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☆ Germany Hits 2% NATO Target for First Time Since 1992, Reports Dpa
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

The German government is allocating the equivalent of $73.41 billion for defence spending in the current year, dpa reported. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had this week stated that Germany would meet the NATO target, but the government has not divulged precise figures so far. NATO defence ministers are due to meet in Brussels on Thursday. A separate meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, hosted by the United States, takes place on Wednesday. Scholz's government has spotlighted its rising defence spending at an uncertain time for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Donald Trump, Boris Pistorius, Trump, Pistorius, Trump's, Alex Ratz, Matthias Williams, Miranda Murray, Ros Russell Organizations: BERLIN, NATO, dpa, Ukraine Defence Contact, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Former, WELT, German, America Locations: Germany, Ukraine, Brussels, United States

☆ Lufthansa Strike Hits Air Travel as German Disruption Mounts
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN (Reuters) - Ground staff at German airline Lufthansa walked out at major airports on Wednesday, raising the pressure in wage talks and piling misery on travellers in Europe's biggest economy already hit by strikes on railways and public transport. The Verdi union has targeted the Frankfurt and Munich airports, where Lufthansa says only 10%-20% of flights will operate, as well as Berlin, Hamburg and Duesseldorf. Verdi wants a wage rise of 12.5% for some 25,000 workers, or at least 500 euros ($537.00) more per month over a 12-month-period, plus a one-time payment of 3,000 euros to offset inflation. A wave of nationwide industrial action in the last few weeks has hit air travel, railways and public transport, inflicting pain on the economy and fuelling discontent with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's awkward three-way coalition. ($1 = 0.9311 euros)(Writing by Madeline Chambers; Editing by Miranda Murray)

Persons: Verdi, Duesseldorf, Olaf Scholz's, Madeline Chambers, Miranda Murray Organizations: BERLIN, Lufthansa, Frankfurt Locations: Europe's, Munich, Berlin, Hamburg

☆ Richemont monitoring situation at online luxury retailer Farfetch
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of the luxury goods company Richemont is pictured at its headquarters in Bellevue near Geneva, Switzerland, June 2, 2022. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse Acquire Licensing RightsZURICH, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Cartier-jewellery owner Richemont (CFR.S) on Wednesday said it was "carefully monitoring" the situation after Farfetch's FTCH.N founder said he was considering taking the online luxury retailer private. Richemont, which also owns several Swiss watch brands, said it has no financial obligation to Farfetch and does not envisage lending or investing into the company. "Richemont is carefully monitoring the situation, including reviewing its options in respect of its arrangements with Farfetch, announced on 24 August 2022, which remain subject to certain terms and outstanding conditions," the company said. Richemont's brands, which also include watchmakers IWC and Jaeger-LeCoultre, have been working on transferring their online businesses to Farfetch's technology.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Farfetch's FTCH.N, Farfetch, Richemont, Porter, John Revill, Miranda Murray Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Cartier, watchmakers IWC, Jaeger, Thomson Locations: Bellevue, Geneva, Switzerland, U.S, YNAP, Farfetch

The inflation rate fell to 2.3% in November. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected inflation to ease to 2.6%. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, fell to 3.8% in November from 4.3% the previous month. "But the inflation rate will fall to below 3% as early as the beginning of next year," Wollmershaeuser said. Economists pay close attention to German inflation data, as Germany publishes its figures one day before the euro zone inflation data release.

Persons: Fabian Bimmer, Timo Wollmershaeuser, Wollmershaeuser, Commerzbank's, Ralph Solveen, Solveen, Bert Colijn, Colijn, Miranda Murray, Maria Martinez, Linda Pasquini, Sharon Singleton, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Union, European Central Bank, Thomson Locations: Hamburg, Germany, Spanish

☆ Bitcoin Group: taking steps against money-laundering, terrorist financing
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Bitcoin coins are seen at a stand during the Bitcoin Conference 2023, in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., May 19, 2023. REUTERS/Marco Bello/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBERLIN, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Germany's Bitcoin Group (ADE.DE) said on Wednesday it was taking measures to improve its internal control system, after the financial regulator BaFin ordered its subsidiary futurum bank to remedy shortcomings on money-laundering and terrorist financing. "The Bitcoin Group expressly points out that there are currently no indications of violations of money laundering and terrorist financing laws within the Group," the company said in a statement. On Tuesday, BaFin identified "severe deficits" at futurum bank involving its internal security measures, its fulfillment of due diligence obligations and its system for reporting suspicious activity. "We are actively working with BaFin to quickly address the criticized weaknesses in our internal processes, which have not kept pace with the company's growth in recent years," Bitcoin Group Chief Executive Marco Bodewein said in the statement.

Persons: Marco Bello, BaFin, Marco Bodewein, Rachel More, Madeline Chambers, Miranda Murray Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Miami Beach , Florida, U.S, futurum

☆ Novartis lifts sales growth target to 5% per year through 2027
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Ludwig Burger | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of Swiss drugmaker Novartis is pictured at the company's French headquarters in Rueil-Malmaison near Paris, France, April 22, 2020. REUTERS/Charles Platiau/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Novartis AG FollowSandoz GmbH FollowFRANKFURT, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Novartis (NOVN.S) has dialled up its sales growth target to 5% per year until 2027, citing demand for innovative drugs after it sold off its generic-drugs business. The medium-term target, which excludes any foreign exchange effects, is mainly driven by six drugs, led by Kisqali, it said in a presentation on Tuesday. The sales forecast, up from a previous revenue growth target of 4% through 2027, is also underpinned by demand for Pluvicto, a precision radiotherapy against prostate cancer, and self-administered multiple sclerosis (MS) shot Kesimpta. Reporting by Ludwig Burger; Editing by Miranda Murray and Miral FahmyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Charles Platiau, Kisqali, Vas, Kesimpta, drugmaker, Sandoz, Ludwig Burger, Miranda Murray, Miral Organizations: Swiss, Novartis, REUTERS, Companies Novartis, Sandoz, FRANKFURT, Thomson Locations: Rueil, Malmaison, Paris, France, Basel, Swiss

Speaking to parliament, Scholz went into Germany's recent history of the COVID pandemic, the war in Ukraine and soaring energy prices to extend a suspension of self-imposed borrowing limits to tackle a crisis that has knocked his coalition. A constitutional court ruling nearly two weeks ago blocked the government's plans to reallocate unused pandemic funds towards green initiatives and industry support, raising fears Germany's economy could be further weakened. Scholz's assurances that his government would solve the budget crisis with care were met with jeers and laughter from the opposition Christian Democrats (CDU), whose lawsuit against the government had sparked the earlier court ruling. He underscored support for Ukraine, after the recent budget turmoil raised questions over how much military aid Berlin was willing to commit. "It is also clear that we must not let up in our support for Ukraine and in overcoming the energy crisis.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Christian Lindner, Robert Habeck, Friedrich Merz, Scholz, Germany's, Berlin, Scholz's, " Merz, Andreas Rinke, Christian Kraemer, Miranda Murray, Rachel More, Matthias Williams, Kirsti Knolle, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Climate, Christian Democratic Union, CDU, Bundestag, Christian Democrats, Ukraine, Finance, Thomson Locations: BERLIN, Ukraine, Germany, East Germany

☆ German authorities urge people to stay home amid deadly winter weather
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] People walk at the park after snowfall on the grounds of the Charlottenburg Castle in Berlin, Germany, November 28, 2023. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch Acquire Licensing RightsNov 28 (Reuters) - Authorities in western Germany on Tuesday urged residents to stay home, warning of life-threatening danger, after a burst of winter weather led to hazardous roads, leaving two people dead. The sudden onset of winter led to several accidents and people being trapped in their vehicles due to slippery roads and fallen branches caused by snowfall in many parts of Germany. In Rheingau-Taunus district in the west of Hesse, 100 people were evacuated from their vehicles near Eltville-Martinsthal, while 70 people were trapped on the road near Linienbad. The German Meteorological Service (DWD) forecasts snow and sleet again in many federal states today, adding that the weather will persist in the coming days.

Persons: Fabrizio Bensch, Amir Orusov, Miranda Murray Organizations: REUTERS, Schwaebisch, German Meteorological Service, Thomson Locations: Charlottenburg, Berlin, Germany, Baden, Aalen, Denzerheide, Rhineland, Palatinate, Hesse, Eltville, Linienbad

☆ Italy's Eni wins in arbitration case against Uniper -sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] The logo of Italian energy company Eni is seen at a gas station in Rome, Italy September 30, 2018. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON/MILAN/FRANKFURT, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Eni has won a $600-million award after an arbitration court decided in the Italian firm's favour and against Germany's Uniper in a row over a liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply contract, three trading sources said. The 2017 annual report by the International Group of LNG Importers (GIIGNL) showed a 15-year contract under which Eni supplied Uniper with 0.65 million tonnes of LNG per annum between 2007 and 2022. Eni was not immediately available for comment. ($1 = 0.9168 euros)Reporting by Marwa Rashad, Francesca Landini and Christoph Steitz Editing by Miranda MurrayOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Alessandro Bianchi, Germany's, Uniper, Eni, Marwa Rashad, Francesca Landini, Christoph Steitz, Miranda Murray Organizations: Eni, REUTERS, Sunday, International Chamber of Commerce, E.ON, International Group, Thomson Locations: Rome, Italy, MILAN, FRANKFURT

☆ Volkswagen to reduce headcount at 'no longer competitive' VW brand
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Volkswagen logo is seen during the New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., April 5, 2023. "With many of our pre-existing structures, processes and high costs, we are no longer competitive as the Volkswagen brand," Schaefer told a staff meeting at the carmaker's headquarters in Wolfsburg, according to a post on the company's intranet site and seen by Reuters. The company had previously said it planned to take advantage of the "demographic curve" to reduce its workforce, having pledged that it would not carry out dismissals until 2029. In Monday's meeting, human resources board member Gunnar Kilian said this would be achieved through agreements on partial or early retirement. ($1 = 0.9168 euros)Reporting by Victoria Waldersee Writing by Matthias Williams Editing by Miranda Murray and David GoodmanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Thomas Schaefer, Schaefer, Gunnar Kilian, Kilian, Victoria Waldersee, Matthias Williams, Miranda Murray, David Goodman Organizations: New York, REUTERS, BERLIN, VW, Volkswagen, Reuters, Victoria, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Wolfsburg

View of the construction site of the Elbtower building, owned by Rene Benko’s Signa and a Commerzbank subsidiary, in Hamburg Germany, November 2, 2023. On Friday, Signa Real Estate Management filed for insolvency in a local court in Berlin, according to a court filing. The real estate sector was a bedrock of Germany's economy for years, accounting for roughly a fifth of output and one in 10 jobs. Now a sharp rise in rates has put an end to the run, tipping some developers into insolvency as deals freeze and prices fall. Weakness in commercial real estate in the United States as offices remain empty after the pandemic and the struggles of major property developers in China have focused global attention on the sector.

Persons: Rene Benko’s Signa, Fabian Bimmer, Signa, Elliott, Rene Benko, Switzerland's Julius Baer, Hannes Moesenbacher, Matthias Inverardi, John O'Donnell, Miranda Murray, Sharon Singleton, Mark Potter Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Elliott Investment Management, Chrysler, Estate Management, Austria's Raiffeisen Bank, Thomson Locations: Hamburg Germany, Austrian, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Berlin, Bavaria, Hesse, Hamburg, Europe's, United States, China

The court ruling has called into question Germany's traditionally strict fiscal policy and sparked warnings that German companies could be starved of support to keep them globally competitive. HANDS TIEDThe crisis has sparked calls for reforming the debt brake. "With the debt brake as it is, we have voluntarily tied our hands behind our backs and are going into a boxing match," he said. A poll by broadcaster ZDF suggested only a minority of Germans supported suspending the debt brake. Some 57% wanted the budget shortfall from the court ruling to be covered by spending cuts, 11% favoured tax increases and 23% wanted the state to take on additional debt.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Robert Habeck, Christian Lindner, Scholz, Lindner, Habeck, Steffen Hebestreit, Holger Hansen, Christian Kraemer, Miranda Murray, Rene Wagner, Matthias Williams, Toby Chopra, Gareth Jones, Deepa Babington Organizations: Climate, Finance, BERLIN, Greens, Social Democrats, Free Democrats, FDP, ZDF, Thomson Locations: Germany, Europe's, East Germany, China

Lindner plans to lift self-imposed limits on borrowing and present a supplementary budget next week after a constitutional court ruling wiped billions from the federal budget and forced the government to freeze most new spending commitments. HANDS TIED IN A BOXING MATCHThe crisis has sparked calls for reforming the debt brake. "With the debt brake as it is, we have voluntarily tied our hands behind our backs and are going into a boxing match. A poll by the broadcaster ZDF suggested only a minority of Germans, 35%, supported suspending the debt brake however, compared to 61% wanting it to stay in place. Some 57% wanted the budget shortfall from the court ruling to be covered by spending cuts, 11% favoured tax increases and 23% wanted the state to take on additional debt.

Persons: Christian Lindner, Lindner, hawkish Lindner, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's, Robert Habeck, Habeck, Thomas Gitzel, Holger Hansen, Christian Kraemer, Miranda Murray, Rene Wagner, Matthias Williams, Toby Chopra Organizations: BERLIN, German Finance, Greens, ZDF, Bank, Thomson Locations: Germany, China, Europe

☆ Germany's economy shrinks slightly in third quarter
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBERLIN, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Germany's economy shrank slightly in the third quarter compared with the previous three months, data from its statistics office showed on Friday. The figure confirmed an initial estimate, published in late October, that saw Europe's largest economy shrink by 0.1%. In the second quarter, Germany's economy had grown by 0.1% after stagnating in the first three months of the year. Private consumer spending, which accounts for about two-thirds of GDP, was 0.3% lower than in the previous quarter, the statistics office said. The Bundesbank said in its monthly economic report on Monday that the German economy will likely shrink again in the fourth quarter and show signs of slight improvement early next year.

Persons: Kai Pfaffenbach, Ruth Brand, Thomas Gitzel, Miranda Murray, Linda Pasquini, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Bank, Thomson Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, Europe

The court ruling has called into question Germany's traditionally strict fiscal policy and sparked warnings that German companies could be starved of support to keep them globally competitive. The debt brake, introduced after the global financial crisis of 2008/09, was first suspended in 2020 to help the government support firms and health systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. HANDS TIEDThe crisis has sparked calls for reforming the debt brake. "With the debt brake as it is, we have voluntarily tied our hands behind our backs and are going into a boxing match," he said. A poll by broadcaster ZDF suggested only a minority of Germans supported suspending the debt brake.

Persons: Christian Lindner, Fabrizio Bensch, Scholz, Olaf Scholz, Lindner, Robert Habeck, Habeck, Steffen Hebestreit, Holger Hansen, Christian Kraemer, Miranda Murray, Rene Wagner, Matthias Williams, Toby Chopra, Gareth Jones Organizations: REUTERS, BERLIN, Finance, Greens, ZDF, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, Europe's, East Germany, China

☆ German budget hole puts industry at risk, steel sector warns
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Christoph Steitz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Steel coils are waiting for delivery at the storage and distribution facility of German steel maker ThyssenKrupp in Duisburg, Germany, November 16, 2023. Bernhard Osburg, president of the German steel association and CEO of Thyssenkrupp's (TKAG.DE) steel division, the country's top steelmaker, told reporters that it was vital for Germany to protect its future competitiveness. His comments highlight major uncertainty within Germany's industrial firms, which are already struggling with local economic conditions and are increasingly looking to alternative, more favourable, markets, such as the United States. So he called on Berlin to hold a summit soon with German industry leaders to provide answers on how these investments could be protected, warning of an "utmost pressure to act". Germany's steel sector, which apart from Thyssenkrupp also includes Salzgitter (SZGG.DE), directly employs around 80,000, while around 4 million jobs indirectly depend on it.

Persons: Wolfgang Rattay, Bernhard Osburg, Osburg, Berlin, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's, Christoph Steitz, Miranda Murray Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Duisburg, Germany, Berlin, FRANKFURT, United States, decarbonisation, Thyssenkrupp

☆ German union Verdi calls for strikes at Amazon on Black Friday
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of Amazon is seen at the company logistics center in Lauwin-Planque, northern France, January 5, 2023. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 23 (Reuters) - German trade union Verdi has called on members to go on strike at five Amazon (AMZN.O) distribution centres across Germany on Black Friday, it said in a statement on Thursday. Strong demand thanks to bargains on Black Friday mean the day is usually one of the most profitable for online retailers like Amazon. "Amazon employees have decided to rename Black Friday 'Make Amazon Pay Day'", said Silke Zimmer, the member for retail on Verdi's governing board. "It's not for nothing that half of our colleagues have been with us for over five years," the Amazon spokesperson said.

Persons: Pascal, Verdi, Silke Zimmer, Matthias Inverardi, Louis van Boxel, Woolf, Emma, Victoria Farr, Miranda Murray, Daniel Wallis Organizations: REUTERS, Amazon, Bad, Thomson Locations: Lauwin, France, Germany, Koblenz, Leipzig, Rheinberg, Dortmund, U.S

☆ German defence contractor Hensoldt sees investment opportunities in AI
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A logo of defense supplier Hensoldt AG is pictured during Hensoldt's initial public offering (IPO) at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in Frankfurt, Germany, September 25, 2020. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 22 (Reuters) - Hensoldt (HAGG.DE) sees artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics as an area with investment opportunity, the German defence electronics maker said at its Capital Markets Day. "Investment opportunities arise, for example, in the areas of artificial intelligence and analytics as well as in the services and integration business," it said in a statement. According to slides from Hensoldt's Capital Markets Day presentation, the company plans to invest in AI development "across all business for all relevant products and solutions". Last week, Hensoldt announced plans for a capital increase to finance the acquisition of German military service firm ESG.

Persons: Ralph Orlowski, Thomas Mueller, Hensoldt, Andrey Sychev, Alexander Huebner, Miranda Murray Organizations: Hensoldt, Frankfurt Stock Exchange, REUTERS, IRIS, Hensoldt's, Markets, Thomson Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, Ukraine

Their options include drawing up a supplementary budget for 2023 and suspending Germany's self-imposed debt brake before reinstating it for next year. "Our goal is to discuss the budget quickly but with due care," said a joint statement of ruling party lawmakers. The delay has heightened uncertainty about spending in all areas of the German economy and meant the 2024 budget might not be concluded before the end of the year. "I firmly assume that the commitments for Intel and TSMC will remain," a government source said, adding: "This is very important to the chancellor, as well as to the economy minister." This will happen in the course of next early 2024 and we will see how far hydrogen is available," CEO Miguel Lopez said.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Christian Lindner, Robert Habeck, Olaf Scholz's, Scholz's, Siegfried Russwurm, TSMC, Scholz, Miguel Lopez, Holger Hansen, Christian Kraemer, Victoria Waldersee, Andreas Rinke, Madeline Chambers, Matthias Williams, Miranda Murray, Alex Richardson, Christina Fincher Organizations: Finance, Climate, Government, Ukraine Industry, Intel, TSMC, Wednesday, Social Democrat, Greens, Free Democrats, Fund, Eurasia Group, U.S, BMW, Volkswagen, Thomson Locations: TSMC BERLIN, Germany's, Ukraine, EU, Saxony, Anhalt, Berlin, Germany

☆ Pressure mounts on German government to find way out of budget hole
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Holger Hansen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The court ruled the budget manoeuvre was incompatible with the debt restrictions enshrined in Germany's constitution. The pressure is even more intense as talks for next year's budget are on the final stretch. Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the government has already imposed a freeze on most new spending commitments on ministries. "German industry is looking at the current political situation with the greatest concern," said Siegfried Russwurm, president of the BDI industry association. One obstacle to reforming the debt brake, which restricts Germany's structural budget deficit to the equivalent of 0.35% of gross domestic product, has been Finance Minister Christian Lindner.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Christian Lindner, Robert Habeck, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's, Siegfried Russwurm, Holger Hansen, Christian Kraemer, Andreas Rinke, Madeline Chambers, Miranda Murray, Alex Richardson Organizations: Finance, Climate, Europe's, Social Democrat, Greens, Free Democrats, Fund, Reuters, Ukraine, Greens Economy, U.S, Intel, European, Thomson Locations: BERLIN, reallocating, Berlin, Ukraine

Steel coils are waiting for delivery at the storage and distribution facility of German steel maker ThyssenKrupp in Duisburg, Germany, November 16, 2023. As a result of the impairment, Thyssenkrupp, which has been trying to divest its steel division for several years, posted a 2-billion-euro net loss for the fourth quarter. Shares of the company, which proposed a stable dividend of 0.15 euros apiece, were indicated to open 1.8% lower in pre-market trade. Thyssenkrupp - which apart from steel builds submarines, car parts and operates a large materials trading business - said it was in constructive and open-ended talks with EPH about a potential steel joint venture. EPH, controlled by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, would support Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe with its energy expertise in any joint venture, the company said.

Persons: Wolfgang Rattay, Miguel Lopez, Daniel Kretinsky, Thyssenkrupp, Christoph Steitz, Tom Kaeckenhoff, Sandra Maler, Miranda Murray, Sherry Jacob, Phillips Organizations: REUTERS, Wednesday, EPH, Thyssenkrupp Steel, Thomson Locations: Duisburg, Germany, FRANKFURT, DUESSELDORF, Czech, Europe

☆ Austria's RBI: realized extra 150 mln euros of property sector risk provisions
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) is seen at its headquarters in Vienna, Austria, March 14, 2023. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsVIENNA, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) (RBIV.VI) has realized additional forward-looking risk provisions of around 150 million euros ($163 million) for the real estate sector, the Austrian bank's risk chief, Hannes Moesenbacher, said on Tuesday. Chief Executive Johann Strobl added that these provisions are "on top" and therefore go beyond what can be modelled. "In total, our top five commitments in the real estate sector amount to 2.2 billion euros," said Moesenbacher, who added that number one position amounted to 755 million euros. At its general meeting in March, RBI had decided not to distribute a dividend for the time being due to uncertainties.

Persons: Leonhard Foeger, Hannes Moesenbacher, Johann Strobl, Moesenbacher, Rene Benko, Strobl, Alexandra Schwarz, Miranda Murray, David Evans Organizations: Raiffeisen Bank, REUTERS, Rights, Signa Group, RBI, Thomson Locations: Vienna, Austria, Austrian, Russia

Miniatures of windmill and electric pole are seen in front of Siemens Gamesa logo in this illustration taken January 17, 2023. One Frankfurt-based trader said the investor event, where Siemens Gamesa disclosed around 400 million euros in cost cuts by 2026, was bringing "no new insights". At 1610 GMT, shares in Siemens Energy, in which Siemens AG (SIEGn.DE) owns a direct 25.1% stake, were still down 6.3%. Siemens Gamesa will likely cut onshore turbine capacity outside Europe and outsource the production of some components, the division's Chief Executive Jochen Eickholt said, outlining the group's restructuring roadmap. Reuters last month reported that Siemens Gamesa was considering shutting plants and sales offices as well as outsourcing some production.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Siemens Gamesa, Christian Bruch, Jochen Eickholt, Eickholt, Christoph Steitz, Tom Kaeckenhoff, Danilo Masoni, Madeline Chambers, Miranda Murray, David Evans Organizations: Siemens, REUTERS, Siemens Energy, Siemens Gamesa, Siemens AG, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Europe, FRANKFURT, DUESSELDORF, Frankfurt

The government is considering whether to suspend Germany's constitutionally enshrined debt brake as a way out of the spending crunch, a source told Reuters, while a leading member of Scholz's own party also called for such a move. Habeck said he was not proposing to abolish Germany's constitutionally enshrined debt brake, but added that "it is inflexible". We are now being forced to modernize the economy with fewer public subsidies," he told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper. "Rather, it is the unsound and unconstitutional budget policy of the federal government and the (three-way) coalition. "One possibility could be to suspend the debt brake in 2023 ... but then not in 2024.

Persons: Robert Habeck, Minister Christian Lindner, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's, Germany's, Lindner, Habeck, Sebastian Brehm, Markus Wacket, Christian Kraemer, Matthias Williams, Miranda Murray, Ed Osmond, Paul Simao Organizations: Minister, Reuters, Greens, Free Democrats, CDU, CSU, Thomson Locations: United States

☆ Bayer stops blood thinner drug trial due to lack of effect, in major setback
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Ludwig Burger | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Logo and flags of Bayer AG are pictured outside a plant of the German pharmaceutical and chemical maker in Wuppertal, Germany August 9, 2019. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 19 (Reuters) - Germany's Bayer (BAYGn.DE) has aborted a large late-stage trial testing a new anti-clotting drug due to lack of efficacy, dealing a fresh blow to the embattled drugmaker and throwing its most promising medium-term development project in doubt. The trial halt, which followed recommendation of independent trial supervisors, marks another setback for a company burdened by a weak herbicide business, high debt and by U.S. lawsuits over the alleged carcinogenic effect of its commonly used Roundup weedkiller. Bayer said it will further analyse the data of the discontinued trial, known as OCEANIC-AF, which was initiated in August 2022. It said the independent trial supervisors recommended the continuation of a separate phase III trial, OCEANIC-STROKE, testing asundexian to prevent repeated strokes in participants who have already suffered one.

Persons: Wolfgang Rattay, Germany's Bayer, Bill Anderson, Bayer, Stefan Oelrich, Johnson, Ludwig Burger, Jose Joseph, Miranda Murray, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Bayer AG, REUTERS, Bristol, Myers Squibb, Johnson, Thomson Locations: Wuppertal, Germany, United States, asundexian, U.S, Frankfurt, Bengaluru

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