24 November 2012

UKRAINE / IMF : Slump Continues While Waiting For Lagarde Loan.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-22/ukraine-s-options-dwindle-as-payment-time-nears-amid-imf-freeze.html

      Ukraine must pay $4.3 billion in foreign debt in early 2013.
      And...it doesn't look good for Kyiv.
      The IMF continues to balk at more loans...its economy is slumping...and Gazprom might fine it $2.7-5.7 billion over long disputed nat gas pricing.
     Bloomberg rates Ukraine's risk of default at #6 of 93 nations.
     The only bright spot is its corn crop.
     Normally bountiful wheat fell by a third in 2012...after a drought...and severe winter frost.
     Officials even considered a ban on wheat exports...to prevent domestic bread price rises.