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Last refreshed: 06/06/2026 15:39 · 51 articles added
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Economy

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Economy

Slovak Businesses Face Return of Chain Payment Defaults as Government Stalls on Economic Measures

Slovak businesses are once again struggling with chain payment defaults, a problem where companies fail to pay suppliers who then cannot pay their own creditors, creating cascading financial difficulties throughout the economy. Prime Minister Robert Fico's government coalition spent last week attempting to agree on pro-growth measures designed to stimulate the economy and help businesses, but the efforts have stalled. Despite being in mid-May, government representatives say party experts are still evaluating 90 budget-neutral proposals, while measures requiring additional spending remain unaddressed. The return of payment chain problems signals renewed economic stress for Slovak companies, coming as the government appears unable to deliver on promised economic support measures.

Dennik N
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Economy

Diesel Fuel Becomes Cheaper Than Gasoline in Germany for First Time Since Early March

Diesel fuel prices in Germany have fallen below gasoline prices for the first time since early March, marking a significant shift in the country's fuel market. The price reversal reflects broader market reactions to ongoing developments in the Middle East, where geopolitical tensions continue to influence global energy markets. This pricing change represents a notable departure from recent months when diesel had been trading at a premium to gasoline across European markets.

SME
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Economy

DPD Reveals Customer Delivery Preferences Between Home and Pickup Points

Courier company DPD has disclosed insights into Slovak customer delivery preferences, showing how consumers choose between home delivery and alternative pickup options. The company operates 3,690 pickup points across Slovakia where customers can collect packages instead of having them delivered directly to their addresses. Online shoppers using DPD services can select from this extensive network of pickup locations as an alternative to traditional home delivery, reflecting changing consumer preferences in e-commerce logistics.

TASR/Teraz
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Economy

Population Aging to Transform Slovakia's Housing Market, Experts Warn

Slovakia's aging population will fundamentally reshape the country's housing market, challenging the long-held belief that real estate values consistently rise over time. Demographic shifts are expected to create stark regional differences, with some areas experiencing continued price growth while others see property values decline faster than mortgage payments can cover them. The transformation will likely favor large cities with smaller apartments while leaving more empty houses in less desirable locations, as the population structure changes and housing demand patterns shift across different regions of the country.

Dennik N
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Economy

Cars are most expensive purchases for majority of Slovaks after housing

Cars represent the most expensive purchase for the majority of Slovak citizens after housing costs, according to new data. Electronics emerged as the next most common category for significant household expenditures. The findings highlight spending patterns among Slovak consumers, where transportation costs constitute a major financial commitment for families following their primary housing expenses.

SME
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Economy

Japanese Steel Giant Nippon Steel to Acquire Košice Steelworks from U.S. Steel

Nippon Steel, Japan's largest steelmaker, will acquire the U.S. Steel Košice steelworks in Slovakia's second-largest city. The transaction allows U.S. Steel to concentrate on the American market while the Japanese company gains control of one of Europe's major steel production facilities. Nippon Steel has committed to implementing advanced technologies, pursuing decarbonization initiatives, and strengthening the facility's profitability. The Košice steelworks represents a significant industrial asset in eastern Slovakia and employs thousands of workers in the region. The acquisition reflects broader consolidation trends in the global steel industry as companies seek to optimize their geographic footprint and invest in cleaner production technologies.

Aktuality
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Economy

Slovakia's Gabčíkovo Hydroelectric Plant Marks 30 Years of Full Operation

Slovakia's Gabčíkovo Hydroelectric Plant reached full operational capacity 30 years ago, marking a milestone for the country's energy infrastructure. The facility began partial operations in October 1992 when the first of eight turbine units was activated, before the entire plant was ceremonially launched into full operation. The Gabčíkovo plant, located on the Danube River near the Hungarian border, represents one of Slovakia's most significant hydroelectric installations and has been a cornerstone of the country's renewable energy generation for three decades.

TASR/Teraz
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Economy

Wall Street Investment Managers Report 120% Returns and Post-Buffett Surprises in Latest Portfolio Moves

Top Wall Street investment managers have reported significant portfolio gains over the past three months, with some achieving returns as high as 120 percent. The latest filings reveal strategic shifts among prominent fund managers, including unexpected moves following Warren Buffett's recent investment decisions. Investment professionals have been targeting quality companies trading at discounted prices during recent market volatility, while also returning to previously controversial sectors that had fallen out of favor. These portfolio adjustments reflect broader trends in institutional investing as managers seek opportunities amid changing market conditions and economic uncertainty.

SME
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Economy

Cash Still Dominates at Bratislava's Miletičova Market Despite Digital Payment Push

Digital payments remain rare at Miletičova Market, one of Bratislava's major food markets, where cash transactions continue to dominate daily commerce. While some vendors have begun accepting card payments and bank transfers - with transactions taking approximately two minutes to complete - payment terminals are still the exception rather than the rule. The persistence of cash-based trading at the popular market reflects broader patterns in Slovakia's traditional retail sectors, where digital payment adoption has been slower compared to larger retail establishments.

SME
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Economy

Apartment Building Construction Faces Land Acquisition Hurdles

Construction of an apartment building project has encountered obstacles related to land acquisition needed for continued development work. What was expected to be a routine administrative process for the investor to secure additional property has become complicated, creating delays for the residential development project.

Korzár
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Economy

Stellantis and Dongfeng Agree to Joint Electric Vehicle Production in China

European automaker Stellantis has reached an agreement with Chinese manufacturer Dongfeng to establish a joint venture for electric vehicle production. Starting in 2027, the partnership will produce two new Peugeot models and two Jeep sport utility vehicles powered by alternative energy sources at Dongfeng's manufacturing facility in Wuhan, China. The collaboration represents Stellantis's strategy to expand its electric vehicle presence in the world's largest automotive market through local partnerships with established Chinese manufacturers.

TASR/Teraz
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Economy

Oil Prices Rise Over 3% at Week's End, Up About 10% for the Week

Oil prices surged more than three percent at the end of the week, posting gains of approximately ten percent over the entire week. The significant price increases were largely driven by statements from US President-elect Donald Trump and Iran's Foreign Minister. Trump's comments and the Iranian official's remarks heightened market concerns about potential disruptions to global oil supplies, pushing crude prices sharply higher as traders responded to escalating geopolitical tensions in key oil-producing regions.

SME
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Economy

Oil Prices Rise Over Three Percent on Trump and Iranian Foreign Minister Statements

Oil prices surged by more than three percent at the end of the week, climbing approximately ten percent over the entire week. The significant price increases were largely driven by statements from former U.S. President Donald Trump and Iran's Foreign Minister. The comments from both figures appear to have heightened market concerns about potential geopolitical tensions affecting global oil supply, prompting traders to bid up crude prices amid uncertainty about future production and export flows.

SME
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Economy

German Corporate Profits Rise Despite Revenue Decline in Third Quarter

German companies reported increased profits in the third quarter despite falling revenues, according to consulting firm EY. Banks and insurance companies led the gains with operating profits rising 15.9 percent, while industrial firms managed only modest growth of 0.5 percent. The mixed results reflect the uneven performance across Germany's economy, with financial services significantly outpacing manufacturing and other industrial sectors during the period.

TASR/Teraz
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Economy

Africa's Dangote Refinery Emerges as Potential Competitor and Lifeline for European Airlines

Africa's massive Dangote refinery is positioning itself as both a future competitor to European refineries and a potential lifeline for European airlines seeking alternative fuel sources. The facility represents a significant development in the global energy market that could reshape aviation fuel supply chains and create new competitive dynamics between African and European energy sectors.

SME
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Economy

Workplace Cleanliness Reveals Company Culture, Says Czech Cleaning Firm Executive

The way employees clean up after themselves in office kitchens and bathrooms serves as the most honest indicator of a company's culture, according to Filip Mikuláš, director of Kliro, a cleaning company that employs approximately 200 cleaners in the Czech Republic. Mikuláš advises job seekers to observe these details during interviews as a gauge of workplace standards. He also suggests that workplace relationships can be assessed by whether employees greet the cleaning staff, viewing this basic courtesy as a reflection of the company's values and interpersonal dynamics.

Dennik N
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Economy

Slovak Companies Unprepared for Mandatory Pay Transparency Rules, Expert Warns

Slovak employers must implement objective and gender-neutral compensation systems by July 31, according to new transparency requirements. However, an expert warns that companies are not adequately prepared for these mandatory changes to their pay structures. The deadline represents a significant shift toward greater salary transparency in Slovak workplaces, requiring businesses to establish clear, non-discriminatory criteria for employee compensation. The new rules are part of broader efforts to address pay equity issues in the Slovak labor market.

TASR/Teraz
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Economy

Slovakia's Used Car Market Declines 14 Percent Year-on-Year

Slovakia's used car market has slowed significantly this year, with sales dropping 14 percent compared to the same period last year. Slovaks are purchasing fewer vehicles in 2024, reflecting broader economic pressures affecting consumer spending. The decline marks a notable shift in the automotive sector, which has traditionally been a key component of Slovakia's economy given the country's role as a major car manufacturing hub in Central Europe.

SME
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Economy

Slovak Restaurant Owner Faces Bankruptcy After Solar Panel Investment Hits Bureaucratic Hurdles

A 77-year-old businessman from Spišská Belá invested approximately 40,000 euros in solar panels to save his struggling restaurant by generating electricity from the sun. However, the entrepreneur now faces potential bankruptcy due to complications with government authorities, despite his significant investment in renewable energy infrastructure intended to reduce operating costs and keep his business viable.

Aktuality
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Economy

European DAX Index Falls Below Key Threshold as Inflation Fears Mount

European stocks suffered significant losses on Friday as the DAX index dropped below a critical level, ending a period of recent market gains. The downturn was driven by a combination of rising inflation concerns and geopolitical tensions that sharply deteriorated investor sentiment across European markets. The sell-off marked a sobering reversal from the optimistic trading that had characterized recent sessions, with investors growing increasingly cautious about economic prospects amid persistent inflationary pressures and ongoing international uncertainties.

Aktuality
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