English | Financial news with a German perspective

Reports, insights, analyses and opinions on Europe's biggest financial market.

E-prescription gives Shop Apotheke a growth boost

Higher, faster, further: Shop Apotheke is growing rapidly thanks to e-prescriptions. But growth comes at a price in the form of high marketing costs. CEO Olaf Heinrich explains the strategy to Börsen-Zeitung.

A conversation withOlaf Heinrich, Redcare Pharmacy

by Annette Becker

DeepL doubles valuation thanks to precision of its translations

Cologne-based start-up DeepL has to compete against US tech giants such as Google, Microsoft and OpenAI in the multi-billion euro translation market. Despite the superior financial strength of the competition, new investors made a big bet on the company in a May 2024 financing round.

Corporate Finance AwardsThe award winners (6) Digital

by Karolin Rothbart

Close on the heels of German banks

The latest figures from British neobank Revolut show strong growth in Germany. It is a bad sign for German fintechs and traditional banks that a foreign start-up can so easily grab market share in this country.

OpinionRevolut steps on the gas

by Carolin Kassella

Investors looking at SAP with rose tinted glasses

Although SAP has posted strong results for the first quarter, 2025 could still prove to be difficult. If its customers get hit by the trade wars, the outlook for SAP itself will be impacted at some point.

OpinionSoftware

by Nadine Klees

„The busiest trading day in Comdirect's history“

Customers looking to rebalance their portfolios in response to Trump’s tariff announcements gave Comdirect the busiest trading day in its history in early April. Sabine Schoon-Renné discusses the Comdirect strategy with Börsen-Zeitung.

A conversation withSabine Schoon-Renné, Commerzbank

by Tobias Fischer

Fraport shareholders still waiting for a dividend payout

Fraport CFO Matthias Zieschang doesn't rule out a dividend for the 2025 financial year – which would be the first since the pandemic. In an interview, he discusses infrastructure investment, including the new T3 in Frankfurt.

Interview withMatthias Zieschang

by Lisa Schmelzer

Germans don’t want to give up cash

While Germans are using cash less frequently, they are not ready to give it up. The Bundesbank says in its April Monthly Report that as long as people still wish to use cash, it should remain widely available and generally accepted.

Bundesbank Monthly Report

by Alexandra Baude

Not the right time for EU posturing

The European Commission has responded firmly yet appropriately to the violations of the US tech giants, with fines for Meta and Apple. The moderate action should help diffuse tension and facilitate trade negotiations.

OpinionFines for Meta and Apple

by Detlef Fechtner

Frequentis aims to benefit from rising military spending

With communication systems for aviation, military, and control centres, Austrian company Frequentis offers security-critical products. The entry barriers for competitors in these sensitive areas are high. CEO Norbert Haslacher is now looking to capitalize on increased investment in defence and infrastructure.

A conversation withNorbert Haslacher

by Sabine Reifenberger

Perseverance pays off for Adnoc

Following lengthy negotiations, Covestro shareholders ultimately accepted the takeover proposal from Adnoc. The give and take by Adnoc and the management of Covestro impressed the Corporate Finance Awards jury.

Corporate Finance AwardsLarge Caps

by Annette Becker

Water footprint as an indicator of sustainability

Although the carbon footprint is commonly used in sustainable investing, the water footprint still lingers in the shadows. But according to Walter Hatak of Erste Asset Management, water footprint scores have the potential to become an equally vital indicator.

Sustainable investmentWater usage in ESG scores

by Sabine Reifenberger

As time goes by

One long-standing bone of contention between the European Parliament and the Council is the abolition of daylight saving time. The Council is simply leaving the dossier untouched – much to the frustration of MEPs.

Noted inBrussels

by Detlef Fechtner

„How do we quantify the potentially catastrophic impact of AI-related risks?“

Ergo's Chief Underwriting Officer discusses global insurance strategy, market expansion in Europe and Asia, and the evolving risk paradigm, including cyber and climate risks.

InterviewEdward Ler

by Sebastian Schmid

CEO remuneration increases despite economic downturn

The weak economic situation is not reflected in remuneration paid to top management for 2024. Very few CEOs have had to tighten their belts – and the 10 million euro level is being exceeded more frequently.

by Sabine Wadewitz

Allianz, Siemens, and Munich Re are true dividend aristocrats

Investors in German stocks are looking forward to some generous dividends in the current season. Allianz, Munich Re, Siemens, and Deutsche Telekom are among those with high and usually stable payouts.

Dividend payout season

by Werner Rüppel

Financial investors focus on the digitalisation of hospitals

The digitalisation of German hospitals has been very slow due to a lack of funding. The need for new Hospital Information Systems is attracting the attention of private equity and venture capital investors.

Private Equity and Venture Capital

by Karolin Rothbart

„We have a high level of resilience to external shocks“

Alexander Reindler, the CEO of Leifheit, has ambitious goals. The household products manufacturer aims to grow by around 16% by 2030 – in a highly competitive market.

A conversation withAlexander Reindler, CEO Leifheit

by Martin Dunzendorfer

From CEO to career coaching

Careers in top management today usually require a degree and a flexible outlook. The generational handover that is underway can benefit from the experience of older managers.

EditorialGenerational change in the workforce

Germany prioritising AI development

The latest Stanford University AI Index Report shows Germany reasonably well positioned to move ahead with digitalisation. The new government in Berlin has an ambitious artificial intelligence strategy, and Trump's policies in the US are opening up new opportunities.

Stanford University AI Index Report

by Stephan Lorz

Why the crisis isn’t over yet

In May the major real estate companies will once again step into the spotlight with their quarterly figures. They are showing signs of stabilisation, but for many other players the outlook is less optimistic – and bankruptcies are on the rise.

AnalysisReal estate market

by Nadine Klees

Renk share price has soared since its second attempt at an IPO

Augsburg based defence industry firm Renk's first attempt at an IPO was cancelled at the last moment in October 2023. Four months later, Renk successfully debuted on the stock market – a move which CEO Alexander Sagel views as a catalyst for growth.

Corporate Finance Awards:The award winners (4) IPO

by Joachim Herr

Schaeffler faces more headwinds after takeover of Vitesco

With the takeover of drive technologies specialist Vitesco, automotive supplier Schaeffler took the right strategic step, but it will take time to pay off. Instead of the hoped-for synergies through growth, the group is cutting thousands of jobs.

Corporate Finance Awards:The award winners (3) M&A

by Stefan Kroneck

Three cheers for withdrawing from the stock market

April 16 marked the end of Metro's stock market history. The retail group is just the latest example of the delisting trend.

AnalysisThe delisting trend

by Annette Becker

High net worth investors focus on infrastructure

High net worth individuals are increasingly taking an interest in infrastructure, via new and more flexible fund structures which provide semi-liquid investment opportunities.

A conversation withDominik von Scheven, Hamilton Lane