SERBIA:

NBS: Serbian GDP grew 4.5% in 1Q 2018
According to the data of the Serbian Statistical Office, y-o-y real growth in GDP equaled 4.5% in Q1. According to NBS estimate, it was led primarily by the vigorous growth in investment. In Q1, industrial production recorded y-o-y growth of 5.9%. Y-o-y growth was recorded for all sectors: electricity, gas and steam supply – 10.9%, mining – 2.0%, and manufacturing – 5.0%. Within manufacturing, y-o-y growth in production was recorded for three quarters of branches. Euro-denominated commodity exports and imports rose by 8.7% and 12.3% y-o-y, respectively. The structure of imports, dominated by the procurement of equipment and intermediate goods for industrial purposes also confirms that investment is the key driver of growth in the quarter observed.
Source: NBS

Fiscal Council: Serbia to have fiscal surplus first time since 2005
For the first time since 2005, a fiscal surplus will be achieved and public debt will be in a sharp decline again after ten years, Fiscal Council saysd. Speaking at a traditional meeting with members of the Serbian Association of Managers on Friday, Fiscal Council representatives noted that "foundations for sustainable and healthy public finances and acceleration of economic growth can be set in 2018 as the most significant quantitative objectives of fiscal consolidation were achieved in 2017."
Source: b92

Belgrade-Sarajevo highway financing to be topic in Istanbul
Rasim Ljajic says he will discuss "conditions for financing the Belgrade-Sarajevo highway" during his visit to Turkey. This is the most important infrastructure project to be discussed and the method and terms of financing have not yet been agreed, the minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications has told B92. Ljajic said that Serbia is "fighting to achieve a lower interest rate on the loan for the highway.
Source: b92

REGION:

LJSE closed yesterday due to 1st May holiday

INO:

Dow closes more than 150 points lower, but Apple rises 4%, European stocks close higher amid earnings, Apple suppliers rise
Stocks closed lower on Wednesday after Federal Reserve's latest monetary policy announcement hinted at higher inflation ahead. The Dow Jones industrial average declined 174 points, while the S&P 500 fell 0.7 percent. The Nasdaq composite also dropped 0.4 percent. The major indexes initially popped after the the central bank made its announcement, but sold off sharply in the last hour of trading. The Fed kept interest rates unchanged, as was largely expected.
In corporate news, Apple rose 4.4 percent after reporting better-than-expected quarterly earnings and revenue that surpassed market expectations. Wall Street was eagerly awaiting for Apple's quarterly figures as the company is seen as a bellwether for the technology sector.
Earnings season continued Wednesday with CVS Health and Estee Lauder among the companies that reported earnings that beat analyst expectations. Garmin and Clorox also posted stronger-than-forecast results.
European stocks closed higher on Wednesday as investors kept their focus on earnings and monitored an upcoming Federal Reserve meeting. The pan-European Stoxx 600 closed provisionally more than 0.6 percent higher with most sectors trading in positive territory. Basic resources were the top-performing sector, up by almost 2.8 percent, on earnings. Tech stocks were among the top performers.
Shares of chipmakers Austria Microsystems and STMicroelectronics rallied after Apple reported strong second-quarter earnings. Looking across the benchmark, Inmarsat rose more than 8 percent as demand for Wi-Fi on flights aided its first-quarter results.
Novo Nordisk saw its shares up by more than 4 percent on earnings. The drugmaker beat expectations in its first quarter.
Source: CNBC, Ilirika