Latest News

EVN Concludes Acquisition of Stake in Inn Power Plants

The Austrian electricity company purchased a 13% stake in Verbund’s hydroelectric power plants on the Inn river.

July 5, 2011

Sale of VBI to Be Signed in July

The Austrian Volksbanken Group and Sberbank have come close to an agreement on the sale of the Eastern European bank. The transaction price will be € 700m.

July 5, 2011

Economic Council Met for the First Time

Representatives from business and politics came together in the Federal Chancellery. The round of talks will be held three to four times a year.

July 4, 2011

VIG Interested in Acquisition of Polish Warta Insurance

The Austrian insurance company might strengthen its position in the Polish market with the acquisition of a local company.

July 4, 2011

Vienna Stock Exchange: Winners and Losers (2011-07-04)

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

July 4, 2011

ÖBB’s Debt Will Amount to € 30bn in 2020

Large infrastructure development projects will almost double the Austrian Federal Railways’ debt. In relation to other European countries, Austria spends the second highest amount per capita on the expansion of rail networks.

July 4, 2011

Foreign Trade: € 35m for Promotion of Exports

82% of Austrian exports go to other European countries. The state and the Economic Chamber start a new initiative to increase trade with BRIC countries.

July 4, 2011

Massive Increase in Household Energy Prices in May

Energy prices were up 9.7% year-on-year, while a slight decline was registered compared to the last month. Main drivers were fuel and gas.

July 4, 2011

RBI Hit by Bankruptcy of Saudi Arabian Company

The Austrian bank has problems with its credit business in Saudi Arabia. “An amount in the low hundreds of millions” is at risk.

July 4, 2011

RHI: Plans for New Plant in the US

The Austrian producer of refractory materials intends to open a new factory in the US. In the long run, bricks for the North American market will be produced locally.

July 4, 2011

Austrian Industrial and Construction Turnover up by 14.0%

Positive production trends in industry and construction in March 2011; turnover +14.0%. Metal industry and automotive industry are dominant factors.

July 1, 2011

Vienna Stock Exchange: Winners and Losers (2011-07-01)

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

July 1, 2011

Verbund: Speculations about Increase in Sorgenia Stake

The Austrian electricity company might sell its shares in Poweo and instead acquire its joint venture partner’s stake in Sorgenia.

July 1, 2011

voestalpine is the Leniency Applicant in the German Rail Cartel

The Austrian steel company applied for leniency in the case of anti-competitive practices in the German rail tracks market. The group expects to be exempted from any fines.

July 1, 2011

Moody’s Gives Negative Outlook for Carinthia

Austria’s southernmost province received a negative outlook due to an increasing budget deficit, high debt and credit guarantees for Hypo Alpe Adria.

July 1, 2011

New Employment Record in June

The number of unemployed fell by 2.3% to 268,866 in June. The positive development has lasted for 16 months already.

July 1, 2011

Economic Upswing Continues: Wifo and IHS Expect 3% Growth

Both research institutes revised their forecast for the current year upwards. Economic risks are also predicted to increase.

July 1, 2011

Kapsch TrafficCom Makes Important Step in Russia

A joint venture of the Austrian technology group has made it to the final stage of a tendering process for a Russian highway project.

July 1, 2011

A-Tec Received Binding Offers from Investors

Investors will need at least € 210m in order to fulfill the payout plan. Up to five potential buyers were still interested in an acquisition.

July 1, 2011

S&T: Operating Loss Widened

The ailing Austrian IT service provider has not yet achieved the turnaround. Half of the company’s share capital has already been used up.

June 30, 2011

Vienna Stock Exchange: Winners and Losers (2011-06-30)

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

June 30, 2011

Construction Output Down by 5.1%

Austrian output of construction of buildings and civil engineering decreased by 5.1% from January until March 2011. Volume of orders fell by 3.2%.

June 30, 2011

Successful Start for RBI’s Direct Bank Zuno in Slovakia

18,000 Slovak customers have deposited a total amount of € 125m in the first six months since the bank entered the market in December 2010.

June 30, 2011

RBI: Acquisition of Polbank Stake Advancing

The Austrian bank has received anti-trust approval of the deal. Closing and operational merger are expected in Q4/2011 or Q1/2012.

June 30, 2011

Wienerberger Received Green Light for Tondach Acquisition

The Austrian brick producer will transfer 50% of the shares in Bramac to Monier Group and, in exchange, receive a further 25% stake in Tondach Gleinstätten plus an additional payment.

June 30, 2011

Wilhelm Molterer Appointed Vice-President of the EIB

The former Austrian Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister will start his new job as Vice-President of the European Union’s bank on 1 July.

June 30, 2011

Austria’s Foreign Trade Close to Record Level

Austrian imports and exports recovered strongly and increased by more than 16% in the year 2010. The trade balance deficit amounted to € 4.28bn.

June 30, 2011

Austrian Government Debt Grew to € 210bn

Debt of the federal sector increased by € 6.3bn, while all other sectors registered a decline. Social insurance carriers’ debt fell by 32%.

June 30, 2011

bwin.party to Start Share Buy-Back and Dividend Payments

The Austro-British gambling group starts paying dividends this year. Shares for up to € 75m will be bought back by the company.

June 30, 2011

Novomatic Not Interested in Lottery Concession

The Austrian gaming machine manufacturer is not interested in expanding into the lottery business. The company will only apply for casino licenses.

June 29, 2011

Pfanner with Record Investment

The Austrian fruit juice and ice tea producer will make the largest investment in its history. A 5% increase in revenue is planned this year.

June 29, 2011

Vienna Stock Exchange: Winners and Losers (2011-06-29)

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

June 29, 2011

Industrial Activity Is Cooling Down

Growth of Austrian industrial production has reached its lowest level since the beginning of 2010. The rate of job creation is leveling off.

June 29, 2011

Increase in Austrian Electricity Price below EU Average

Electricity and gas are relatively expensive in Austria compared to other EU countries. The electricity price rose by 1.1% in 2009/10.

June 29, 2011

Retirement Provisioning: Austrians Put aside € 63 per Month

Retirement provisioning study 2011: Austrians prefer low-risk investments. 58% rely on the financial knowledge of their bank account managers.

June 29, 2011

voestalpine May Revive Plans for New Factory

The Austrian steel company may revive plans next year to build a plant abroad as rising demand boosts prices.

June 29, 2011

Labor Force and Household Projections for Austria 2010-2050

The Austrian labor force is predicted to reach a maximum of 4.2 million in 2018. The number of households in 2050 will be up 19.8% over 2009.

June 29, 2011

RLB OÖ to Sell Its Stake in Polytec

The Upper Austrian regional bank will sell its shares in the component supplier for approximately € 34m.

June 29, 2011

Vienna Stock Exchange: Winners and Losers (2011-06-28)

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

June 28, 2011

Teak Holz to Raise Capital for Expansion

The Upper Austrian timber company announced a capital increase by € 15.6m. The funds will be used to boost growth.

June 28, 2011

Slight Decline in Company Insolvencies

Private insolvencies are on the rise, while the number of companies filing for bankruptcy is falling moderately.

June 28, 2011

Austria in the Upper Third of Comparative Price Levels across Europe

Austria recorded the eighth highest price level among the 27 EU member countries. Food and energy were found to be the most expensive segments in the country as compared to European prices.

June 28, 2011

Peter Layr New President of Oesterreichs Energie

The CEO of EVN will succeed Wolfgang Anzengruber as President of the branch association of Austrian energy. He was elected for three years.

June 28, 2011

Volksbanken Group to Sell Stake in RZB

Österreichische Volksbanken-AG Group (VBAG) will sell its shares in Raiffeisen Zentralbank for almost € 500m. The redemption of state capital and the sale of VBI have been delayed.

June 28, 2011

S&T Wins Contract in Serbia

The Austrian IT service provider will be responsible for the implementation of the largest SAP project in Serbia in the last years.

June 28, 2011

ACP Says No to IPO

The Viennese IT service provider has ruled out an IPO for the next two to three years as the market environment is “not suitable for medium-sized companies”.

June 27, 2011

Vienna Stock Exchange: Winners and Losers (2011-06-27)

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

June 27, 2011

HTI Successfully Completed Capital Increase

The Austrian technological group raised € 6.6m of additional equity. The capital increase was over-subscribed by 26%.

June 27, 2011

Verbund to Restructure Its Portfolio

The Austrian electricity company is negotiating the sale of French Poweo. Eni and Enel are said to be interested in an acquisition.

June 27, 2011

Uniqa Sold Stake in Romanian Company

The Austrian insurance group sold its 27% holding in Astra for € 25m to the Nova Group.

June 27, 2011