Analysis

Poor Q4 2023 Data Overshadows January’s Headline Inflation News

The unexpected base rate cut of 100 basis points in late February undermined support for the forint....

Analysis

Chamber of Commerce Corner, February 23, 2024

This regular section of the Budapest Business Journal features news and events from various international business chambers. For further information...

Analysis

Industry 4.0, 5.0 Necessary to Build Future-Proof Businesses

Some may already be starting to talk about Industry 5.0, but the harsh reality is that there are hardly any...

Analysis

BME Promises Graduates a Future-proof Education

New professions are constantly popping up thanks to the speed at which robotics, AI, machine learning and virtual reality are...

Analysis

Embracing Industry 4.0: Free Your SME From the ‘Excel Monster’

Hungarian SMEs can have a hard time finding resources for development, including digitizing their manufacturing business. Catching up with multinational...

Analysis

A Digital Future Awaits Hungarian Agriculture

With support from government financing programs, many Hungarian farmers are leaning into digitization and the modernization of the domestic agricultural...

Analysis

OECD Acknowledges Return of Growth, Urges Price Pressure Vigilance

The OECD acknowledged the restart of economic growth and receding CPI in Hungary, but said fiscal and monetary policy needed...

Analysis

Economic Recovery Depends on Easing Household and Corporate Caution

Minister of National Economy Márton Nagy said the recovery in retail consumption and a pickup in corporate investment required an...

Analysis

Serbia Retail Sales Rise on Year in January

Serbia's retail sales increased by real 4.1% year-on-year in January, after rising by 3.6% in December, the Belgrade-based Central Statistical...

Analysis

Reading the Real Estate Crystal Ball for 2024

After an economically turbulent 2023, what’s in store for the real estate business in 2024? Senior Colliers experts Kristóf Tóth...

Analysis

Hungarian SMEs Gain Ground in Public Procurement Amid Market Shifts

In 2023, successful Hungarian public procurement deals were worth nearly HUF 3 trillion. The competitive landscape intensified as, on average,...

Analysis

PwC Hungary 13th Annual CEO Survey

On these pages, we explore in more depth some of the details revealed by the 2023 survey....

Analysis

PwC Says CEOs Less Concerned, Cautiously Optimistic for 2024

Based on the results of its 13th annual domestic CEO Survey, consultancy PwC Hungary says confidence in both global and...

Analysis

Global M&A Deals Down by 1/5, Hungary Does Even Worse

“Mostly macro negative circumstances” cut global M&A activity by more than one-fifth; in Hungary, the slump is even worse, according...

Analysis

Editorial: Ukraine War Justifies Defense Spending

One of the themes that came out of the CEO Breakfast meeting we put on with the German-Hungarian Chamber of...

Analysis

One in Six Hungarian Adults Has Lost Money to Cyberfraud, CIB Survey Finds

Nearly half of Hungarian adults have encountered a cyberfraud attempt, and 16% have lost money, according to a representative survey...

Analysis

Economic and Geopolitical Uncertainty Should Change how we Grow, not Whether we Grow

Economic volatility, geopolitical disruption, and technological change are making long-term decisions harder for business leaders. Yet uncertainty does not remove...

Analysis

Hungary’s GDP Grows 1.5% in Q3 as Industry Offsets Drought Hit

Hungary’s GDP grew 1.5% year-on-year in the Q3 2026, supported by industry and services, while drought-hit agriculture held back the...

Analysis

Hungary Sets 2030 Euro Readiness Goal in Growth and Deficit Plan

Hungary aims to meet the conditions for euro adoption by 2030 while lifting growth above 3% and reducing budget deficit...

Analysis

Hungarian Business Confidence Improves as Consumer Sentiment Weakens

Business confidence edged higher in Hungary in October, while consumer sentiment deteriorated, according to economic research institute GKI....

Analysis

Kopint-Tárki Forecasts Hungary’s GDP Growth at 2.5% in 2027

Economic research institute Kopint-Tárki expects Hungary’s GDP to grow by approximately 2.5% in 2027, according to a new forecast released...

Analysis

MNB Keeps Base Rate Unchanged, Lower Inflation Target Signals Tighter Stance

The Monetary Council of the National Bank of Hungary (MNB) left Hungary’s benchmark rate at 5.5% at its most recent...

Analysis

Hungarian Business Groups Urge Changes to Draft Wealth Tax

Fourteen Hungarian business organizations have issued a joint statement calling for changes to the proposed wealth tax, including relief for...

Analysis

AI Boom, USD 100 Oil and 5% Bond Yields Reshape Investment Outlook

An AI-driven technology rally, oil prices above USD 100 and U.S. Treasury yields around 5% are reshaping investment opportunities, according...

Analysis

VOSZ Business Confidence Index Declines in Q3 2026

Hungarian business association VOSZ’s business confidence index fell two percentage points to 50% in the third quarter of 2026, according...

Analysis

Editorial: In Praise of the Diplomatic Dance

The improved mood evident across Hungary following the Tisza government’s assumption of power appears to have extended well beyond the...

Analysis

EY Urges Early Preparation for Hungary’s Proposed Wealth Tax

Hungary’s proposed wealth tax could create new obligations for wealthy individuals, trusts and private foundations, with the first assessment generally...

Analysis

IMF Sees Window for Hungary’s Economic Revival, Urges Swift Reforms

Hungary has a “uniquely favorable window of opportunity” to revitalize its economy, but must act quickly to turn market confidence...

Analysis

Equilor: 2033 Earliest Date for Hungary to Adopt the Euro

Hungary could adopt the euro no earlier than 2033, according to a new assessment by Equilor Investment, which acknowledges improving...