S&P affirms Hungary’s rating at BBB-

Regional Overview

Macro, FX & Rates: S&P affirms Hungary's rating at BBB-

(HU) Macro: As expected, On Friday the S&P rating agency affirmed Hungary's sovereign rating (BBB-) and left the outlook stale. The Agency is satisfied primarily with Hungary's strong external position represented by sizable current and capital account surpluses. The S&P also likes modest fiscal deficits and the fact that the Hungarian state's self-financing program initiated in 2014--has yielded a reduction in country's foreign currency-denominated debt to about one-quarter of total outstanding debt. The rating agency predicts that the general government debt, net of liquid assets, will reduce gradually to about 65% of GDP in 2020 from 70.7% in 2016. We think that such a fall in indebtedness is not unrealistic. It is worth noting that S&P's competitor – Moody's will update the rating of Hungary this Friday. Again, no change is expected.

Equities: CEZ to announce dividend proposal in April

(CZ) CEZ: The Company indicated to announce dividend proposal in April at latest, CEO Benes said. CEO Daniel Benes didn't comment on dividend amount in an interview with him last Thursday. Regarding latest comments of CEZ's CEO Benes and Ministry of Finance Babis, we expect CEZ is to increase its pay-out ratio to 60- 100% of adjusted net income (from 60-80%) and propose the dividend of 30-33 CZK per share. The question is whether MinFin Babis will be satisfied... Please note, state budget for 2017 counts with the same dividend income from CEZ as in 2016 (16bn CZK, i.e. 40 CZK/share), therefore, the Ministry of Finance (69.8% share in CEZ) might reject CEZ proposal at AGM and approve own proposal of a higher dividend. The AGM date has not yet been set, nevertheless it usually take place in June. CEZ is to release its 4Q/FY16 results on Mar-21, but the dividend proposal usually come later on.

Weekly preview: NBH meeting & regional earnings

(HU) Macro, Rates: The macro highlight of the week should be MPC meeting in Hungary on Tuesday. We expect the MNB to maintain the policy rate at the historical low of +0.90%. Please note, at its last meeting on Jan-24, the MNB kept the base rate and all the parameters of the rate corridor unchanged, and maintained its rhetoric that it stands ready to loosen monetary conditions further through the use of unconventional policy tools if needed.
(HU, PL) Equity: Quarterly earnings season will continue in Hungary and Poland this week. GPW (PL) is to release its 4Q16 results on Monday, Erste Bank (AT), MOL (HU), CCC (PL) on Tuesday, Transelectrica (RO) on Wednesday, OTP (HU), Bank Millennium (PL) or Asseco (PL) on Friday.

	LAST	PREVIOUS	CHANGE (%)
EURCZK	27.02	27.02	-0.01
EURHUF	308.2	308.2	-0.02
EURPLN	4.314	4.314	-0.02

	LAST	PREVIOUS	CHANGE (bps)
CZGB 10Y	0.576	0.573	0.3
HUGB 10Y	3.40	3.41	-0.1
PLGB 10Y	3.81	3.81	0.1

	LAST	PREVIOUS	CHANGE (%)
PX	960.4	960.1	0.04
BUX	33045	32886	0.48
WIG	58746	58657	0.15

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This non-exhaustive information is based on short-term forecasts for expected developments on the financial markets. KBC Bank cannot guarantee that these forecasts will materialize and cannot be held liable in any way for direct or consequential loss arising from any use of this document or its content. The document is not intended as personalized investment advice and does not constitute a recommendation to buy, sell or hold investments described herein. Although information has been obtained from and is based upon sources KBC believes to be reliable, KBC does not guarantee the accuracy of this information, which may be incomplete or condensed. All opinions and estimates constitute a KBC judgment as of the data of the report and are subject to change without notice.