Inflation in Cyprus eased to 2.1 per cent in March, down from 2.3 per cent in February, according to the latest flash estimate from Eurostat.

However, this marks a slight increase from the rate of 1.6 per cent recorded in March of the previous year,

The detailed breakdown of inflation components within the eurozone showed services experiencing the highest annual rate at 3.4 per cent, a decrease from 3.7 per cent in February.

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) has issued a warning to investors regarding multiple online platforms that are operating without the necessary authorisation to provide investment services or perform investment activities under Cypriot law.

In an announcement, CySEC identified several websites that do not belong to any entity granted an investment services licence under Article 5 of Law 87(I)/2017.

These platforms include weonmarket.com, nortenway.com, primuscfd.net, axiagroup.co, octamarketfx.com, apmetrade.com, investous.pro, varkuti.eu, efgbtrdpltfrm.com, profitwave.cc, marketsadvgroup.com, platform-oro.com, and chiron-group.limited, among others.

The Bank of Cyprus on Wednesday provided an update on its total voting rights, share capital, and the progress of its share buyback programme.

Specifically, the bank reported that 28 per cent of the buyback programme has already been executed.

According to the announcement, as of March 31, 2025, the company had repurchased 1,496,122 shares at a weighted average price of €5.69 per share, amounting to a total expenditure of €8,505,999.

The number of building permits issued in Cyprus during November 2024 fell by 28.1 per cent compared to the same month in 2023, according to a report released on Wednesday by the state statistical service.

According to the report, a total of 487 permits were granted, down from 677 in November 2023.

The total value of these permits reached €212.5 million, while the overall area covered amounted to 178,900 square metres.

The approved permits are expected to result in the construction of 993 residential units.

The retail trade sector in Cyprus exhibited strong growth in February 2025, according to a report released on Wednesday by the Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat).

Specifically, the turnover value index rose by 5.6 per cent while the turnover volume index increased by 4.7 per cent during this time, when compared to February 2024.

Breaking down the categories, cultural and recreation goods, which include books, stationery, sports equipment, and toys, saw the highest increase in February 2025 compared to February 2024.

The percentage of non-performing loans (NPLs) in Cyprus decreased to 6.2 per cent by the end of December 2024, down from 6.5 per cent at the end of September.

This is according to updated aggregate data for the Cypriot banking sector published by the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) on Wednesday.

Specifically, the CBC reported that the total value of NPLs fell from €1.59 billion in September to €1.54 billion in December.

The labour ministry’s inspection department announced on Wednesday that it will carry out a targeted inspection campaign targeting hotels, restaurants, and ready-to-eat food outlets in April and September 2025.

According to the statement, the goal of this initiative is to mitigate occupational accidents, diseases, and dangerous incidents by tackling their primary causes.

Cyprus’ cruise season began on Wednesday with the arrival of Marella Discovery II at the port of Limassol, according to an announcement by operator DP World Limassol.

This marks the country’s first ‘Fly and Cruise’ operation since the Covid-19 pandemic, something which the port operator described as a “reaffirmation of its place in the Eastern Mediterranean cruise market”.

Moreover, DP World Limassol’s dedicated cruise terminal will serve as the cruise liner’s home port for the entire 2025 season.

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides is leading a high-level delegation to the United States on Wednesday, aiming to attract investment in shipping, technology and energy. The visit includes stops in New York, Texas, and San Francisco.

The president is accompanied by key government officials, including Energy Minister George Papanastasiou, Deputy Shipping Minister Marina Hadjimanoli and Deputy Minister for Research Nicodemos Damianou. Business leaders from Cyprus will also join the mission.

The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) recorded a decline on Wednesday, with the general index standing at 234.29 points at 13:10, reflecting a decrease of 0.85 per cent.

The FTSE/CySE 20 Index also registered a loss, dropping by 0.78 per cent to 141.93 points.

Trading activity remained subdued, with the total value of transactions reaching €214,634.39.

Sector-wise, the main market dropped by 0.90 per cent, investment companies by 1.21 per cent, and the alternative market by 0.66 per cent, while the hotel sector showed no change.

Bank of Cyprus was the most actively traded stock, amounting to €148,523.38 in transactions, though its share price fell by 1.37 per cent.

Demetra Investment followed with a trading volume of €26,174.37, registering a decline of 1.23 per cent.

Atlantic Insurance remained stable with no price movement and a turnover of €12,000.00.

Logicom saw a marginal drop of 0.52 per cent on trades worth €11,020.00, while Cyprus Cement Company also held steady, trading at €8,385.00.

Overall, four stocks moved upwards, seven declined, and three remained unchanged, with the session concluding on just 91 trades.