Highlights

Cyprus emerged as one of the strongest fiscal performers in the European Union in 2025, according to data released by Eurostat, achieving a budget surplus at a time when most member states continued to run deficits. The figures indicate that Cyprus was among a small group of countries to record a government surplus, reaching 3.4 per cent of GDP. It joined Denmark at 2.9 per cent, Ireland at 1.8 per cent, Greece at 1.7 per cent and Portugal at 0.7 per cent, standing in clear c

China’s economy expanded more rapidly than analysts had predicted in the first quarter of the year, even as the global economy grappled with the fallout from the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran.   Official figures show that gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 5% compared to the same period last year, exceeding economists’ expectations of around 4.8%.   The stronger-than-anticipated performance comes despite significant disruption caused by the Middle East conflict, whic

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has released a comprehensive report assessing the role of intellectual property as a mechanism for financing innovative enterprises across Europe, arguing that the region is significantly underutilising one of its most valuable economic assets. The study, titled intellectual property-backed financing in Europe, concludes that although the European Union remains strong in research capacity, innovation output, and entrepre

The Bank of Cyprus announced on Wednesday that its board of directors has formally approved the annual financial report for the year ending December 31, 2025, reaffirming a year marked by solid profitability, sustained lending expansion and a strong capital base. The report incorporates the audited financial statements of the Bank of Cyprus Group, which includes the holding company, Bank of Cyprus Public Company Limited and its subsidiaries. The full annual financial report h

ENI and Egypt have revealed a substantial natural gas discovery in the Eastern Mediterranean, a development that could provide much-needed relief for Cairo and potentially support energy supplies in Europe as the ongoing Iran war continues to drive up import costs. The Italian energy group confirmed the find in a statement on Tuesday, highlighting its significance at a time when energy markets remain under intense pressure. Initial estimates suggest the Temsah field, located

Global oil prices experienced a sharp decline and stock markets surged following the announcement of a conditional two-week ceasefire deal between the United States and Iran, which includes the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Benchmark Brent crude fell approximately 13% to $94.80 (£70.73) per barrel, while US-traded oil dropped more than 15% to $95.75 per barrel. Despite the retreat, prices remain significantly above pre-conflict levels; on 28 February,

Inflation expectations across the eurozone could accelerate more rapidly than in previous periods, and the European Central Bank must be prepared to respond decisively with interest rate increases if sustained price pressures begin to take hold, policymaker Dimitar Radev has cautioned. The surge in energy prices driven by the ongoing Iran war has already pushed inflation well beyond the ECB’s 2 percent target, prompting internal debate over whether tighter monetary policy is

Cyprus registered a further drop in unemployment in February 2026, even as joblessness across the euro area edged higher on a monthly basis, according to newly released data from Eurostat.   The figures showed that Cyprus’ unemployment rate fell to 4.20 per cent in February 2026, compared with 4.50 per cent in the same month a year earlier, highlighting continued strengthening in the country’s labour market. In absolute terms, the number of unemployed individuals declined to