Economic news on companies, work, consumer issues, markets and developments in Germany and Europe.
According to Handelsblatt, US stock exchanges rose on Thursday despite renewed attacks in the Middle East and new threats from US Donald Trump against Iran. The three leading indices were in positive territory, while oil prices fell.
The German government released around 600,000 tons of oil from the national reserve three months ago. According to the ARD capital studio, this amount has now been almost completely absorbed by the market.
US producer prices rose more than expected in May, increasing by 6.5 percent year-on-year, according to the Labor Department. Economists had forecast a 6.4 percent rise.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming Germany's labor market, putting university graduates at particular risk. The German Confederation of Skilled Trades (ZDH) has proposed a four-point plan to strengthen vocational careers.
The black-red coalition will not extend the fuel discount. The €1.6 billion measure expires at the end of June, as the Süddeutsche Zeitung learned from coalition sources.
Unions and employers are approaching the reform summit at the Chancellery with deep skepticism, according to Spiegel. The government hopes the social partners will support its planned reforms.
The retailer WH Smith has issued a profit warning due to decreased shopper numbers at US airports amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
US employers added 172,000 jobs in May, far exceeding economists' expectations, while the unemployment rate held steady, MarketWatch reports.
The DAX opened slightly lower on Thursday. Investors are focused on the US labor market report, which is crucial for the Federal Reserve's monetary policy.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has lowered its growth forecast for the global economy, citing the impact of the Iran war.
The DAX opened the trading week lower on Monday and fell below the psychologically important 25,000-point mark. According to Handelsblatt, oil prices are rising due to growing uncertainty surrounding the Iran war.
Australia's economy slowed sharply in early 2026, with real GDP growing just 0.3 percent in the first quarter, down from 0.9 percent in late 2025. Living standards are declining again, according to the Guardian.
Contradictory statements on the Iran negotiations are causing uncertainty in the markets, according to Handelsblatt. Meanwhile, analysts expect a rise in inflation in the eurozone.
Hungary's new Prime Minister Péter Magyar is keeping the special tax on foreign retailers, the Handelsblatt reports. The EU Commission sees a violation of EU law and has filed a lawsuit.
A government coalition expert group considers Germany's kerosene supply stable despite the economic impact of the Iran war, Deutschlandfunk reports.
The official exchange rate of the US dollar in Ukraine fell to 44.23 hryvnias on May 23, 2026, while the euro dropped to 51.30 hryvnias. The downward trend continues at exchange offices and banks, according to data from Minfin and Finance.ua reported by 24tv.
Kevin Warsh was sworn in as the new chair of the US Federal Reserve on Friday. The 56-year-old takes office amid growing political tensions over the central bank's independence.
The Bundestag approved the construction of a high-speed rail link between Dresden and Prague on Thursday evening. The project is expected to cut travel time from Berlin to Vienna to five hours, reports FAZ.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.