Latest News

Vienna: Negotiations Between the SPÖ and the Greens Almost Concluded

The last major points are budget issues. Both sides are however optimistic of reaching an agreement.

November 5, 2010

Inheritances: A Trillion in the Next 30 Years

The next generation will inherit assets of 80,000 euro per capita.

November 5, 2010

A-Tec: Compromise Between Banks and Creditors

The creditors of the ailing industrial group A-Tec have been able to reach a compromise with the banks to provide further financing for the Group.

November 5, 2010

Energy Industry: Tough Start for Expansion

The domestic energy industry has numerous plans to expand capacity. However, political will is containing them.

November 5, 2010

Trichet Succession: The Austrian Nowotny Has Chances As Outsider

The European Central Bank (ECB) will appoint a new president in November 2011. The favorites are the German Axel Weber and the Italian Mario Draghi. But Nowotny has outsider chances.

November 5, 2010

Semperit AG Holding production in Thailand affected by flooding

Monsoon rains interrupt the production in Semperit´s facilities in Thailand. The local infrastructure is strongly affected.

November 5, 2010

Vienna Stock Exchange: Today´s Winners and Losers (2010-11-04)

Daily News-Flash from the Vienna Stock Exchange

November 4, 2010

Energy Companies are Investing € 6.2 bn

Austria's electricity companies are currently planning the construction and expansion of more than 80 power plants.

November 4, 2010

RHI: Positive Development in the First Nine Months

RHI AG, the world market leader in refractory products, recorded a significant increase in revenues and earnings in the first three quarters of 2010 compared with the prior-year reference period.

November 4, 2010

Industry: Recovery Dynamics are Leveling Off

IV’s (Federation of Austrian Industries) economic barometer shows minor increases; there is a gradual return to normal capacity. Only a small momentum is to be expected in employment and earnings growth.

November 4, 2010

Polytec: Withdrawal of RLB Oberösterreich?

According to market information, the Raiffeisen Landesbank Oberösterreich (Upper Austria) will separate from the auto supplier, who was badly hit by the crisis, but is writing black figures again.

November 4, 2010

AUA: Massive Criticism of Government

Owing to the flight ticket tax one feels lied to by the politicians. Contrary to promises, there is no support for restructuring. Not even Vienna Airport is immune from criticism.

November 4, 2010

Difficulties in the Vienna Real Estate Market

While there is a strong demand, there are few offers for investment properties in Vienna. The market turnover drops dramatically.

November 4, 2010

Bawag and Post Seal Cooperation

BAWAG and the Post want to enter into a symbiosis and create their own nationwide network of branches throughout Austria by 2012.

November 4, 2010

Unexpected Rise in Research Expenditure

Against the general trend, Austria's economy is increasingly investing in research and know-how.

November 4, 2010

Working Time Flexibility Prevented Mass Unemployment

During the crisis, many German and Austrian companies flexibilized the working hours of their employees. These measures helped to ease the labor market situation.

November 4, 2010

Vienna Stock Exchange: Winners and Losers of Today

Daily News-Flash from the Vienna Stock Exchange

November 3, 2010

4.25% Kapsch TrafficCom Bonds Successfully Placed

Kapsch TrafficCom AG (ISIN AT000KAPSCH9), listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange in the prime market segment, successfully placed corporate bonds with a tenor of seven years and a volume of Euro 75 million.

November 3, 2010

Wienerberger Records More Profits, but Less than Expected

Wienerberger AG recorded a 7% year-on-year increase in operating EBITDA to € 82.2 million for the third quarter of 2010. However, analysts expected even more.

November 3, 2010

Polytec Group Continues Upward Trend

The Upper-Austrian automotive component supplier is able to record rising earnings also in Q3 2010.

November 3, 2010

Strabag and Alpine Suspected of Cartelization

Damages for 2 billion euro (2.8 billion dollars) are said to be the result of forming a construction cartel for motorway construction in Slovenia.

November 3, 2010

AUA: Deficits Must Go

Austrian Airlines, bought in 2009 by German Lufthansa, are now working with profit at operational level. But restructuring of long haul routes is proving to be particularly difficult.

November 3, 2010

Raiffeisen Participates in Bid for Polbank

Raiffeisen International Bank (RBI) tries to get into the act concerning the sale of Polbank. The eighth largest bank in Poland is currently owned by EFG Euro Bank, which is offering its Polish interest for sale.

November 3, 2010

Contract for Kapsch TrafficCom in Poland

The consortium led by Kapsch came out as the best bidder for the implementation of a toll system on Polish motorways. The contract has been signed now.

November 3, 2010

Real Estate Sales: Tax Evasion is Probably Tilted

So far, the property transfer tax has been avoided by a relatively simple construct. The Finance Senate wants to close this legal gap now.

November 3, 2010

Protectionism in Favor of Casinos Austria and Novomatic?

The licenses for lotteries and casinos after 2011 are already reserved for Novomatic and Casinos Austria, is the allegation.

November 3, 2010

IHS Boss Felderer Pleads for Railway Tunnel

The debate about the controversial Koralm tunnel is being enriched. IHS (Institute for Advanced Studies) boss Felderer argues strongly for the infrastructure measure.

November 3, 2010

Change of Leadership at Bewag?

According to reports, there are plans for a premature replacement of the board at the power company from Burgenland.

November 3, 2010

Vienna Stock Exchange: Winners and Losers of Today (2010-11-02)

Daily News-Flash from the Vienna Stock Exchange.

November 2, 2010

Hypo-Group Changes Board of Austrian Subsidiary

Hypo Alpe Adria makes new appointments to the Executive Board of the Austrian banking subsidiary Hypo Alpe-Adria-Bank AG.

November 2, 2010

Lauda is Evaluating whether to Move From Vienna

The owner and CEO of the Austrian low-cost airline Flyniki is considering a withdrawal from Austria. He is very upset over the tax on airline tickets to be implemented on January 1, 2001.

November 2, 2010

Arbeiterkammer: Labor Force in Austria Remains Highly Profitable

The representatives of the interests of workers and employees raise criticism on the extents of wage and salary increases with a self-created study. The argument of the companies about the need to build up reserves is incorrect.

November 2, 2010

Strabag CEO Haselsteiner: Koralmtunnel Has To Be Built

Haselsteiner reacts sharply to criticism of the construction of the Koralm tunnel. He sees the infrastructure measure as economically sensible.

November 2, 2010

Hypo Proceedings: New Revelations

Both sensitive data and risk and control instruments were handled negligently.

November 2, 2010

A-Tec: Financing Only Secured Until January

The plan of the creditors' committee was rejected. The Banks are consulting with each other for the financing of the ailing A-Tec group, after which the creditors’ committee will present a new proposal to the credit institutions.

November 2, 2010

Energy Prices Rise Steeply

An increase of 6.7% was recorded for energy prices in the yearly comparison. The relevance of alternative energy sources will increase significantly in future, as energy price increases are expected to continue in the long term.

November 2, 2010

Identification Required for Savings Account Withdrawals

Since November 1, the implementation of the EU directive on anti-money laundering is in force. Customers therefore need not only a password, but also identification for a savings account withdrawal.

November 2, 2010

Too Few New Companies?

Austria comes out of the international comparison poorly in terms of start-up companies. The major problem is the lack of venture capital, according to the studies.

November 2, 2010

Unemployment: Sharp Decline in October

Compared with the previous year, unemployment was reduced by 8%. The decline is attributed primarily to an increase in the demand for temporary workers.

November 2, 2010

Andritz Acquires RITZ Pumpenfabrik, Germany

International technology Group ANDRITZ has signed a contract to acquire the German company RITZ

November 2, 2010

A-Tec: Banks Working on Counter-Proposal

After the fruitless negotiations, the banks plan to draw up a counterproposal. In addition, a British investor is showing interest in joining.

October 30, 2010

New Retail Project in Constanta for Immofinanz

A new center located in Constanta, Romania, offering international tenants business opportunities in 130 retail units, will be opened in 2011.

October 30, 2010

Volksbank: Greater Efficiency by Downsizing

The Austrian Volksbank AG (ÖVAG) has not been able to reach a cooperation with other domestic banks. The deal with the BAWAG failed. Now, the Volksbank is looking for alternatives.

October 30, 2010

Erste Group Posts Net Profit of EUR 737 Million

Net profit rose by 2.3% to EUR 736.8 million in the first nine months of 2010. The cost/income ratio improved to 48.7%, from 50.9% in the first three quarters of 2009.

October 29, 2010

ÖBB: Alleged Corruption

An internal document about a meeting of the ÖBB Supervisory Board in 2008 has now appeared. Bribes are openly talked about.

October 29, 2010

Hypo Group: Serious Allegations Against Kulterer

The former airline “Styrian Spirit" is said to have been financed without collateral, according to expert opinion. Kulterer defends himself and points to guarantee commitments by Jörg Haider.

October 29, 2010

RHI: New Boss Wants to Double Profits by 2015

RHI pursues ambitious growth plans. Higher sales and profits are to be generated mainly through expansion in emerging markets.

October 29, 2010

Kovats in Distress: Rescue Package Must Stand Firm by Monday

The coming days are of utmost relevance for Mirko Kovats’s insolvent A-Tec Group. The rescue package must be ready by Monday.

October 29, 2010

Wienerberger Plans Full Takeover of Semmelrock International

The purchase of the remaining 25% stake in Semmelrock International has been announced today. Wienerberger regards the acquisition as a “logical step”.

October 29, 2010

AUA Flights to Russia Secured

While the problem of AUA landing rights in Russia has been solved for Lufthansa until March, Austria is being accused of breach of contract by the European Commission.

October 29, 2010