English | Financial news with a German perspective
Reports, insights, analyses and opinions on Europe's biggest financial market.

Rheinmetall partner Iceye secures fresh funding
Europe is investing heavily in defence – with space systems a big area of focus. Finnish satellite startup Iceye has recently completed a new funding round to speed up growth.Show moreDefence satellites

TKMS looking at acquisitions
The order books are filling up at naval yards, and consolidation is expected as the major players look for acquisitions. Thyssenkrupp spin-off TKMS will make a decision soon on an offer for German Naval Yards in Kiel.Show moreNaval shipbuilding

Federal government seeks greater control over Tennet
The federal government is planning to acquire a stake in Tennet Germany, in order to strengthen its control over the transmission grid. The purchase will initially involve existing shares held by the Dutch parent company.Show morePower grid operator

Jan-Oliver Sell appointed CEO of Qivalis
Qivalis, the European banking consortium behind a planned euro stablecoin, has launched operations under CEO Jan‑Oliver Sell. It aims to offer cross-border payments, DeFi applications and asset settlement from mid-2026.Show moreEuro stablecoin

From early start pension to false start pension
The pension reform package has been passed by the German Parliament. But the debate about retirement provision in Germany continues – and the so called early start pension has been scaled back because of budgetary constraints.Show more"Future Capital 2026” Conference

Real estate ELTIFs remain a niche product
Real estate European Long Term Investment Funds are still struggling to gain traction. Even though more ELTIFs than ever were launched in 2025, only a few focus on property. The podcast „Beyond Billions“ spoke about the latest trends with Hansainvest Managing Director Ludger Wibbeke.Show morePodcastReal estate funds

Busy 2026 ahead for European payment system Wero
European Payments Initiative CEO Martina Weimert has been making good progress with the Wero payment system. But the real test of success will come at the checkout counter in mid-2026.Show morePersonalitiesMartina Weimert, European Payments Initiative

Setbacks continue for Stockholm based EQT
Difficulties are mounting for private equity firm EQT with its over-indebted portfolio companies: Deutsche Glasfaser may soon default on interest payments. In the case of French nursing home operator Colisée, creditors are now taking over the reins.Show morePrivate equity

CEO Daniel Grieder sees reduced revenues and earnings in 2026 transition year
Hugo Boss's medium term growth strategy has failed to impress investors, especially since 2026 is viewed as a transition year with lower earnings. A takeover bid from Frasers Group of the UK remains a possibility.Show moreHugo Boss

Covestro aims to „continue producing in Europe in a very significant way“
At closing of the takeover, Covestro stands to receive a multi-billion-euro capital increase. For chief financial officer Christian Baier, this is a key factor in ensuring that the company can keep investing in its future despite the industry downturn.Show moreAn interview withChristian Baier, Covestro

Hazardous waste treatment a growing business segment
Multi-billion dollar acquisitions are reshaping the global hazardous waste business. Veolia is making a big move in the United States with its takeover of Clean Earth.Show moreAnalysis Waste treatment M&A

Almost as if it were Christmas
Pharmaceutical and agrochemical company Bayer may be at a turning point in connection with the multi billion dollar glyphosate lawsuits. A case review is now proceeding to the US Supreme Court.Show moreOpinionBayer glyphosate lawsuits

Dax giants welcome longer Xetra trading hours
Dax heavyweights such as SAP and Deutsche Telekom have welcomed the extension of Xetra trading for retail investors until 10pm. The new trading hours began on 1 December.Show moreExtension of trading hours

BayWa making progress
The board of BayWa expects its core business to return to growth in the near term. The debt reduction programme has slowed after the sale of Cefetra failed to close, but negotiations are underway with new investors. Show moreCorporate restructuring

European universities strong in spinouts
Europe's universities and research institutes are particularly strong in biotech and pharmaceutical startups. A report from Dealroom shows that since 2022 there have been 244 academic spinouts in these sectors.Show moreBiotech & Pharma

SAP and the challenge of digital sovereignty
SAP has announced various new partnerships to strengthen digital sovereignty in Europe. Yet despite these collaborations, the Delos Cloud continues to rely on Microsoft technology.Show moreDelos Cloud

Leonardo targets European market with new air defence system
Italian defence group Leonardo has announced plans to develop an AI-based air defence system dubbed the Michelangelo Dome. The target date for the system to become operational is 2028.Show more"Michelangelo Dome"

Deutsche Börse brings Allunity on board for stablecoins
Deutsche Börse is integrating the euro stablecoin EURAU from Allunity into its infrastructure. The partnership aligns with the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) Regulation, providing a secure and regulated framework within established financial market infrastructure.Show moreDigital financial markets

Cost cutting at Contitech ahead of planned sale in 2026
Continental is cutting costs at Contitech, which supplies industrial customers with rubber and thermoplastic products, ahead of a planned sale. Contitech is expected to attract strong interest from private equity buyers.Show moreContinental

Crédit Agricole sharpens its focus on Germany
France’s second-largest bank Crédit Agricole has ambitious plans to expand across Europe - and is increasing its focus on the German market.Show moreNew strategic plan

Economists sceptical about ECB plans
In a survey conducted by Börsen-Zeitung, economists have voiced heavy criticism of the European Central Bank's plans for a digital euro. Most suggest that the benefits to consumers will be minimal.Show moreDigital euro

Deutsche Börse targets Allfunds in strategic move
Deutsche Börse is in exclusive takeover talks with UK-based Allfunds Group, which operates an ecosystem for fund distribution networks. The cash and shares bid values Allfunds at around 5.3 billion euros.Show moreFund distribution platforms

On the brink of a crisis?
Direct and indirect attacks on central banks, soaring government debt, the rise of crypto assets, and AI-driven speculation are putting the monetary order at risk – and conjuring up the prospect of a global crisis.Show moreEditorialMonetary system

„The stable overall interest rate sends a strong message“
The Allianz life insurance will charge its customers an unchanged interest rate in the coming year. „The stable overall interest rate sends a strong message,“ said Volker Priebe, who is responsible for private customers and products on the Allianz Leben Executive Board. It will be 3.8% for the third year in a row.Show moreA conversation withAllianz Life Executive Board Member Volker Priebe