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“Keep Cool and Look Forward”
Alois Wögerbauer, Executive of 3 Banken-Generali Investment-Gesellschaft m.b.H., gives his view on the current situation at the Vienna Stock Exchange.
July 26, 2011
Austrian FDI Recovered Slightly in 2009
The value of Austrian investments abroad grew by 6% in 2009 and amounted to € 113bn. Companies still felt the impact of the crisis on their profits.
July 26, 2011
Kapsch TrafficCom Wins Order in Portugal
The Austrian technology company takes over installation, technical operation and maintenance of an electronic toll collection system.
July 26, 2011
Verbund’s Sorgenia Starts Eco-Subsidiary in Italy
Sorgenia Green is planning to invest € 500m in geothermal energy and hydro power projects in the next five years.
July 26, 2011
Austrian Companies Looking for Acquisition Targets in Greece
Greece’s debt crisis offers opportunities for Austrian companies. They are especially interested in acquisitions of Greek subsidiaries in the Balkans.
July 25, 2011
austriamicrosystems with Improved Results in the First Half of 2011
The Austrian microelectronics and semiconductor manufacturer increased revenues by 18%. EBIT went up from € 8.4m to € 15.8m.
July 25, 2011
Strong Growth for Car Leasing Companies
Booming car sales are boosting the leasing business in Austria. All major leasing banks recorded growth in the first half of 2011. The trend is expected to continue.
July 25, 2011
Vienna Stock Exchange: Winners and Losers (2011-07-25)
Daily News-Flash from the Vienna Stock Exchange: Upgrades & Downgrades, Winners & Losers.
July 25, 2011
Siemens Boss Peter Löscher to Stay until 2017
The Austrian manager will remain CEO of the German group for another five years. His contract will be extended until 2017.
July 25, 2011
Fitch Confirms Austria’s Triple-A Rating
The U.S. rating agency confirmed the Republic of Austria’s AAA credit rating. The outlook remains “stable”.
July 25, 2011
Massive Increase in Municipalities’ Foreign Currency Debt
The amount of foreign currency debt has doubled since 2009 and surpassed € 2bn in February 2011. Swiss franc denominated loans accounted for almost 100%.
July 25, 2011
Mitterlehner with Plans for Reform of ÖIAG
The Minister of Economics intends to reposition the Austrian state holding company. Markus Beyrer, the new CEO, is currently evaluating new concepts.
July 25, 2011
Growth in Production Is Slowing Down
Production index in May 2011: +6.7% compared to May 2010, +0.3% against April 2011.
July 25, 2011
Austrian Tourism: Slight Increase in Overnights
First third of summer season 2011: Rise in overnights by 3.7% in the period May to June. The number of arrivals reached a new record high.
July 25, 2011
Vienna Stock Exchange: Winners and Losers (2011-07-22)
Daily News-Flash from the Vienna Stock Exchange: Upgrades & Downgrades, Winners & Losers.
July 22, 2011
Kapsch TrafficCom Awarded Major Contract in the U.S.
The American subsidiary of the Austrian technology group won a ten-year contract for the operations of an electronic toll collection system in 14 states.
July 22, 2011
OMV: Total Production Declined by 14%
In the second quarter, the Austrian oil and gas company registered a significant drop in production. Sales volumes in the gas business increased by 43%.
July 22, 2011
UniCredit Sees ATX at 3,200 Points in 12 Months
The bank’s analysts expect the Austrian stock index to recover within the next 6 to 12 months. Close links with Germany and Eastern Europe are seen as an advantage.
July 22, 2011
Moderate Decline in One-Day Car Registrations
One-day registrations of passenger cars in the first half of 2011: -0.7%; 5.1% of new passenger cars were deregistered within one day.
July 22, 2011
Wolford Doubles Profit
The Austrian luxury clothing company achieved considerable growth in revenue and earnings in financial year 2010/11.
July 22, 2011
austriamicrosystems to Be Included in SIX Swiss Exchange’s SPI Middle Index Basket
Inclusion of the Austrian microelectronics and semiconductor manufacturer in the SPI Middle index basket becomes effective September 19, 2011.
July 21, 2011
Blue Chip Energy Filed for Insolvency
The solar cell producer has abandoned production today. Asian investors are said to be interested in an acquisition of the Burgenland-based company.
July 21, 2011
voestalpine Sues EU Over Plans for Carbon Emissions
The Austrian steel company and four German competitors filed a lawsuit against the EU. They argue that CO2 emission targets are unrealistic and unachievable.
July 21, 2011
Vienna Stock Exchange: Winners and Losers (2011-07-21)
Daily News-Flash from the Vienna Stock Exchange: Upgrades & Downgrades, Winners & Losers.
July 21, 2011
Agricultural Exports Are Booming
Foreign demand for fruits, vegetables and other products from Austria is growing. Exports went up 21% and amounted to € 2.18bn in the first quarter of 2011.
July 21, 2011
EVN Expands in Bulgaria
The Austrian electricity company invested € 5m in the construction of a solar power station in Bulgaria and increased its stake in a joint venture project in the country.
July 21, 2011
Crisis Reaches Retail Sector
Austria’s retail industry starts to feel the effects of a high inflation rate and the euro crisis. In May, revenues declined by 2.3%.
July 21, 2011
Immofinanz Generated New Funds in Russia
The Austrian real estate company reached an agreement on the refinancing of its logistics center in St. Petersburg. The new funds will be invested in further projects in Russia.
July 21, 2011
German Rail Cartel: Increasing Pressure on voestalpine
The German Federal Cartel Office made new inspections at a local subsidiary of the Austrian steel company. According to press reports, price fixing on the German rail market continued until 2011.
July 20, 2011
Credit Costs to Rise in the Wake of Basel III
The new regulatory requirements are expected to increase the cost of credits and to reduce the Austrian banks’ profitability.
July 20, 2011
New Attempt for Oil Pipeline Bratislava – Schwechat
New impetus for the Austro-Slovak infrastructure project: The pipeline would link OMV to the Russian network.
July 20, 2011
Vienna Stock Exchange: Winners and Losers (2011-07-20)
Daily News-Flash from the Vienna Stock Exchange: Upgrades & Downgrades, Winners & Losers.
July 20, 2011
“Capital Gains Tax Has a Strong Negative Effect on Private Investment Volumes”
Erste Group Research expects a moderately positive performance for the ATX in the second half of 2011. Top picks: OMV, RHI, Immofinanz, voestalpine, AMAG, Kapsch, Polytec, AT&S.
July 20, 2011
Slight Increase in Used Car Registrations from January to June
Registrations of used motor vehicles in the first half of 2011: +2.4%; passenger cars +1.5%, lorries +1.0%.
July 20, 2011
Rise of Industrial Producer Prices Is Slowing Down
Prices of industrial goods gained 4.6% in May 2011. For the first time in six months the annual rate of change was less than 5%.
July 20, 2011
House Searches at A-Tec’s Management
Serious allegations have been made against Board Members of the Austrian conglomerate which is currently negotiating with potential investors. Eight houses have been searched.
July 20, 2011
update software AG Returns to Profitability
The Austrian software company, which is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, is on its way back to black figures. Sales went up 29.2% in the second quarter, EBIT improved to positive earnings of € 0.2m.
July 20, 2011
Declining Profit for AT&S in the First Quarter
The Austrian technology company had a difficult start into the financial year. EBIT more than halved to € 4.4m. Nonetheless, the outlook has been confirmed.
July 20, 2011
Food Prices Continue to Rise Rapidly
Within three months, prices increased by more than 8%. The Austrian Chamber of Labor asked the government to take countermeasures.
July 19, 2011
Economic Growth to Slow Down in Second Half of 2011
Real growth is predicted to fall to 0.3% in the third quarter. The forecast is based on reduced export prospects, a lower number of new orders and the euro crisis.
July 19, 2011
Prices of Household Energy Up 9.8% in June
Fuel, heating oil and gas were identified as main price drivers. Compared to the last month, a slight decline in energy prices was registered.
July 19, 2011
Intercell Is Looking for Financial Investors
The ailing Austrian biotech company is in urgent need of cash. An acquisition, strategic partnerships and a capital increase are being evaluated.
July 19, 2011
Hypo Alpe Adria Opens New Branches in Italy
The Carinthian bank is expanding its business in the neighboring country although the subsidiary will soon be in the hands of a new owner.
July 19, 2011
Vienna Stock Exchange: Winners and Losers (2011-07-19)
Daily News-Flash from the Vienna Stock Exchange: Upgrades & Downgrades, Winners & Losers.
July 19, 2011
Julian Jäger and Günther Ofner to Take Over Management of Vienna Airport
Following the resignation of Christoph Herbst, Vienna Airport has selected Jäger and Ofner as new members of the Management board. They will take up work at the beginning of September.
July 19, 2011
RBI’s Direct Bank Zuno Starts Operations in the Czech Republic
Following the launch in Slovakia at the end of 2010, Raiffeisen’s direct bank now takes up business in a second country.
July 19, 2011
PE Firm Acquires Prefabricated House Specialist Hanlo
The Styrian provider of prefabricated houses was acquired by H.I.G. European Capital Partners. Company founder Hanno Loidl will remain active in an advisory role.
July 19, 2011
Verbund Sold Renewables Portfolio to Axa Private Equity
The Austrian electricity company disposed of Poweo’s renewable energy business as a step towards restructuring of its portfolio in France.
July 19, 2011
SensorDynamics Acquired by Maxim
The Styrian semiconductor company was sold to Nasdaq-listed Maxim Integrated Products. The American group will pay approximately $ 130m (€ 92.3m).
July 19, 2011
Stress Test: Erste Group and Raiffeisen Passed, Volksbank Failed
Volksbanken Group is the only Austrian bank that failed the stress test. Taking into account the measures that are currently being implemented, the core tier I ratio would be above the benchmark.
July 15, 2011