Business & Markets
Eurozone, banking, industry and the companies doing the work of the European economy.
Shell Profits Double as Iran Conflict Drives Oil Prices Above $100
Shell more than doubled its first-quarter profits to $6.9bn as the Iran war sent oil prices above $100 a barrel. The company faces productio
Reinhold Würth: Germany's Post-War Golden Era Has Ended
Reinhold Würth, honorary chairman of the Würth Group, declares Germany's golden years from 1945 to 2026 are over. He warns of deindustrialis
Reinhold Würth Warns Germany Faces Deindustrialisation Spiral
German billionaire Reinhold Würth warns that Germany is caught in a downward spiral of deindustrialisation. He calls for a national effort t
Maersk Q1 Profit Plunges 99% as Freight Rates Weigh, Hormuz Disruption Looms
Maersk's Q1 net profit fell to $100m, down from $1.2bn a year earlier, as weaker ocean freight rates offset a 9.3% rise in volumes. The Cope
Eni's Giant Module Sets Sail from Ravenna to Boost Libya's Gas Output and Cut Flaring
Eni's subsidiary Mellitah Oil & Gas has dispatched a massive module to Libya's Bouri field to capture flared gas. The project, built by Rose
Income Tax Burdens on European Workers Vary Dramatically by Country and Family Status
Personal income tax rates for single workers range from 6.6% in Poland to 35.3% in Denmark. One-earner couples with two children face negati
EU-US Trade Talks Advance but No Final Deal as May Deadline Looms
EU Parliament and Council negotiators held late-night talks on the US trade deal but did not reach a breakthrough. A diplomatic source expec
Strait of Hormuz reopening hopes lift global stocks, oil stays above $100
Asian stocks surged to record highs on Thursday, led by Tokyo's Nikkei 225, as markets bet on a US-Iran agreement to reopen the Strait of Ho
EU Fails to Reach US Trade Deal, Risking New Tariffs from Trump
EU trade ministers failed to reach consensus on a new trade agreement with the US, leaving the bloc vulnerable to Trump's threatened 25% tar
Europe's Ultra-Rich Club Grows 26% in Five Years, Germany Leads
Europe's ultra-high-net-worth population reached 183,953 in 2026, a 26% increase from 2021. Germany leads with 38,215 UHNWIs, while Poland,
Oil Drops on US-Iran Peace Hopes as AI Boom Lifts European Stocks
Brent crude fell 1.3% to $108.47 after Trump paused a naval mission in the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress in talks with Tehran. European
Greece Caps Consumer Loan Repayments to Curb Abusive Banking Practices
The Greek government plans to cap total repayment on unsecured consumer loans and credit card debt at 30-50% above the borrowed amount. A 14