Daily monitor

According to a note from the Ministry of Finance, Ukraine’s direct external debt fell 0.8% MoM in February to USD 10.916 bln. At the same time, domestic direct debt grew 1.7% to UAH 45.620 bln (USD 5.925 bln).

According to the company’s own information, Luhanskteplovoz [LTPL UZ, N/R] increased output by 6.8% in March 2009.

As of the end of March, the Ukrainian car market recorded a 75% drop compared to the same period in 2008, according to UGMK.info.

In March 2009, the number of Internet users in Ukraine rose 9.4% MoM to reach 11.969 mln unique users, according to a report by the Bigmir-Internet Company, the Internet branch of the Ukrainian KP Media holding.

According to a note from the State Statistics Committee of Ukraine, CPI growth in March reached 5.9% YTD. The MoM figure was somewhat lowered to 1.4% in March, compared to 1.5% in February and 2.9% in January. The YoY inflation, therefore, reached 18.1% in March.

The Luhansk-based Stakhaniv Railcar Works [SVGZ UZ, U/R], one of the largest wagon producers in Ukraine and part of the AvtoKrAZ holding, held its shareholders meeting on April 6, at which time it was decided that the company would not pay out dividends for 2008.

According to a note from the National Bank of Ukraine, foreign reserves dropped 4.2% (USD 1.066 bln) MoM in March, thus reaching USD 24.392 bln. The YTD decrease, therefore, has reached 22.4% (USD 7.070 bln). The balance of Interbank interventions in March reached USD 1.077 bln.

The National Energy Regulating Commission has revised the investment program of Chernivtsioblenergo [CHEN UZ, BUY] and increased it by 5.9% to UAH 32 mln (USD 4 mln).

According to the website of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Ukreximbank, a 100% state-owned bank, is going to receive a subordinated loan for up to USD 250 mln from the EBRD for a term of up to ten years.

According to the AvtoKrAZ holding company [KRAZ UZ, N/R], which held its AGM in Kremenchug on Friday, the company decided to not pay out dividends. Instead, KRAZ will forward 95% of its recorded 2008 net profit of UAH 66.117 mln (USD 12.47 mln) towards the company’s development and the remaining 5% towards the company’s reserve fund.