Economic news on companies, work, consumer issues, markets and developments in Germany and Europe.
Austria's economy is slowly recovering, but the debt ratio continues to climb. Wifo and IHS expect GDP growth of 0.9 percent this year, while the deficit remains at four percent, well above the EU limit.
Germany's pension commission has presented its reform proposals, with the Swedish model serving as a blueprint. Sweden fundamentally overhauled its pension system 25 years ago and also relies on the stock market.
The Strait of Hormuz is set to reopen to shipping, but mines and other issues complicate the return to normalcy.
The Essen-based chemical company Evonik plans to eliminate around 3,200 jobs by the end of 2029, with 2,150 of those in Germany. The company cited weak economic growth and tougher competition as reasons.
EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen has urged member states to remain cautious after the Iran war deal. According to FAZ, Jørgensen said the energy crisis is not over yet.
Reports of Russia's economic weakness are mounting, but history shows this does not mean the war will end soon. Military ambitions often outpace economic capacity.
The number of people employed in German industry has fallen to its lowest level in a decade. According to a study by the Bertelsmann Foundation, vacant positions are increasingly left unfilled.
Ahead of the US Federal Reserve's interest rate decision, the DAX barely moved on Tuesday. According to Tagesschau, the benchmark index closed at 24,934 points, up a wafer-thin 0.1 percent.
The Neptun Werft in Rostock-Warnemünde, together with Siemens Energy, has landed a billion-euro order for an offshore converter platform. According to Handelsblatt, grid operator 50Hertz awarded the contract worth 2.5 billion euros.
The Neptun shipyard in Rostock has received a billion-dollar order to build offshore converter platforms. According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, grid operator 50Hertz awarded the contract to a consortium of Siemens Energy and Meyer subsidiary Neptun.
More than 100 founders and managers have issued an urgent appeal to the German government to revitalize the country as a business location. The call comes shortly before the planned reform package on pensions and the welfare state.
Kevin Warsh, the new chair of the US Federal Reserve appointed by Donald Trump, is about to make his first interest rate decision. Falling oil prices could give him some leeway, while inflation risks persist, as reported by Tagesschau.
Armored vehicle manufacturer KNDS plans to build two additional production sites in Germany, as announced by Germany CEO Florian Hohenwarter in an interview with the FAZ.
The DAX gained on Friday, supported by hopes for a diplomatic solution to the Iran conflict. According to Tagesschau, the index closed at 24,702.24 points.
Microsoft has unveiled the second generation of its Surface devices powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2. According to Heise, prices have risen significantly in some cases, while new colors expand the lineup.
Qualcomm has introduced the Snapdragon Reality Elite, a new chip for the next generation of VR and AR headsets. The company promises significant performance gains in AI, graphics, and energy efficiency.
According to Spiegel, diesel on Monday cost only seven cents more than before the Iran war, and E10 was nine cents above. The fuel discount of 16.7 cents per liter expires at the end of the month and will not be extended.
The number of social housing units in Germany continued to decline in 2025. According to the federal government, despite subsidies for new construction, a net total of around 20,000 units were lost, with North Rhine-Westphalia particularly hard hit.
The shortage of skilled workers in Germany has more than halved since 2022. According to KfW bank, however, the reason is not a larger supply of labor but the weak economy.
Fox Corporation announced on Monday its plan to buy streaming hardware maker Roku for $22 billion, aiming to expand its media reach.
Users of Germany's rail infrastructure cover only ten percent of the costs. This situation has led to a deadlocked debate over financing and track access charges.
In July, the EU Commission plans to decide on increasing CO₂ emission costs for industry. According to FAZ, the plan is driving a wedge through the German economy.
In the takeover battle for Commerzbank, Italian banking giant Unicredit is escalating the conflict: it is openly threatening to replace the supervisory board and the management board of the German institute, Handelsblatt reports.
Despite an inflation rate of over three percent in May, the Bank of England (BoE) is not expected to raise its key interest rate. According to the FAZ, Governor Andrew Bailey is hesitating because of the energy price shock.
The German Railway and Transport Union (EVG) warns that 16 cities could lose their ICE and IC connections if Italy's Italo enters the German market in 2028. This is according to a union analysis obtained by Bild am Sonntag.
More than 90 rail projects could stall due to insufficient federal funds, according to a government response to a Green Party inquiry. The Allianz pro Schiene alliance calls for adjustments in the 2027 budget.
The retirement of the baby boomer generation will hit the German labor market harder than previously assumed, according to a study by the German Economic Institute (IW). By 2036, more than four million workers will be missing.
The UK competition authority CMA is investigating whether Ryanair charges parents extra to sit next to their children. German consumer advocates call the fee an 'absolute outrage' and demand a rethink.
By 2036, Germany could be short around 4.3 million workers, warns the German Economic Institute (IW) in a new analysis. The reasons are weaker population growth and the aging baby boomer generation.
The European Commission plans to gradually reduce imports of Alaska pollock from Russia, which could drive up prices for fish sticks and gourmet fillets in Germany.
SpaceX shares opened nearly 30 percent higher on the Nasdaq on Friday – the largest IPO in history. According to Zeit, the stock was indicated at more than $174.
The number of corporate and consumer insolvencies in Germany increased in the first quarter of 2026, according to the Federal Statistical Office.
A landlord in Saarbrücken has failed in court with a rent increase of nearly 20 percent. The Saarbrücken District Court declared the demand invalid, as reported by the FAZ.
The US and Central Asian states want to boost investments in critical minerals. According to Euronews, a Trump envoy delivered the message to Kazakhstan's President Tokayev.
Germany's inflation rate fell to 2.6 percent in May, driven by a temporary fuel tax cut, the Federal Statistical Office reported. But the relief at the pump ends in late June.
The extension of Frankfurt's U5 subway line into the Europaviertel district is expected to cost 72 million euros more than previously budgeted, according to the city's light rail development company.
US Donald Trump has called off the planned attack on Iran, boosting stock markets. The DAX is expected to open significantly higher today.
The logistics group DHL targets an annual revenue of three billion euros from renewable energy logistics by 2030 – a fivefold increase from current levels. The company announced this at its own conference, as reported by FAZ.
The European Central Bank (ECB) has raised its deposit rate by 0.25 percentage points to 2.25 percent. ECB Christine Lagarde said the rate step is robust in three scenarios, as reported by Euronews.
According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, the world continues to rely on natural gas despite the Iran war – and Siemens Energy supplies the technology. The company is benefiting enormously, but must transport its turbines through the Saudi desert.