Latest News

Billa Has Growth Plans in Russia

The Austrian subsidiary of German Rewe Group intends to take over the Russian competitor Citystore.

January 16, 2012

Telekom Austrian Interested in Bulgarian Vivacom

The second-largest Bulgarian telecommunication enterprise is for sale. Telekom Austria has good prospects to become the buyer.

January 16, 2012

2012 Brings Stagnation for Austrian Economy

According to Bank Austria´s economic indicator, Austrian economic growth will only reach 0.8% this year.

January 16, 2012

Vienna Stock Exchange: Winners and Losers (2012-01-16)

Daily News-Flash from Vienna Stock Exchange: Upgrades and Downgrades, Winners and Losers.

January 16, 2012

Uniqa: Strong Growth in Premium Income

The Austrian insurance company announced to have achieved 20% growth in Bulgaria.

January 16, 2012

Binder Creates New Technology Company

Binder+Co AG has started the 2012 financial year with the foundation of a new subsidiary in the shape of Bublon GmbH. Binder+Co Group now consists of a total of four companies.

January 16, 2012

Austrian Labor Market is Stable

The Minister of Social Affairs, Rudolf Hundstorfer, strikes a balance of the labor market in 2011 and refers to the lowest unemployment rate in the EU.

January 15, 2012

Downgrade: „It´s Time to Take Action“

The downgrade of Austria´s rating from “AAA” to “AA+” caused mixed reactions. The Austrian economy urges for structural actions.

January 15, 2012

New Management for Microsoft Austria

With Georg Obermeier, the Austrian subsidiary of the U.S. software group has a new executive.

January 14, 2012

Investments in Wind Power to Increase Substantially

In 2012, the Austrian wind power production will be enlarged by 33%. Investments of € 620m are expected.

January 14, 2012

Treichl Does Not Expect Hungarian National Insolvency

In spite of a large exposure in Hungary, Andreas Treichl, Erste Group´s CEO is optimistic. By 2014, Erste Group Hungary should be profitable again.

January 14, 2012

DiTech Raises Sales by 9.0%

The Vienna-based computer retailer recorded sales of € 105m in 2011.

January 14, 2012

Austrian Hotel Industry Under Pressure

Over the last years, the domestic hotel industry improved its size, capacity utilization and revenues. However, costs are rising massively.

January 14, 2012

Austria Has 2.2 Million Retirees

Against 2010, the number of retirees was up by 1.3%. The average retirement age did not increase, employment of older persons could improve.

January 14, 2012

Hutchinson Acquired Orange

The Chinese telecommunication operator takes over Frenche Orange. The acquisition price totals € 1.0bn.

January 14, 2012

Downgrade: Government Surprised and Criticized

For the Austrian government, the downgrade by the U.S. rating agency is „not comprehensible”. The domestic industry urgently claims structural reforms.

January 14, 2012

Austria to Lose its AAA

According to partially confirmed market rumors, S&P will downgrade France and Austria.

January 13, 2012

Study on „Economic Freedom“: Austria Falls

In the global ranking of the U.S. “Heritage foundation”, Austria only occupies rank 28. The government would not introduce enough reforms, bureaucracy would be too high.

January 13, 2012

OMV: Libyan Oil Production at 60% of Pre-War Level

The Austrian OMV produces 19,000 barrels per day in Libya. Production can be improved steadily. A Romanian refinery will be sold to the Romanian state.

January 13, 2012

Vienna Stock Exchange: Winners and Losers (2012-01-13)

Daily News-Flash from Vienna Stock Exchange: Upgrades and Downgrades, Winners and Losers.

January 13, 2012

Bank Austria Lost Madoff Case

Bank Austria distributed Primeo Funds, issued by the U.S. former investment banker Bernard Madoff. The prospectus did not contain sufficient information, a Viennese court decided.

January 13, 2012

Telekom Austria Faces New Taxes in Croatia

Croatia re-introduces extraordinary taxes for telecommunication operators. The local government is criticized by Telekom Austria and the EU.

January 13, 2012

Feared Export Slump Did Not Occur

The Austrian export activity slowed down in the fourth quarter, but the pessimistic expectations did not become real. In 2011, Austrian exports were up by 12%.

January 13, 2012

OMV Starts Downsizing Operations

The Austrian oil and gas company starts to reduce the weighting of the Refining and Marketing (R&M) business segment in the overall portfolio.

January 13, 2012

Central European Gas Hub Sets a New Record in Gas Trading

Trading volume of the Austrian gas hub rose to 40 billion cubic metres in 2011. This is an increase by 15% compared to the previous year.

January 13, 2012

Exit in Hungary Would be Expensive

In case of leaving the Hungarian market, Austrian banks would face enormous costs, says Citigroup.

January 13, 2012

South Tyrol Claims Economic Independence

In order to reach the same economic growth level of Germany or Austria, South Tyrol offers € 15.0bn to Italy.

January 12, 2012

Unions Protest Against AUA´s Plans

Austrian trade unions are strictly against new austerity measures at Austrian Airlines. Management wants to negotiate over new collective agreements.

January 12, 2012

Polish Warta: Decision Expected this Week

Vienna Insurance Group and Zurich fight for Polish Warta. The seller, Belgian KBC, will decide this week.

January 12, 2012

„Vienna Is One of the Most Undervalued Stock Exchange in the World“

According to the investment funds manager Alois Wögerbauer, Vienna has a huge upside potential.

January 12, 2012

Lenzing Continues Supply to U.S. Army

U.S. President Obama signs permanent import approval allowing the Austrian Lenzing AG to supply flame-resistant fibers to the U.S. Army.

January 12, 2012

Austrian Banks Must Downsize in Hungary

Erste Group and Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) must streamline their operations. Nevertheless, a further capital increase could become necessary.

January 12, 2012

Vienna Stock Exchange: Winners and Losers (2012-01-12)

Daily News-Flash from Vienna Stock Exchange. Upgrades and Downgrades, Winners and Losers.

January 12, 2012 · Updated: January 12, 2012; 11:11

Dotter Takes Over Management of Alpine

The second-largest Austrian construction company has a new Chief Executive Officer, the 50-year-old Johannes Dotter.

January 12, 2012

Agrana Achieves Significant Rise in Earnings

The Austrian fruit and starch company posts its results for first three quarters of 2011|12. Revenues were up from € 1.62bn to € 1.95bn.

January 12, 2012

Pressure on Hungary Increases

The chairman of the Austrian Central Bank, Ewald Nowotny, sees no danger for Austrian banks from Hungary. EU and IMF criticize the Hungarian government.

January 11, 2012

Zotter Sounds Chinese Market

The Austrian chocolatier Josef Zotter wants to offer his products to Chinese customers. A market entry is considered.

January 11, 2012

VIG Has „No Problems in Hungary“

“We are an insurance group and not a bank.”, said the management of Vienna Insurance Group. Nevertheless, the developments are observed thoroughly.

January 11, 2012

Pankl Takes Over German Automotive Company

The Austrian automotive and racing company Pankl acquires the German specialist Huber, which is located in Munich.

January 11, 2012

3.4% Passenger Increase for AUA

According to Austrian Airlines traffic results, more than 11 million passengers were carried in 2011.

January 11, 2012

Immofinanz Repays € 77.6m in Convertible Bonds

The Austrian real estate group announces the end of the put period for premature redemption of the 2014 convertible bond.

January 11, 2012

Austrian Wage Tax Intake Grows

The Austrian wage tax volume totaled 21.6bn in 2010. Gross wages were up by 2.5%.

January 11, 2012

CA Immo Completes Tower 185 Project in Frankfurt

Rental premises in the tower were simultaneously handed over to PwC, the principal tenant. The total investment in Tower 185 stands at approximately € 450m.

January 11, 2012

Vienna Stock Exchange: Winners and Losers (2012-01-11)

Daily News-Flash from Vienna Stock Exchange: Upgrades and Downgrades, Winners and Losers.

January 11, 2012 · Updated: January 11, 2012; 15:17

Wienerberger to Raise Bond Issue to € 200m

The subscription period for Wienerberger´s corporate bond runs from January 13.

January 11, 2012

OMV Condemned by Antitrust Authorities

Petrom, a subsidiary of the Austrian oil and gas company has to pay a € 85.2m fine in Romania.

January 11, 2012

Slow Growth in CEE Expected

According to Raiffeisen Research, real GDP in CEE to grow by 2.0 per cent in 2012, while Austria set to post GDP decline of 0.5 per cent.

January 11, 2012

Austrian Airlines Records High Losses

Against previous expectations, the Austrian subsidiary of Lufthansa could not improve its results in 2011 compared to 2010.

January 10, 2012

Economic Inequalities between Austrian Regions

Urban regions record a significantly higher income. The economic crisis caused a decline in gross regional product and disposable income in 2009.

January 10, 2012

CA Immo Secures Refinancing for Project in Budapest

The Austrian real estate company CA Immo has agreed on refinancing for an office building in Budapest with Bank Austria. The investment totals € 27.0m.

January 10, 2012