The IMF new World Economic Outlook report projects that advanced economies as a group will continue to expand above their potential growth rates this year and next before decelerating, while growth in emerging market and developing economies will rise before leveling off. For most countries, current favorable growth rates will not last.

March’s inflation decelerated by a tick in line with our expectations and is currently half of a percentage point below the CNB forecast. The reason is mainly lower food price dynamics as well as a drop in fuel prices. Although the unemployment statistics indicate a record tightness on the labour market, core inflation decelerated slightly. Year-on-year inflation dropped to this year’s low and should reach the 2% CNB target this summer.