%

0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

De

c-0

5

Ma

r-0

6

Jun

-06

Se

p-0

6

De

c-0

6

Ma

r-0

7

Jun

-07

Se

p-0

7

De

c-0

7

Ma

r-0

8

Jun

-08

Se

p-0

8

De

c-0

8

Ma

r-0

9

Jun

-09

12M cumulated (C/A +FDI) / GDP

6M cumulated (C/A +FDI) / GDP

Latvia: financing gap

-6.00%

-5.00%

-4.00%

-3.00%

-2.00%

-1.00%

0.00%

1.00%

De

c-0

5

Ma

r-0

6

Jun

-06

Se

p-0

6

De

c-0

6

Ma

r-0

7

Jun

-07

Se

p-0

7

De

c-0

7

Ma

r-0

8

Jun

-08

Se

p-0

8

De

c-0

8

Ma

r-0

9

Jun

-09

12M cumulated (C/A +FDI) / GDP

6M cumulated (C/A +FDI) / GDP

Turkey: financing gap

-12.00%

-10.00%

-8.00%

-6.00%

-4.00%

-2.00%

0.00%

2.00%

De

c-0

5

Ma

r-0

6

Jun

-06

Se

p-0

6

De

c-0

6

Ma

r-0

7

Jun

-07

Se

p-0

7

De

c-0

7

Ma

r-0

8

Jun

-08

Se

p-0

8

De

c-0

8

Ma

r-0

9

Jun

-09

12M cumulated (C/A +FDI) / GDP

6M cumulated (C/A +FDI) / GDP

Romania: financing gap

-4.00%

-3.00%

-2.00%

-1.00%

0.00%

1.00%

2.00%

3.00%

De

c-0

5

Ma

r-0

6

Jun

-06

Se

p-0

6

De

c-0

6

Ma

r-0

7

Jun

-07

Se

p-0

7

De

c-0

7

Ma

r-0

8

Jun

-08

Se

p-0

8

De

c-0

8

Ma

r-0

9

Jun

-09

12M cumulated (C/A +FDI) / GDP

6M cumulated (C/A +FDI) / GDP

Poland: financing gap

Page 11: CEE macro outlook: is Emerging Europe on the way to a healthy recovery?

11

Part of the missing demand was substituted by fiscal stimulus = external financing risk converted to fiscal risk

Source: Finance ministries, UniCredit Research

-14.0

-12.0

-10.0

-8.0

-6.0

-4.0

-2.0

0.0

2.0K

Z

RU

EE

UK JP US SI

BG LV

CZ

DE

UA

SR

B

PL

HR IT TK

RO

SK LT

HU

Budget deficit / GDP (2010 minus 2007)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Ru

ssia

Est

on

ia

Ka

zaks

tan

Lith

ua

nia

Bu

lga

ria

Slo

ven

ia

Ukr

ain

e

Ro

ma

nia

Se

rbia

Cze

ch R

.

Slo

vaki

a

Cro

atia

La

tvia

Tu

rke

y

Po

lan

d

Hu

ng

ary

2008

2009E

2010E

Public sector debt (% of GDP)

Kazakhstan & Russia faces the biggest deterioration in budget deficit partly due to falling commodity prices

and lower revenues. Hungary seems to be the only country which manages to have lower budget deficit in

2010 than in 2007. (chart 1)

But the level of total public sector debt is the lowest in Russia, Kazakhstan whilst Hungary will still have the

highest debt. Dynamics is however moving in favour of Hungary vs. Poland for instance (chart 2).

Recently investors focused on Poland and Turkey due to sharply deteriorating dynamics and some

concerns about credibility.

Page 12: CEE macro outlook: is Emerging Europe on the way to a healthy recovery?

12

Some CEE currencies still look undervalued and Baltics FX is still stretched vs. CEE floating FX

Source: BIS, UniCredit Research

-12.0%

-10.0%

-8.0%

-6.0%

-4.0%

-2.0%

0.0%

2.0%

4.0%

Ru

ssia

Ro

ma

nia

Po

lan

d

Cze

ch R

.

Tu

rke

y

Bu

lga

ria

La

tvia

Est

on

ia

Cro

atia

Hu

ng

ary

Lith

ua

nia

Undervalued

Overvalued

Current REER / 5y trend REER

RUB, RON & PLN still undervalued vs. 5y REER trend

-10.0%

-5.0%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

Jan

-02

Jul-0

2

Jan

-03

Jul-0

3

Jan

-04

Jul-0

4

Jan

-05

Jul-0

5

Jan

-06

Jul-0

6

Jan

-07

Jul-0

7

Jan

-08

Jul-0

8

Jan

-09

Jul-0

9

Baltics, Bulgaria REER vs. CEE free floating REER

Fixed FX overvalued vs. free floating FX

Fixed FX still around 10% overvalued vs. floating FX

Baltic and Bulgarian real effective exchange rate still looks around 10% overvalued vs. CEE free floating

FX but the level of divergence significantly declined recently on the back of CEE appreciation. (chart 1)

The RUB, RON and PLN still look about 5-10% undervalued vs. its own 5y trend whilst the other currencies

are around their respective fair values. (chart 2).

Page 13: CEE macro outlook: is Emerging Europe on the way to a healthy recovery?

13

Your contacts

UniCredit Group

Gyula Toth

Vice President

EEMEA Economics & FI/FX Strategy

Global Economics & FI/FX Research

UniCredit Markets & Investment Banking

UniCredit CA IB AG

Tel: +43-(0)50505-82362

Imprint

Markets & Investment BankingUniCredit CA IB AG Global Economics & FI/FX Research

Julius Tandler Platz1090 Vienna

Page 14: CEE macro outlook: is Emerging Europe on the way to a healthy recovery?

14

Disclaimer

The information in this publication is based on carefully selected sources believed to be reliable but we do not make any representation as to its accuracy or completeness. Any opinions herein reflect our judgement at the date hereof and are subject to change without notice. Any investments discussed or recommended in this report may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial position. Any reports provided herein are provided for general information purposes only and cannot substitute the obtaining of independent financial advice. Private investors should obtain the advice of their banker/broker about any investments concerned prior to making them. Nothing in this publication is intended to create contractual obligations on any of the entities composing UniCredit Markets & Investment Banking Division which is composed of (the respective divisions of) Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG, Munich, Bank Austria Creditanstalt AG, Vienna, Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG, Milan branch and certain of their subsidiaries.

Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG is regulated by the German Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), Bank Austria Creditanstalt AG is regulated by the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) and Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG, Milan branch is regulated by Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa (Consob).

Note to UK Residents:

In the United Kingdom, this publication is being communicated on a confidential basis only to clients of UniCredit Markets & Investment Banking Division (acting through Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank, London Branch ("HVB London") and/or CA IB International Markets Limited and/or CAIB Corporate Finance Limited) who (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments being investment professionals as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 ("FPO"); and/or (ii) are falling within Article 49(2) (a) – (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.") of the FPO (or, to the extent that this publication relates to an unregulated collective scheme, to professional investors as defined in Article 14(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Promotion of Collective Investment Schemes) (Exemptions) Order 2001 and/or (iii) to whom it may be lawful to communicate it, other than private investors (all such persons being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). This publication is only directed at Relevant Persons and any investment or investment activity to which this publication relates is only available to Relevant Persons or will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons. Solicitations resulting from this publication will only be responded to if the person concerned is a Relevant Person. Other persons should not rely or act upon this publication or any of its contents.

The information provided herein (including any report set out herein) does not constitute a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell any securities. The information in this publication is based on carefully selected sources believed to be reliable but we do not make any representation as to its accuracy or completeness. Any opinions herein reflect our judgement at the date hereof and are subject to change without notice.

We and/or any other entity of the UniCredit Markets & Investment Banking Division may from time to time with respect to securities mentioned in this publication (i) take a long or short position and buy or sell such securities; (ii) act as investment bankers and/or commercial bankers for issuers of such securities; (iii) be represented on the board of any issuers of such securities; (iv) engage in "market making" of such securities; (v) have a consulting relationship with any issuer. Any investments discussed or recommended in any report provided herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial position. Any information provided herein is provided for general information purposes only and cannot substitute the obtaining of independent financial advice.

HVB London is regulated by the Financial Services Authority for the conduct of investment business in the UK. CA IB International Markets Limited, London, and CA IB Corporate Finance Limited, London, two subsidiaries of Bank Austria Creditanstalt AG, are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Notwithstanding the above, if this publication relates to securities subject to the Prospectus Directive (2005) it is sent to you on the basis that you are a Qualified Investor for the purposes of the directive or any relevant implementing legislation of a European Economic Area ("EEA") Member State which has implemented the Prospectus Directive and it must not be given to any person who is not a Qualified Investor. By being in receipt of this publication you undertake that you will only offer or sell the securities described in this publication in circumstances which do not require the production of a prospectus under Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or any relevant implementing legislation of an EEA Member State which has implemented the Prospectus Directive.

Note to US Residents:

The information provided herein or contained in any report provided herein is intended solely for institutional clients of UniCredit Markets & Investment Banking Division acting through Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG, New York Branch and HVB Capital Markets, Inc. (together "HVB") in the United States, and may not be used or relied upon by any other person for any purpose. It does not constitute a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell any securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under any other US federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations. Investments in securities discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors, depending on their specific investment objectives, risk tolerance and financial position.

In jurisdictions where HVB is not registered or licensed to trade in securities, commodities or other financial products, any transaction may be effected only in accordance with applicable laws and legislation, which may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and may require that a transaction be made in accordance with applicable exemptions from registration or licensing requirements.

All information contained herein is based on carefully selected sources believed to be reliable, but HVB makes no representations as to its accuracy or completeness. Any opinions contained herein reflect HVB's judgement as of the original date of publication, without regard to the date on which you may receive such information, and are subject to change without notice.

HVB may have issued other reports that are inconsistent with, and reach different conclusions from, the information presented in any report provided herein. Those reports reflect the different assumptions, views and analytical methods of the analysts who prepared them. Past performance should not be taken as an indication or guarantee of further performance, and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made regarding future performance.

HVB and/or any other entity of UniCredit Markets & Investment Banking Division may from time to time, with respect to any securities discussed herein: (i) take a long or short position and buy or sell such securities; (ii) act as investment and/or commercial bankers for issuers of such securities; (iii) be represented on the board of such issuers; (iv) engage in "market-making" of such securities; and (v) act as a paid consultant or adviser to any issuer.

The information contained in any report provided herein may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of US federal securities laws that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause a company's actual results and financial condition to differ from its expectations include, without limitation: Political uncertainty, changes in economic conditions that adversely affect the level of demand for the company‘s products or services, changes in foreign exchange markets, changes in international and domestic financial markets, competitive environments and other factors relating to the foregoing. All forward-looking statements contained in this report are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

UniCredit Markets & Investment Banking DivisionBayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG, Munich; Bank Austria Creditanstalt AG, Vienna; CA IB International Markets AG, Vienna; Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG, Milan branch

Page 15: CEE macro outlook: is Emerging Europe on the way to a healthy recovery?

15

Disclaimer

The information in this publication is based on carefully selected sources believed to be reliable but we do not make any representation as to its accuracy or completeness. Any opinions herein reflect our judgement at the date hereof and are subject to change without notice. Any investments discussed or recommended in this report may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial position. Any reports provided herein are provided for general information purposes only and cannot substitute the obtaining of independent financial advice. Private investors should obtain the advice of their banker/broker about any investments concerned prior to making them. Nothing in this publication is intended to create contractual obligations on any of the entities composing UniCredit Markets & Investment Banking Division which is composed of (the respective divisions of) Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG, Munich, Bank Austria Creditanstalt AG, Vienna, Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG, Milan branch and certain of their subsidiaries.

Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG is regulated by the German Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), Bank Austria Creditanstalt AG is regulated by the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) and Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG, Milan branch is regulated by Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa (Consob).

Note to UK Residents:

In the United Kingdom, this publication is being communicated on a confidential basis only to clients of UniCredit Markets & Investment Banking Division (acting through Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank, London Branch ("HVB London") and/or CA IB International Markets Limited and/or CAIB Corporate Finance Limited) who (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments being investment professionals as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 ("FPO"); and/or (ii) are falling within Article 49(2) (a) – (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.") of the FPO (or, to the extent that this publication relates to an unregulated collective scheme, to professional investors as defined in Article 14(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Promotion of Collective Investment Schemes) (Exemptions) Order 2001 and/or (iii) to whom it may be lawful to communicate it, other than private investors (all such persons being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). This publication is only directed at Relevant Persons and any investment or investment activity to which this publication relates is only available to Relevant Persons or will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons. Solicitations resulting from this publication will only be responded to if the person concerned is a Relevant Person. Other persons should not rely or act upon this publication or any of its contents.

The information provided herein (including any report set out herein) does not constitute a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell any securities. The information in this publication is based on carefully selected sources believed to be reliable but we do not make any representation as to its accuracy or completeness. Any opinions herein reflect our judgement at the date hereof and are subject to change without notice.

We and/or any other entity of the UniCredit Markets & Investment Banking Division may from time to time with respect to securities mentioned in this publication (i) take a long or short position and buy or sell such securities; (ii) act as investment bankers and/or commercial bankers for issuers of such securities; (iii) be represented on the board of any issuers of such securities; (iv) engage in "market making" of such securities; (v) have a consulting relationship with any issuer. Any investments discussed or recommended in any report provided herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial position. Any information provided herein is provided for general information purposes only and cannot substitute the obtaining of independent financial advice.

HVB London is regulated by the Financial Services Authority for the conduct of investment business in the UK. CA IB International Markets Limited, London, and CA IB Corporate Finance Limited, London, two subsidiaries of Bank Austria Creditanstalt AG, are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Notwithstanding the above, if this publication relates to securities subject to the Prospectus Directive (2005) it is sent to you on the basis that you are a Qualified Investor for the purposes of the directive or any relevant implementing legislation of a European Economic Area ("EEA") Member State which has implemented the Prospectus Directive and it must not be given to any person who is not a Qualified Investor. By being in receipt of this publication you undertake that you will only offer or sell the securities described in this publication in circumstances which do not require the production of a prospectus under Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or any relevant implementing legislation of an EEA Member State which has implemented the Prospectus Directive.

Note to US Residents:

The information provided herein or contained in any report provided herein is intended solely for institutional clients of UniCredit Markets & Investment Banking Division acting through Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG, New York Branch and HVB Capital Markets, Inc. (together "HVB") in the United States, and may not be used or relied upon by any other person for any purpose. It does not constitute a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell any securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under any other US federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations. Investments in securities discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors, depending on their specific investment objectives, risk tolerance and financial position.

In jurisdictions where HVB is not registered or licensed to trade in securities, commodities or other financial products, any transaction may be effected only in accordance with applicable laws and legislation, which may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and may require that a transaction be made in accordance with applicable exemptions from registration or licensing requirements.

All information contained herein is based on carefully selected sources believed to be reliable, but HVB makes no representations as to its accuracy or completeness. Any opinions contained herein reflect HVB's judgement as of the original date of publication, without regard to the date on which you may receive such information, and are subject to change without notice.

HVB may have issued other reports that are inconsistent with, and reach different conclusions from, the information presented in any report provided herein. Those reports reflect the different assumptions, views and analytical methods of the analysts who prepared them. Past performance should not be taken as an indication or guarantee of further performance, and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made regarding future performance.

HVB and/or any other entity of UniCredit Markets & Investment Banking Division may from time to time, with respect to any securities discussed herein: (i) take a long or short position and buy or sell such securities; (ii) act as investment and/or commercial bankers for issuers of such securities; (iii) be represented on the board of such issuers; (iv) engage in "market-making" of such securities; and (v) act as a paid consultant or adviser to any issuer.

The information contained in any report provided herein may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of US federal securities laws that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause a company's actual results and financial condition to differ from its expectations include, without limitation: Political uncertainty, changes in economic conditions that adversely affect the level of demand for the company‘s products or services, changes in foreign exchange markets, changes in international and domestic financial markets, competitive environments and other factors relating to the foregoing. All forward-looking statements contained in this report are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

UniCredit Markets & Investment Banking DivisionBayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG, Munich; Bank Austria Creditanstalt AG, Vienna; CA IB International Markets AG, Vienna; Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG, Milan branch