German Parliament Passes Right to Repair for Electronics
The Bundestag has passed a right to repair for numerous electronic devices. Manufacturers must now repair their products during their usual lifespan at a reasonable price.
Category Economy
Economic news on companies, work, consumer issues, markets and developments in Germany and Europe.
Austria’s Debt Ratio Rises Despite Economic Growth
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.
Bayer wins Supreme Court victory in glyphosate dispute
The pharmaceutical and agrochemical giant Bayer has achieved a significant victory before the US Supreme Court. The justices ruled in favor of the company, stripping billions of dollars in damages claims of their legal basis.
US Inflation Rises to 4.2 Percent – Fed Under Pressure
Inflation in the US rose to 4.2 percent in May, according to the PCE index. This increases pressure on the Federal Reserve not to cut interest rates despite demands from President Trump.
ECB Director Schnabel Signals Further Rate Hikes
ECB Director Isabel Schnabel has signaled further interest rate hikes. Despite a possible easing of the Iran conflict, she sees no reason for a fundamental all-clear.
EU states approve tariff agreement with the US
The EU member states have given their final approval to a tariff agreement with the United States, clearing the way for the removal of European duties on US industrial goods and granting better market access for American seafood and agricultural products.
DAX Opens Lower Ahead of US Inflation Data, Micron Drives Asia
The DAX is expected to start trading weakly on Thursday, while strong quarterly results from US chipmaker Micron are driving Asian stock markets. Key US inflation data is prompting caution, according to Tagesschau.
Anthropic accuses Alibaba of unauthorized copying in AI training
The US AI company Anthropic has accused Chinese tech giant Alibaba of illegally using its AI models to train its own systems.
TUI: New bookings collapse due to Iran war – last-minute demand rises
New bookings at travel giant TUI have collapsed because of the Iran war. As the summer holidays begin in Germany's first states, the company is banking on spontaneous travelers.
EU to Issue More Free Emissions Certificates from 2027
The European Commission plans to increase the number of free emissions certificates for industry as early as 2027, as part of a reform of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS).
Alibaba Sues US Government Over Military List
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba has filed a lawsuit against the US government after the Pentagon placed it on a list of companies allegedly linked to the Chinese military. The company seeks to overturn the designation.
Capital Pension: Up to 393,000 Euros Extra Possible
Germany's planned capital-funded supplementary pension could provide workers with up to 393,000 euros in additional savings, according to calculations by Handelsblatt for different age groups.
Rheinmetall stock halves: share price crash after frigate deal falls through
Rheinmetall's share price has halved in nine months, dropping from over 2,000 euros to around 950 euros after the German defense ministry scrapped a major frigate project.
Farmers’ President Warns of End of Minijobs Due to Pension Reform
Joachim Rukwied, president of the German Farmers' Association, has criticized the pension commission's plans to abolish minijobs for most population groups as 'economic nonsense.' He warned of severe consequences for small and medium-sized enterprises at the German Farmers' Day in Freiburg.
Economist Walz: Capital-funded pension is unequivocally welcome
Financial and consumer protection expert Hartmut Walz says the idea of financing part of the statutory pension through capital funding is unequivocally welcome.
Ifo Business Climate Index Rises Slightly in June
The Ifo Business Climate Index improved slightly in June 2026, driven by peace signals in the Iran war, while concerns over the Strait of Hormuz persist.
Heating Subsidies: German Government Reform by 2029
The German government is working on a reform of heating subsidies. Budget funds are to be secured at least until 2029.
Cyberattack on Klue: Data of Salesforce Customers and Lastpass Users Stolen
A cyberattack on the company Klue has led to the theft of data from numerous Salesforce customers and Lastpass users.
Italo Plans to Enter German Rail Market
The Federal Network Agency is expected to decide in the coming days on Italian rail operator Italo's entry into the German rail network, according to Tagesschau. More competition could mean lower prices and better quality for train passengers.
Renewable Energy: Jobs, Policy Shift Threatens Positions
Employment in Germany's renewable energy sector hit a record high of around 436,000 in 2025. But the Bertelsmann Foundation warns that the government's planned energy policy shift could cost thousands of jobs.
Pension Plan: Civil Servants Spared, Self-Employed to Join Statutory System
Germany's pension commission has presented its reform proposal. According to "Welt," civil servants will keep their own pension system but will have to accept cuts in future pension increases, while the self-employed will be required to contribute to the statutory pension insurance.
Reform: Unions Criticize Abolition of Early Retirement
The German government's pension reform proposals have drawn mixed reactions from business and labor groups. While the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) praises the plans as long overdue, unions sharply criticize the planned elimination of the pension after 45 years of contributions.
Sweden’s System: A Model with a Stock Component for Germany
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.
DAX Falls Below 25,000 Points
The German benchmark index DAX dropped below the 25,000-point mark on Tuesday, following profit-taking at Asian stock exchanges.
RWE increases stake in Amprion for €3.6 billion
German energy group RWE is set to acquire a majority stake in transmission grid operator Amprion, investing around €3.6 billion. The funds will be raised through a capital increase.
VW Manager Obrowski to Become New CFO of Deutsche Bahn
Michael Obrowski, a longtime Volkswagen manager, is set to become the new finance chief of Deutsche Bahn. According to Handelsblatt, citing DB sources, the supervisory board will approve the appointment on Thursday.
Restaurant Association Slams Pension Plans for Mini-Jobbers as Catastrophe
The German Hotel and Restaurant Association (Dehoga) has criticized the pension commission's proposal to include mini-jobbers in the statutory pension scheme as a 'catastrophe' for the hospitality industry. The association sees it as a 'frontal attack on the flexibility of the labor market'.
US stock futures fall as Iran talks and inflation data loom
US stock futures fell on Monday as investors awaited progress in Iran nuclear talks and a key inflation reading later this week, CNBC reported.
Hochtief rises into DAX – Porsche SE slips to MDax
Essen-based construction group Hochtief has been officially listed in the DAX since Monday, replacing Porsche SE, which will now be traded in the MDax. Hochtief is benefiting primarily from the construction of data centers for artificial intelligence.
DAX Slightly Down at Start of Week, Nikkei Hits Record High
The DAX is expected to dip slightly on Monday, while Japan's Nikkei reaches new heights. According to Tagesschau, broker IG estimates the German benchmark index 0.1 percent lower at 24,967 points before the Xetra open.
China sanctions 56 US companies in trade dispute
China has imposed sanctions on 56 US companies in retaliation for Washington's export controls. The Commerce Ministry in Beijing said it placed ten firms linked to the US military on an export control list and took measures against 46 other companies.
Johanna Quandt: Family Announces Multi-Million Jubilee Fund
On what would have been her 100th birthday, the family of the late Johanna Quandt announced a ten-million-euro jubilee fund. The Herbert Quandt Media Prize was also awarded at the ceremony.
Apollo Plans $100 Billion for German Companies
US investment firm Apollo Global Management aims to invest up to $100 billion in German companies over the next decade. Scott Kleinman gives a first interim assessment in Handelsblatt.
DIW President Fratzscher: Pension Reform Proposals Fall Short
Marcel Fratzscher, president of the German Institute for Economic Research (Berlin), has criticized the pension commission's proposals released over the weekend as insufficient. He told the Rheinische Post that the recommendations are not enough to stabilize the statutory pension system.
Pension Commission Recommends Capital Funding for Statutory Pension
A German pension commission has proposed a fundamental overhaul of the statutory pension system, including the introduction of a mandatory capital-funded component, linking the retirement age to life expectancy, and phasing out the pension at 63 without deductions.
Steinmeier: Germany and Uzbekistan deepen economic ties
During a visit to Tashkent, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier emphasized the closer relations between Germany and Uzbekistan.
EU prepares tariffs on Chinese plug-in hybrids
The European Union is planning import duties on plug-in hybrids from China, according to a press report.
Mandatory Cancellation Button: Online Shops Must Improve
Online shops are now legally required to place a clearly visible cancellation button on their websites and apps. The aim is to make canceling contracts as easy as making a purchase with a single click.
Tashkent presents 120 proposals for economic reforms
Uzbekistan plans to create a binding reform roadmap based on 120 proposals from international investors. The recommendations emerged from the Tashkent International Investment Forum.
Italo Plans Entry into German Rail Market from 2028
Italian rail company Italo plans to enter Germany's long-distance market from 2028. The Railway and Transport Union EVG warns that at least 16 cities could lose their long-distance connections.