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Cyprus Records €552.9 Million Fiscal Surplus In First Five Months

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 30, 2026

Cyprus recorded a general government fiscal surplus of €552.9 million during the first five months of 2026, according to preliminary figures released by the Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat). Higher tax revenue and stronger social contributions helped offset continued growth in public spending.

Revenue Growth Outpaced Spending

The surplus for the January-to-May period amounted to 1.4% of gross domestic product, compared with €544.5 million, or 1.5% of GDP, in the corresponding period of 2025.

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Total government revenue increased by €282.5 million, or 4.8%, reaching €6.2 billion from €5.92 billion a year earlier.

Income Tax, VAT And Contributions Drive Gains

Taxes on income and wealth recorded the largest increase, rising by €115.2 million, or 8.4%, to €1.49 billion. Social contributions also posted solid growth, climbing by €102.2 million, or 5.2%, to €2.07 billion.

Revenue from taxes on production and imports rose by €93.1 million, or 4.9%, to €2.00 billion. Within that category, net VAT receipts increased by €138 million, or 11.0%, to €1.39 billion.

Additional support came from capital transfers, which rose to €38.8 million from €12.4 million, and from the sale of goods and services, which increased by €9.4 million to €433.2 million.

Those gains were partly offset by lower property income, which declined by €24.2 million to €68.5 million, and a €39.6 million fall in current transfers to €115.7 million.

Expenditure Continues To Expand

Government expenditure rose by €274.1 million, or 5.1%, to €5.65 billion, compared with €5.38 billion in the same period of 2025.

Intermediate consumption increased by €52 million to €590.3 million, while compensation of employees, including imputed social contributions and civil servants’ pensions, rose by €47.6 million to €1.64 billion.

Social benefits recorded the largest increase in absolute terms, climbing by €108.2 million, or 4.9%, to €2.31 billion. Interest payments also rose significantly, increasing by €32.3 million, or 15.7%, to €238.4 million.

Current transfers climbed by €70.5 million, or 19.6%, reaching €429.3 million.

Capital Spending Softens

Capital expenditure moved in the opposite direction, falling by €26.8 million, or 6.0%, to €418.7 million. Gross capital formation declined by €25.4 million to €327.7 million, while other capital expenditure edged down to €90.9 million. Subsidies also decreased, dropping by €9.6 million to €31.8 million.

Preliminary Data Carry Caveats

Cystat noted that the figures remain preliminary, with estimates used for several general government entities, particularly within the local government subsector, as complete data had not yet been submitted by the relevant authorities.

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Shein Targets $25 Billion Valuation In Hong Kong IPO As Growth Slows

by News Editor

August 17, 2026

Shein is reportedly targeting a valuation of around $25 billion in its planned Hong Kong IPO, a sharp decline from the nearly $100 billion valuation the online fashion retailer achieved in a 2022 fundraising round.

Two people familiar with the plans said the company was likely to target about $25 billion, while another source put the expected range at $25 billion to $28 billion based on the proposed price band.

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IPO Valuation Falls Sharply

Shein plans to sell up to 8% of its shares in the offering, according to a person familiar with the plans. At a $25 billion valuation, that would translate into an IPO of as much as $2 billion.

The latest target is also below the $30 billion to $40 billion valuation the company was seeking earlier this month as it began meeting with potential investors.

Founded in China in 2012 and now headquartered in Singapore, Shein sells low-cost clothing to consumers in about 160 countries. The company is expected to launch its long-awaited Hong Kong IPO later this week.

Trade Restrictions Weigh On Growth

Shein’s valuation has come under pressure as major markets tighten rules affecting low-cost e-commerce shipments. The European Union, for example, has moved to impose additional fees on cheap parcels from platforms such as Shein and Temu. EU Tightens Rules On Low-Cost E-Commerce Parcels

In the U.S., the removal of an import duty exemption for small packages has also affected the company. Shein reported a $99 million quarterly loss in the first quarter of 2026 as sales growth slowed, while a one-time accounting charge further weighed on its results. Shein Reports First-Quarter Loss Ahead Of IPO

Investors Question Shein’s Growth Prospects

The steep reduction in valuation reflects growing concerns over slower growth, higher trade costs, regulatory pressure and stronger competition across global e-commerce.

Some investors who reviewed Shein’s recent financial statements or attended IPO presentations told Reuters they were skeptical that the company could return to the growth rates that supported its $98.2 billion valuation in 2022. Shein’s Slowing Growth Tests Investor Appetite

A lower IPO valuation could also affect Shein’s existing investors. Under the terms of its IPO filing, the company may have to issue additional shares to certain pre-IPO investors if its valuation falls below agreed thresholds.