Economic news on companies, work, consumer issues, markets and developments in Germany and Europe.
Economist Ulrike Malmendier criticizes tax giveaways like the fuel discount and explains how the government could provide more effective relief. At the same time, she warns of a further deterioration in the economic situation.
Werner Gatzer, chairman of the supervisory board of Deutsche Bahn, plans to step down in 2027. Lufthansa CEO Christoph Franz is set to succeed him, according to Handelsblatt.
The Federation of German Consumer Organisations (VZBV) is calling for a legal right to flat-rate compensation when smart meters fail to work after installation. Users could thus avoid financial disadvantages with dynamic electricity tariffs.
The Italian high-speed operator Italo, co-founded by former Ferrari CEO Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, plans to enter the German market. At the same time, Flixtrain announces a significant expansion of its services. A three-way battle on the rails is emerging, reports Spiegel.
The state of Hessen and the Technical University of Darmstadt are establishing a drone competence center at Kassel Airport in Calden. The opening is planned for 2026, as the Digital Ministry announced.
The new Postbank Housing Atlas shows how purchase prices for existing apartments will develop in all 400 German districts and cities by 2035. The study by the Hamburg Institute of International Economics (HWWI) is available to Handelsblatt in advance.
Jarek Kutylowski, CEO of Cologne-based AI startup DeepL, has been named 'Founder of the Year' at the German Startup Awards – even though the company cut around 250 jobs earlier this month.
Health insurers and the pharmaceutical industry are locked in a dispute over the pricing of biosimilars, the copycat versions of biotech drugs. At stake are billions of euros and the question of how resilient Germany's drug supply is in a crisis, the Süddeutsche Zeitung reports.
Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) praised the service of Deutsche Bahn compared to Japan's Shinkansen trains. A FAZ author who lived in Japan for over ten years strongly disagrees and shows where the railway really lags behind.
German companies are facing growing geopolitical risks, according to a new study by the German Economic Institute (IW Cologne). Trump tariffs and the Iran war are cited as external factors, but domestic problems are also weighing on firms.
Samsung, the world's largest memory chip maker, and its union reached a tentative agreement just one hour before a planned walkout, averting a strike that could have disrupted global supply chains.
Falling oil prices gave the German stock market a boost in the afternoon, as reported by Tagesschau. At the same time, rising bond yields continue to unsettle investors.
The German chemical industry is currently benefiting from panic buying due to the Iran war, but Evonik CEO Christian Kullmann warned at the Handelsblatt annual conference in Berlin that Chinese imports will soon return with full force.
Ukrainian state-owned companies Naftogaz and Ukrzaliznytsia are making scheduled loan repayments to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), according to EBRD Odile Renaud-Basso in an interview with the Kyiv Post.
More than £52 million in public funds for social housing are at risk after two investment firms of the Heylo Housing Group went into administration. As the Guardian exclusively reports, 3,500 social homes could switch to the private sector.
The EU has imposed sanctions on Chinese chipmaker Yangzhou Yangjie Electronic Technology (Yangjie), as Handelsblatt reports. This further complicates chip supply for Germany's auto industry.
Anthony Klotz, an expert on resignations, explains that many people would continue working even after winning the lottery. Resignations often stem from sudden events that shake the relationship with the job.
Stock futures remain stable as markets await upcoming earnings reports from Nvidia and retailers.
The shipping companies Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM have suspended all bookings to and from Cuba due to new US sanctions imposed on May 1.
Mobile phone prices in Europe vary significantly in 2026, with Poland offering the lowest rates between 5 and 9 euros.
The German government faces pressure to implement bold reforms to tackle economic challenges. According to Handelsblatt, a reform package with five key points could strengthen Germany's economic position.
The United States has decided to let the exception from sanctions on Russian oil expire amid rising energy prices influenced by the Iran war.
Wall Street begins testing Kevin Warsh ahead of his official start as head of the Federal Reserve, with U.S. bond yields rising sharply.
Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder is increasingly under fire as passenger representatives and public transport companies express dissatisfaction.
The Berlin Classic Days attract thousands of classic car enthusiasts to Kurfürstendamm, showcasing historic vehicles. Despite the climate crisis and rising fuel prices, the passion for classic cars remains unbroken, as reported by Zeit.
On Monday, Greek Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis arrives in Berlin to discuss Greece's economic successes. According to Handelsblatt, the gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 2.1 percent last year.
Under the leadership of Evelyn Palla, Deutsche Bahn aims to achieve profitability after years of losses.
Harvard economist Stefanie Stantcheva reveals that an increasing number of people view societal issues as a distribution battle, particularly among younger generations, influencing political discourse.
The U.S. government has launched an initiative to develop small modular reactors for commercial shipping, responding to pressure to reduce CO₂ emissions.
A looming strike at Samsung Electronics could exacerbate global semiconductor supply shortages and cost billions.
Inflation in Germany is approaching the three percent mark, prompting changes in consumer shopping habits. Many are cutting back on restaurant visits and mobility, according to Tagesschau.
Katherina Reiche, CEO of Westenergie AG, visited the PCK refinery in Schwedt, which produces e-kerosene. In an interview, she reflects on her childhood in the GDR and the current political situation in Germany.
Archion, the new truck manufacturer, plans to increase its profit margin to over ten percent and is focusing on strong growth.
The German economy shows a mixed picture under Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) with low growth and rising prices. Despite unexpected growth in the first quarter of 2026, the outlook for the rest of the year is bleak.
Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig aims to tackle inflated prices on the secondary ticket market following an open letter from artists and event companies.
The tank manufacturer KNDS aims to advance its IPO independently of the federal government.
A report reveals that consumers are silently accepting high food prices while drivers protest against gasoline costs. This discrepancy raises questions about societal reactions to price hikes.
The German government has lowered its growth forecast for 2026 to 0.5 percent due to rising energy prices stemming from the Middle East conflict.
The energy transition poses challenges for businesses when self-generated electricity cannot be utilized.
Uniper has begun a test run to renovate the Loisach-Isar Canal to prevent water leaks using bentonite.