Latest News

“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