Austrian Securities Market and Stock Exchange News and Analysis

Read the latest headlines and breaking news about the Vienna International Stock Exchange and the Austrian securities market (bonds, stocks)

CESEE Region: Booming Exports Prevent Recession

The underlying reason for the improving economic sentiment in the CESEE region is the expanding industrial sector. However, the region remains vulnerable to foreign trade and foreign investments.

November 5, 2013

IMF Wants to Introduce Compulsory Tax

IMF’s idea of introducing a compulsory tax on household assets could decrease state debt earns harsh criticism. Economists reject the idea.

November 4, 2013

Hungary: Another Bad Surprise for Banks

The Hungarian government plans to shift even more burdens to the banking sector. Costs for the banking sector will reach more than € 3.5bn.

November 4, 2013

Eurozone: Inflation Continues to Decrease

Euro area annual inflation down to 0.7 percent.

November 4, 2013

Slovenia: Highest Contribution of GDP to ESM

As reported by Slovenia Times, the country has spent 2.8 percent of GDP for the Euro Stability Mechanism (ESM) last year.

November 4, 2013

Slovenia´s Government Hopes for More FDI

In order to promote more foreign direct investments, Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek plans to hold investment conferences across Europe.

November 1, 2013

WEF: Russian Economy Needs Change in Domestic Institutional Environment

The Russian Federation is poised for transformation.

November 1, 2013

Slovenia: Banking Act Approved

The Slovenian Parliament has voted for an amendment of the banking act. It is still unclear whether Slovenia is able to recapitalize the banking sector sufficiently.

November 1, 2013

Czech Republic: Consumer Loans Weaken

The Czech loan growth is mainly driven by housing loans. The overal loan structure is improving, the NPL level remains flat.

November 1, 2013

Slovak Banking Industry Records Growing Net Income

In the first nine months of 2013, Slovakia´s banking sector recorded a total net profit of € 449m.

November 1, 2013

RBI: Rothensteiner Opposed Payout Block

The head of the Raiffeisen Centrobank and Chairman of RBI’s (Raiffeisen Bank International) supvervisory board Walter Rothensteiner is critical of a capital increase by a payout block.

October 31, 2013

Banks Jeopardize Austrian Triple-A Rating

In case further aids will become imminent, Austria could lose its rating.

October 31, 2013

Hypo Group to be Renamed after Sale

After the closing of the sale future owner of Hypo Group Alpe Adria Sanjeev Kanoria from the UK with Indian origins intends to rename Hypo Group.

October 31, 2013

Higher Cost Pressure for Austrian Banking Industry

Due to national and international regulations, Austrian banks have to bear higher costs than their foreign competitors.

October 31, 2013

Czech Banking Industry Is “Healthy”

According to the Czech banking association (CBA), the Czech banks are well equipped with capital.

October 31, 2013

Czech Republic: Stock Exchange Reacts to Election Results

After the general elections the Prague Stock Exchange (BCPP) grew significantly since corporate taxes, as threatened by the policymakers, will not be introduced.

October 30, 2013

Slovenia: Parliament Approves Amendmends to Banking Act

Measures were taken to reduce costs for winding up of two small Slovenian banks.

October 30, 2013

Cernko: Bank Shops in Austria Have to Be Reduced

In spite of the banks’ progresses Austria still has a high densitiy in bank branches.

October 30, 2013

Erste Group Expects Operating Result to Decline Significantly in 2013

Erste Group posts net profit of EUR 430.3 million in the first nine months of 2013; risk costs decline.

October 30, 2013

Austrian Banking Sector: NPL at Eurozone´s Top

In the Eurozone, the non-performing loans are still growing. In total, 7.8% of the loan portfolio is risky. Austrian banks are significantly above the average.

October 30, 2013

World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2014

Davos-Klosters, Switzerland 22-25 January. The Reshaping of the World: Consequences for Society, Politics and Business

October 29, 2013

Czech Republic: Monetary Easening Not an Option for CNB

Improper exit policy could cause currency swings or inflation, according to expert.

October 29, 2013

IMF on Slovenia: “Cleaning Up Banks is the Priority”

The IMF urges Slovenia to restructure its ailing banking sector. Slovenia faces expensive bank aid-programs.

October 29, 2013

BGZ: Santander Aims to Expand into Poland

In order to complete its local affiliate Bank Zachodni WBK, Spanish Santander intends to take over the Polish lender BGZ.

October 29, 2013

Serbia: Privredna Banka to Face Bankruptcy Proceedings

National Bank of Serbia annuls the operating license from Privredna banka. Bankruptcy proceedings are ahead.

October 29, 2013

Hungary: Conflict with Banks Sharpens

Hungary´s Minister of Finance Mihaly Varga rejects the proposal submitted by the banking association.

October 29, 2013

Banking Sector: Pressure on Slovenia Grows

The IMF calls Slovenia to re-capitalize the banking sector immediately. However, Slovenia´s financial situation is already more than tense.

October 29, 2013

Hungary: Junk Rating Remains

S&P has reiterated Hungary´s sovereign debt rating. Further cuts are not unlikely.

October 28, 2013

Albania Fighting NPLs

The Bank of Albania discusses introducing a policy for reducing non-performing loans and enhance lending.

October 28, 2013

Slovenia: Bailout Comes Closer

The ailing country is not expected to manage the financial crisis on its own. Calling for support from Brussels seems to be the last remaining alternative.

October 28, 2013

Hypo Group to Create Bad Bank

After months of considerations, the Austrian government will decide for the bad bank. The nationalized banking group will be a major burden for the state.

October 26, 2013

S&P Warns of Further Downgrade

The rating agency has kept the “AA+” rating. However, Austria has to put more effort into austerity measures, the rating agency stresses.

October 26, 2013

Record Profit at Zachodni Bank

The third-largest Polish lender has published the results for the third quarter. Net results are well above the estimates.

October 25, 2013

Hypo Group: Worst Expectations May be Exceeded

For the Austrian state, the ailing nationalized banking group may become a financial GSA. The legal dispute with the former owner BayernLB bears enormous dangers for Austria´s public finance.

October 25, 2013

Slovenia: NPC Increase to Above 17 Percent

The percentage of NPCs increased from 16.3 percent in June to 17.1 percent in July 2013.

October 25, 2013

Telekom Austria: Massive Capital Increase Ahead

In order to implement its expansion strategy, the Austrian telecommunication group will carry out a capital increase next year. In total, the capital requirement comes at € 1.0bn.

October 25, 2013

EU Summit Calls for Finalization of Joint Guidelines for ESM

The EU Summit presses for faster changes to achieve the aim of a banking union.

October 25, 2013

Romania: Precautionary Financial Assistance Approved

The Council of the European Union has approved a new precautionary financial assistance program for Romania in extend of € 2bn in connection with a loan by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

October 25, 2013

Hungary: Orban Underlines National Sovereignty

On the occasion of Hungary´s national holiday, Prime Minister Viktor Orban stressed the importance of values. The high public debt limits Hungary´s effective sovereignty, however.

October 24, 2013

Life Insurance Industry Under Pressure

For the insurance industry, life insurance products become less and less profitable.

October 24, 2013

Fiscal Policy: Austria in the Danger Zone

Although Austria´s public finances are relatively stable, the structural problems are growing year after year. The apparent stability involves big dangers.

October 24, 2013

RBI Discussing New Ways of Global Banking Regulations

RBI welcomes global finance at the ICC Banking Commission Meeting 2013.

October 24, 2013

Czech Republic: Four Banks too Big to Fail

CNB has determined four domestic banks that could potentially endanger the country’s financial system in case of bankruptcy, as reported by daily “Hospodarske noviny” (HN).

October 24, 2013

Serbia: Komercijalna Banka Supported by EFSE

Serbian Komercijalna Banka received a credit line of € 20m from the European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE).

October 24, 2013

ECB: “Uniform Assessment for Banks Important Step for Europe”

Assessment of ECB is an important step in the preparation of the single supervisory mechanism.

October 24, 2013

Polish Holding to Take over Romanian International Bank

According to Mediafax newswire, Polish Getin Holding will take over Romanian International Bank (RIB).

October 24, 2013

Stress Tests: Austrian Banks Demonstrate Optimism

Austrian banks are expected to pass the stress tests. However, the next years are expected to become challenging for the Austrian banking sector.

October 23, 2013

Poland Intends to Keep Banking Sector Small

The Polish financial regulator intends to keep the frequency of bank shops low and avoid risks and bailout by this.

October 23, 2013

Romania Plans Next Privatization

According to the Romanian government, Romtelecom may be partly privatized via the Bucharest Stock Exchange.

October 23, 2013

Austrian Banks Expected to Pass Auditing

According to the financial supervisors, the Austrian banks are likely to pass the ECB’s (European Central Bank) auditing since there are no significant adjustment requirements.

October 23, 2013