English | Financial news with a German perspective

The German Federal Court of Auditors sees a significant liability risk for the federal budget due to the lack of oversight and control at the European Investment Bank (EIB).

There is currently a fierce debate over expanding the powers of the European Securities and Markets Authority. ESMA Chair Verena Ross is promoting a differentiated approach.

Europe's telecom companies are experiencing a surge of strategic investors. However, the ingredients they bring to the table are not always beneficial for the long-term health of the companies.

After Hauck Aufhäuser Lampe, ABN Amro has also set its sights on HSBC's German private banking business. The Dutch owners of Bethmann Bank apparently want to forge a new market leader.

European food and agricultural technology start-ups are booming. In 2023 the sector attracted more venture capital than in the USA for the first time.

Dirigisme and anti-capitalism lead to a political dead end, weaken the economy and jeopardise prosperity. The so-called Ampel (traffic light) coalition needs a different political approach and a fresh start.

2G Energy manufactures and operates combined heat and power plants. Now the business is being expanded to include heat pumps, CFO Friedrich Pehle explains the strategy.

The weak economic environment continues to take its toll. The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) has reported an increase in corporate insolvencies in the first quarter versus the same period last year.

Tobias Vogel is the new head of the Association of Foreign Banks in Germany (VAB). The CEO of UBS Europe takes over from Burkhard Kübel-Sorger, who is moving to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

As Germany changes its laws, cannabis growers are already preparing for home cultivation. And there were huge exhibitor and visitor numbers at the recent Mary Jane Cannabis Expo in Berlin.

The shareholders of Deutsche Pfandbriefbank have been through some tough times. The new Management Board will be setting out its new strategy later this year.

A digital euro would combine the convenience of digital payments with cash-like features. And it would give consumers an additional payment option that complements cash. Ultimately, it would be up to them to decide whether to use it.

Market participants complain that the EU taxonomy is too restrictive. For many green investments, it acts more like a brake than a catalyst.

The head of Novo Nordisk, Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, has led the Danish pharmaceutical company to become the most valuable listed company in Europe.

A supportive Finance Senator is encouraging the development of the Hamburg financial sector. But the short term focus is still on an expected takeover of Warburg Bank.

Dual tracks are no longer an empty threat in price negotiations. Sellers of businesses are currently switching flexibly between IPOs and trade sales.

The Stuttgart Stock Exchange launched Easy Euwax eighteen months ago, providing zero fee trading for securitised derivatives providers. Morgan Stanley has since emerged as one of the big issuers on the platform.

Bosch CEO Stefan Hartung remains optimistic about Germany as a business location, in spite of current challenges. And he views the United States as underrepresented in the Bosch portfolio.

Humanoid robots have recently been attracting a lot of interest from investors, thanks to advances in generative AI. Germany should strive to be at the forefront in this field, says David Reger of Neura Robotics.

The latest KfW Entrepreneurship Monitor shows that start-up activity increased slightly in 2023 – but is likely to trend downwards again this year due to the lack of an economic tailwind.

The CIO of LBBW Asset Management, Michael Hünseler, expects that the Fed will cut interest rates this year. And he anticipates greater volatility on stock markets.

The EU Commission has announced punitive tariffs on e-cars produced in China. A thoughtless move with negative side effects.