Germany

A fear is circulating that the missing billions from the public sector due to the budget freeze could jeopardize the construction of new chip factories, particularly those of Intel and TSMC, in Germany. However, this threatening backdrop is exaggerated.

Start-ups in Europe are significantly slowing down their workforce expansion this year. The hiring rate, especially for late-stage companies, has sharply declined compared to the previous year, as an analysis shows. For the majority, a short-term increase in staff is currently not a priority.

Acquisitions, spin-offs, and new players: The German landscape for M&A and corporate finance advisors is reorganizing itself.

When the Agricultural Bank extends financing to farmers, the commercial banks transmit to it highly varied non-financial indicators about the ultimate borrowers. CEO Nikola Steinbock is currently exploring with banking associations and industry representatives how to standardize this dataset.

Whether it's the rapid determination of gender in chicken eggs, early detection of swine cough, or automated bird observation in offshore wind farms, companies are harnessing the capabilities of artificial intelligence not only for human needs but increasingly for the protection of wildlife. Sometimes, they even receive multimillion-dollar investments for these endeavors.

Fiber optics as an asset class has lost some of its charm. Especially traditional government bonds entice with a significantly more attractive risk-return profile.

The downfall of René Benko illustrates how dangerous it is for entrepreneurs to refuse transparency and control. They harm themselves in the process.

Financial investors are hopeful for new inflows from retail investors' wallets amid a fundraising lull. Eltif funds with low minimum investment amounts are gathering capital.

Policymakers and network operators want to prevent a classic chicken-and-egg problem in the hydrogen ramp-up. Chances for success are not bad.

Instantaneously, the National-Bank from Essen has claimed the top position in pre-financing insolvency pay. In the interview with Boersen-Zeitung CEO Thomas Lange delves into the benefits of this business.

Since Brexit, the cities of Amsterdam and Paris have become home to major off-exchange platforms Turquoise, Aquis, and CBOE Europe. The liquidity concentrated there enhances the attractiveness of these locations in comparison to Frankfurt, especially for new issuers.

Restructurers are increasingly receiving distress calls from the startup scene as bankruptcy numbers rise significantly. When attempting a fresh start, the young companies often face entirely different challenges than larger firms.

Millionaires advocating for higher taxes on the wealthy do not have to wait for the legislature: the federal government's debt repayment account is ready to receive inflows.

Eckhard Forst, President of the Federal Association of Public Banks (VÖB) and CEO of NRW.Bank, calls for “clarity” regarding EU regulations set to apply to thousands of publicly traded companies in a few months. He criticizes the fact that the Sustainable Finance laws are not seamlessly integrated.

Germany aims to have 15 million electric cars and 1 million public charging points by 2030. These are the goals set by the current government. However, there is a lack of necessary momentum in expanding the charging network.

Warburg Pincus is currently in the process of raising capital for a new buyout fund. The targeted $16 billion is expected to be easily achieved. It provides additional 'dry powder' for the financial investor's two Germany heads, René Obermann and Max Fowinkel.

Rheinmetall has not concluded its acquisition endeavors with the purchase of ammunition manufacturer Expal. CFO Dagmar Steinert is keen on further consolidation in Europe while also navigating the challenge of financing the company's rapid growth.

Germany's business model is in crisis. Structural reforms are overdue, but political parties are blocking each other. A national Future Council for the Economy could be a way forward.

Germany does not need the new pact, chancelor Scholz is requesting. What is needed is the commitment of the government to sound state finances.

Automotive expert Ferdinand Dudenhöffer believes that Chinese automakers have become so strong that they will dominate this year's world's largest industry trade fair, the IAA Mobility. In his opinion the traditional German manufacturers need to learn from them.

Electrical and digital companies exported less to China in the first half of the year compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, exports to the US and the rest of Asia increased significantly. Andreas Gontermann, Chief Economist of the industry association ZVEI, acknowledges "a certain awareness" of geopolitical risks but doubts the effectiveness of trade restrictions.