Business & Markets
Eurozone, banking, industry and the companies doing the work of the European economy.
European Markets Edge Higher Ahead of ECB Rate Decision
European stocks opened cautiously higher on Thursday ahead of the ECB's expected rate hike. Markets anticipate a 25-basis-point increase, wi
2026 World Cup Could Boost Portugal's Economy by Nearly €1 Billion, Study Finds
Portugal could see economic benefits of up to €945 million from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to IPAM. The study highlights digital con
EU Must Secure Long-Term Fertiliser Supplies to Avert Food Shortages, Commissioner Warns
EU Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen warns that without long-term fertiliser solutions, Europe will face food shortages. He calls f
Uzbekistan's UzNIF IPO: A Test for Corporate Governance in State-Owned Enterprises
The dual listing of UzNIF in London and Tashkent raised nearly $700 million, attracting over $2.8 billion in demand. Attention now turns to
Spanish Homeownership Now Demands Over Eight Years of Full Salary
In 2025, buying an 80-square-metre second-hand home in Spain requires 8.4 years of full gross salary, up from 7.1 years in 2024. The Baleari
Spanish Homeownership Now Demands Over Eight Years of Full Salary
House prices in Spain rose 20.5% in 2025, while wages edged up just 1%. Buying a home now requires over eight years of full salary, with the
German Growth Halved as State Spending Fails to Offset Energy Shock
Germany's growth forecast has been halved to 0.5% by the DIW, as the energy price shock slows recovery. Public spending, especially on defen
Tech Stocks Slide as Oil Rises on Renewed US-Iran Hostilities
US airstrikes near the Strait of Hormuz have sent oil prices climbing and deepened a global tech sell-off. European markets are bracing for
Spain's Rental Crisis: Half of Wages Now Spent on Housing
Spaniards now spend an average of 50% of their salary on rent, up from 38% in 2019. Madrid and Catalonia top the list, with rent consuming 7
German Industrial Output Edges Up in April but Underlying Weakness Persists
German industrial production rose 0.4% in April, the first increase this year, driven by construction. However, new orders fell 3.8% and out
SpaceX IPO: How European Retail Investors Can Buy Shares and Assess Risks
SpaceX's IPO, expected on June 12, allocates up to 30% of shares to retail investors, including those in seven European countries. European
EU-US Trade Plunges 30% in Early 2026 as Tariff Impact Bites
EU goods exports to the US dropped 30% in the first quarter of 2026, the second-largest decline after Iran. The drop contributed to a 9% fal