Der deutsche Leitindex kam am letzten Handelstag nicht recht vom Fleck. Größere Ausschläge gab es dagegen bei Rüstungskonzernen und bei einem Autobauer.

The financial markets expect the ECB to cut interest rates significantly in the coming year. However Cyrus de la Rubia, Chief Economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank (HCOB), sees little room for easing. In an interview with Börsen-Zeitung, he says that inflationary pressure is likely to remain high in 2025.

The German Chemicals Industry Association hopes for an economic policy breakthrough following the early federal election on February 23. The VCI warns that the country cannot afford a "collective burnout."

In 2024, significantly more companies filed for insolvency than in the previous year, according to new data from the credit rating agency Creditreform. And this trend is expected to continue in 2025.

The EU-Mercosur free trade agreement would place a disproportionate burden on European sugar producers. Mercosur member Brazil is the world’s largest sugar producer.