German economic performance

Volkswagen Plans Pay Freeze Through 2030 Amid Job Cuts

Volkswagen announced a plan to freeze employee salaries through the end of 2030 as part of an escalated cost-cutting strategy following a reduction in the company's financial outlook. According to internal documents cited by Süddeutsche Zeitung, the executive board’s restructuring plan requires all regions and plants to contribute to the company's turnaround efforts. This move occurred alongside a decision to double the company's job-reduction target to 100,000 positions, which also includes the recommendation of 4,100 additional job cuts at Porsche. These measures were implemented as the European Union introduced a cap on Chinese hybrid vehicle imports, limiting them to 350,000 vehicles per year starting in December.

NORMA Group Announces Financial Growth Targets Through 2031

NORMA Group announced financial targets projecting an average annual currency-adjusted net sales growth of 1 to 3% through 2031. The company stated that it expected growth momentum to increasingly originate from its Industry Applications business unit, with contributions from its Mobility & New Energy segment.

German industry has lost nearly half a million jobs since 2019, Ifo says

The Ifo Institute reported that German industry lost nearly half a million jobs since 2019. This decline impacted the industrial sector within Germany.

DAX index faces resistance at 200-day moving average and Fibonacci levels

The DAX index encountered resistance at its 200-day moving average. It also faced resistance at Fibonacci levels.

Vonovia shares decline during trading session

Shares of the company Vonovia experienced a decline during a trading session in Germany. This movement affected the company's standing on the market.

economic18 Oct 2026

Deutsche Telekom AG releases capital market information

Between October 12 and October 16, 2026, Deutsche Telekom AG purchased 6,707,740 shares on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Xetra) as part of an ongoing share buy-back program initiated on August 10, 2026. The daily weighted average prices for these shares ranged from €24.7745 to €25.9449, resulting in a total purchase price of approximately €164.3 million for the five-day period. This transaction, disclosed in a regulatory filing, brought the total number of shares acquired under the program to 31,999,289.

economic17 Oct 2026

EU Commission Introduces Corporate Levy Following Opposition to Digital Tax

The European Commission abandoned its plan to implement a digital tax on large technology firms, such as Google, Amazon, and X, following pressure from the United States government. In place of the digital levy, the Commission proposed a new annual flat-rate charge for companies operating in the EU with net revenues exceeding €100 million. Depending on the specific revenue class, these companies would be required to pay between €100,000 and €750,000 annually. This policy change occurs as the Commission seeks new revenue streams to finance its budget and manage the upcoming refinancing of the €800 billion NextGenerationEU Eurobond starting in 2028.

political17 Oct 2026

German minister seeks debt brake exemption to maintain Ukraine aid

A German minister requested an exemption to the country's debt brake. The request aimed to ensure the continued provision of aid to Ukraine.

economic17 Oct 2026

DHL Group Raises 2026 Earnings Outlook Following Third Quarter Results

DHL Group, officially renamed DHL AG, increased its 2026 EBIT earnings outlook following its third quarter financial results. This adjustment was attributed to ongoing earnings momentum within the Express division and projections of a strong fourth-quarter seasonal performance.

Rheinmetall acquires stake in Rock Tech Lithium and German plant

Rheinmetall acquired a stake in Rock Tech Lithium. The agreement also involved the development of a German plant.

DAX index rises amid tech gains and lower oil prices

The German DAX index rose for the third consecutive session. Market sentiment improved as concerns regarding interest rates and artificial intelligence spending subsided, aided further by lower oil prices.

Germany plans tobacco tax increase by 2030

The German Bundestag voted to implement a phased tobacco tax increase that will raise the price of an average pack of 20 cigarettes from approximately €8.05 to €11.36 by 2030, with some premium brands expected to reach €14. The policy aims to generate an additional €12 billion in tax revenue over four years while simultaneously acting as a public health measure to deter nicotine consumption. The legislation, which also increases taxes on e-cigarette liquids, faced opposition from the AfD and Die Linke, while the Greens argued the hikes were insufficient and some industry representatives warned of potential black market growth.

Nordex Reports Third-Quarter Results Above Market Estimates and Raises Outlook

German wind turbine manufacturer Nordex Group reported preliminary third-quarter results that exceeded market estimates. The firm attributed the year-over-year growth in revenues and EBITDA to improved service profitability and consequently raised its outlook.

Volkswagen recalls electric vehicle models in Germany over battery fire risk

Volkswagen initiated a recall in Germany for several thousand electric vehicles following reports of defective battery cells that pose a fire risk due to increased thermal stress. This action followed similar recall campaigns already in progress in the United States, where approximately 22,000 ID.4 units were identified, and in the United Kingdom. Volkswagen attributed the defect to production faults at suppliers affecting models produced between 2023 and 2025, including the ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID Buzz, and Cupra Born. The company directed affected owners to limit battery charging to 80% as a precautionary measure while they coordinate with authorities to inspect and potentially repair the vehicles through software upgrades or hardware checks.

economic15 Oct 2026

Italy’s UniCredit wins ECB approval to control Germany’s Commerzbank

UniCredit received approval from the European Central Bank to acquire control over Commerzbank. This authorization allowed the Italian bank to move toward potentially holding a majority stake in the German financial institution.

political15 Oct 2026

German Cabinet Approves Draft Legislation for Sugary Drink Tax

On 15 October 2026, the German cabinet approved draft legislation to implement a tax on sugary drinks starting 1 July 2027, provided it passes the Bundestag. The policy targets beverages containing 5g or more of sugar per 100ml with levies ranging from €0.26 to €0.32 per litre, while exempting milk, certain plant-based drinks, pure juices, and sugar-free alternatives. The government introduced this measure to incentivize industry reformulation and generate estimated revenues of €690 million in 2027 and €925 million in 2028 to offset health fund subsidies and address systemic healthcare costs exceeding €2 billion annually.

economic15 Oct 2026

Dräger Reports Third Quarter EBIT Decline and Confirms Full-Year Forecast

Dräger reported that its earnings before interest and taxes declined to approximately 48 million euros in the third quarter of 2026, down from 56.7 million euros in the prior year. During the same period, the company's net sales increased by 1.0 percent to approximately 851 million euros.

Germany to implement new gas levy to fund energy reserve

The German Economy Ministry drafted legislation to establish a €3.08 billion emergency gas reserve, intended to hold 24 TWh of gas to protect against infrastructure failures or supply disruptions over the next decade. To fund this reserve, the ministry proposed a levy on households and industrial consumers starting in October 2027, despite prior objections from coalition lawmakers and industry associations regarding high energy costs. Germany faces this decision as the country grapples with the loss of Russian gas imports, the impact of global LNG supply disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz, and domestic gas storage levels currently hovering at 60% capacity. The plan remains subject to interministerial coordination, parliamentary scrutiny, and potential revisions, with debate continuing over whether a hybrid financing model should replace the current consumer-funded proposal.

German finance minister comments on trade conflicts before IMF trip

The German finance minister made comments regarding trade conflicts prior to an International Monetary Fund trip. The remarks were made in anticipation of the scheduled travel.

Germany stocks higher at close of trade; DAX up 0.25%

German stocks closed the trading session higher. The DAX index recorded an increase of 0.25%.

German DAX index rises despite wholesale price inflation

The German DAX index rose on Wednesday despite an acceleration in wholesale price inflation and rising oil prices. The increase in stock values was aided by a positive earnings update from the Dutch semiconductor equipment manufacturer ASML.

German wholesale prices climb 8.7% in September

Wholesale prices in Germany rose by 8.7% during the month of September. This data reflects the latest recorded change in the German wholesale market.

Evotec Reports Nine-Month 2026 Results Above Market Expectations

German healthcare company Evotec SE reported preliminary financial results for the first nine months of 2026 that exceeded market expectations. The company also reaffirmed its previously issued guidance for the 2026 fiscal year.

Krupp Foundation considers spinoff of Thyssenkrupp steel unit

The Krupp Foundation considered the spinoff of the Thyssenkrupp steel unit. The foundation evaluated this potential separation of the steel business from the parent company.

economic13 Oct 2026

Hugo Boss AG: Voting Rights Announcement

On October 12, 2026, the Netherlands-based Optiver Holding B.V. increased its total voting interest in the German apparel company HUGO BOSS AG to 20.27%. This position consists of 0.11% in direct voting rights and 20.17% held through financial instruments, including call options, put options, and futures contracts. The notification, released on October 13, 2026, reflects a significant increase from the previous reported position of 16.72%. The holdings are executed through Optiver V.O.F., which maintains the majority of these voting rights via instruments expiring between October 2026 and December 2028.

political13 Oct 2026

Chancellor Merz prioritizes welfare reform over popularity

On October 13, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced his intention to prioritize welfare and retirement system reforms over his personal standing in opinion polls. Addressing an employers' association in Frankfurt, Merz stated that these reforms aimed to provide better prospects for the younger generation and noted that the country’s pay-as-you-go retirement system was at least 30 years behind schedule. This policy shift followed the resignation of the centre-left SPD labour minister on October 12, an event that occurred amidst uncertainty regarding the coalition's stability following recent state election defeats.

German firms outline new infrastructure and green energy plans in Baku

German corporate leaders and Azerbaijani policymakers met at the German-Azerbaijani Connectivity Conference 2026 in Baku to outline investment plans for energy and infrastructure. Participants, including representatives from Siemens Energy, VNG AG, and Enercon, discussed initiatives ranging from fossil fuel supply security to the development of the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe Green Energy Corridor. This engagement was driven by Europe’s effort to reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels and leverage Azerbaijan’s potential to develop 8 GW of wind and solar projects by 2032. The conference served to deepen bilateral economic integration, with German firms targeting projects in grid modernization, renewable energy, and potential local production facilities.

BASF pledges to protect jobs and sites in any Evonik takeover

BASF issued a pledge to protect jobs and maintain sites in the event of a takeover of Evonik. This commitment addressed the operational status of the company during a potential acquisition.

German Stocks Rise Amid Easing U.S.-Iran Tensions

German stocks experienced growth on Monday morning, building upon gains from the prior session. This increase followed comments from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the status of potential military action against Iran.