Vienna International Company News

Read the latest headlines about developments in international organizations, companies and institutions operating in Vienna, Austria

Meinl Needs to Reimburse Starbet Investors

The Regional High Court (OLG) in Vienna has passed the judgement that Meinl Bank has to compensate sports betting company Starbet

March 23, 2013

Russia Enhances Oil Supply to China

Experts describe the dealings as a community of purpose rather than a sign of improved relations.

March 23, 2013

VBAG to Sell Malta Affiliate

VBAG is going to sell its small Malta subsidiary in the course of the EU downsizing program which the banking institute has commited to.

March 23, 2013

"Croatia Will Not Benefit From Joining The EU"

Croatia will join the European Union as the 28th member state in a few months. Economists criticize the country for not carrying out enough reforms and only focusing on tourism.

March 22, 2013

Fekter: “Austrians can rest easy knowing that their bank deposits are safe.”

Current situation in Cyprus is an exceptional case and not comparable in any way with Austria.

March 22, 2013

Cyprus: Negotiations About “Plan B“ Today

After days of negotiations in Moscow, Cyprian Finance Minister had to return empty-handed. Talks about “plan B” will continue today.

March 22, 2013

Hypo Group’s Silence Bewilders Bayern LB

Bayern LB is puzzled as to why former affiliate, Carithian Hypo Group, has not shown any efforts to state their position before court.

March 21, 2013

RBI to Acquire More Clients in Romania

RBI (Raiffeisen Bank International) is attaining a portfolio of private clients by Citibank via affiliate Raiffeisen Bank S. A.

March 21, 2013

Slight Improvement for Austria’s Economy in 2013/14

IHS (Institute of Advanced Studies) and Wifo (Austrian Institute of Economic Research) forecast a sluggish growth for Austrian’s economy.

March 21, 2013

National Bank of Slovenia Reports Slowing Growth

The banking system’s total assets were down by € 88.5m in January or 6.6% y/y. The banks repaid liabilities to foreign banks in the amount of € 171m and to the Eurosystem in the amount of € 78m.

March 21, 2013

Hungary: Gross Earnings Increased Marginally

In the national economy – at corporations employing at least 5 persons, budgetary and designated non-profit institutions – average gross earnings increased by 2.5%, while net earnings excluding family tax benefits grew by 3.9% compared to 2011.

March 21, 2013

Cyprus: No Hope in Sight Yet

It is still uncertain if an agreement with Russia about the sale of gas fields can be found. President of the EU commission has joined the talks in Moscow.

March 20, 2013

FCC to Cut Down On Manpower

Alpine’s parent company, Spanish construction enterprise FCC is going to cut back on 1,000 jobs. Furthermore, company shares that are not part of the core business in the amount of € 2.2bn are supposed to be sold.

March 20, 2013

Hungary: Personnel Purge at MNB

New govenor of the Hungarian Central Bank (MNB) György Matolcsy continues his purge.

March 20, 2013

Good Year for Austrian Banks in 2012

The consolidated financial statements after tax and minority shares increased from € 711m to € 2.97bn.

March 20, 2013

Vienna International Airport: Top Score of +127.5 % Net Profit

EBITDA at € 221.m (+17.1%), net profit after non-controlling interests of € 71.9m, dividend: slight increase to € 1.05 per share (2012: € 1.00)

March 20, 2013

CA Immo: Major Drop in Profits

On Tuesday evening, CA Immo published the annual figures for 2012. The market-listed real estate company shows profits of € 48.6m which means a decrease of 28 %.

March 20, 2013

Cyprus Appeals for Help to Russia

In a vote on Tuesday the government has decided not to use the private money of Cyprus‘ citizens to help bail out the banks. After the rejection, the EU aid package is now off. Cyprus hopes rest on Russia at this point.

March 20, 2013

Cyprus: Parliament Rejects EU Bail-Out Package

Not a single member of the Cyprian parliament has voted in favor of the controversial plan where a compulsary levy for all creditors was planned.

March 19, 2013

Austria: How to Keep Enterprises (from Drifting Away)

At the moment, there is a subtle fear in Austria’s economy that large enterprises are going to outsource to foreign countries which is currently the case with voestalpine.

March 19, 2013

Slovenia: Highest Decrease in Construction Industry

In January 2013, compared with December 2012, the production in construction in the Eurozone was down by 1.4% and down by 1.3% in EU27-states. Slovenia experiences the highest decrease with 7.4 %.

March 19, 2013

Russia: Gazprom Runs the Risk of Losing Market Shares

According to the newspaper “RBC Daily”, Gazprom stands to lose a further market share for gas supply as German energy enterprises are prompting the government to start producing shale gas.

March 19, 2013

Bank Austria To Boost Capital Base

CEO Cernko wants Eastern Europe to play an important role again in the future.

March 19, 2013

EVN to Start Arbitration Procedure

Today, Austrian power supply company EVN informed the state of Bulgaria about opening arbitration proceedings.

March 19, 2013

Hypo Shows Improved Results for CESEE and Austria

Hypo Group achieved a result close to break-even in 2012 with € 3.0m after tax. Total assets drop below € 34bn (2011: € 35.1bn). Net interest income drops y/y from € 753.3 m to EUR 678.4 m (almost 10 %).

March 19, 2013

Cyprus: Small Investors To Be Excluded From Tax

After protests among Cyprus‘ citizens arised and harsh criticism was expressed, the government now intends to exclude small savers from the compulsary tax and grant them a relief.

March 19, 2013

Austria: Increasing Demand in Flats

Half of the required flats in Austria are missed in Vienna. Experts have long forcasted the growing need in newly constructed buildings particularly in the city centers.

March 18, 2013

Czech Republic: Opposition Rejects Austerity Measures

Opposition leader Sobotka was re-elected last Friday as chairman of the Social Democrats. In an interview with Reuters he explains why the government needs to slow down on austerity measures.

March 18, 2013

Hungary: Dissatisfaction Towards Government Grows

Right-wing leader Viktor Orban has been in parliament for almost three years. But the promised reforms and changes to improve the economic situation came to nothing. Protests are arising.

March 18, 2013

Austria: Investigation Against VBAG Board Members

The Austrian Justice is currently investigating a case of the Austrian Volksbanken AG (VBAG) where three former board members are accused of having forged balance sheets. Board director CEO Michael Mendel is not among the suspects.

March 18, 2013

Hungary: Construction Industry Suffers From Decline

Year-on-year, construction output decreased by 4.1% in January 2013 according to both unadjusted and working day adjusted indices. Output went down by a seasonally adjusted 1.5% month-on-month.

March 18, 2013

Cyprus: Parliament Votes Tomorrow For Rescue Package

The Cyprian parliament is unlikely to vote in favor for the rescue package which forces bank clients to contribute with their private money.

March 18, 2013

Bank Austria's Profits Under Pressure

In the fourth quarter, Bank Austria has recorded a net loss of € 676m. In the whole year, CEE division showed a profit before tax of € 1.712bn which is an increase of 6 % compared to 2011. One-off charges totalled € 879m.

March 18, 2013

CSA: Korean Air Gets In

The South Korean airline will take over the publicly held stake in the loss-making Czech carrier.

March 16, 2013

Austria Pays Almost € 300m in Greek Aid

Eurosystem gives away profits from support operations of Greek government bonds. € 281m comes from Austria.

March 16, 2013

Bank Austria Takes Drastic Measures

Because of selling the Kazakhstan division and bad credits, quarter losses of € 553m for parent company UniCredit have to be faced.

March 16, 2013

Cyprus to Receive € 10bn in EU Aid Money

Russia being the biggest investor in Cyprus offered extension of credits. In return, austerity measures and reforms are demanded.

March 16, 2013

VBAG is Forced to Continue Radical Downsizing Measures

The partly nationalized and financially stricken Austrian banking group has to implement a painful restructuring concept. At the moment, VBAG sells its properties.

March 15, 2013

Red Bull Sells More Than 5bn Cans Worldwide

Energy drink producer Red Bull was able to increase turnovers by almost 16 %, totaling € 4.93bn.

March 15, 2013

Bank Austria to Sell ATF

Bank Austria will sell its affiliation in Kazakhstan, ATF Bank, which was acquired in 2007. ATF made losses into the billions.

March 15, 2013

Austria: Mitterlehner Still Optimistic For Automotive Industry

The massive decline of 23 % in the motor vehicle trade in the first ten days of March 2013 does apparently not concern Austria’s economy minister Reinhold Mitterlehner.

March 15, 2013

Poland: Inflation Decreasing

Declining inflation was supported by weaker demand and cost pressures in the economy, decrease in energy price growth as well as zloty exchange rate stronger than a year ago.

March 15, 2013

Czech Republic: Contruction Industry Sees Further Declines

In January 2013 the construction output declined by 9.3%, year-on-year (y-o-y). The planning and building control authorities granted by 4.1% more building permits, y-o-y, and the approximate value of permitted constructions dropped by 31.7%, y-o-y.

March 15, 2013

Hungary: Orban Rejects Criticisms

After making amendments to the Hungarian constitution, Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his leading Fidezs party have to face harsh criticisms. EU Justice Commissoner Viviane Reding announced to take measures.

March 15, 2013

Czech Republic: Industrial Production Decreased by 4.1%

In January 2013, industrial production decreased at constant prices by 4.1%, year-on-year. Compared to the previous month, seasonally adjusted industrial production was the same as in December 2012. The value of new orders decreased by 7.6%, y-o-y.

March 15, 2013

Romania: Surplus in Balance of Payments

In January, the balance-of-payments current account posted a surplus of EUR 465 million Y/Y.

March 15, 2013

Austria: EVN To Sell Devoll Hydropower To Statkraft A. S.

Agreement regarding the sale of EVN AG's stake in Devoll Hydropower ShA, a project entity for the construction of a hydro power plant in Albania, to Statkraft A.S.

March 14, 2013

Russia: Former Economy Minister To Become New Governor Of Central Bank

Former economy minister Elvira Nabiullina will take over the post of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) Governor.

March 14, 2013

Russia: Banks At Risk Of Losing Billions

According to rating agency Moody’s, Russians banking institutes are at risk of losing money to investments in Cyprus.

March 14, 2013

Hungary: Industrial Production Continues to Shrink

In January 2013, industrial gross output was down by 1.4% year-on-year.

March 14, 2013