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Last refreshed: 08/06/2026 21:38 · 54 articles added
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Economy

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Economy

Investment Expert Warns S&P 500 Strategy No Longer as Profitable as Before

A financial expert is cautioning investors that investing in the S&P 500 index may no longer be the reliable strategy it once was. Benjamin Jones warns that investment approaches that generated strong returns over the past two decades are unlikely to continue delivering the same results in the current market environment. The warning reflects growing concerns among financial analysts about changing market dynamics and the need for investors to reconsider traditional investment strategies that have historically performed well.

SME
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Economy

Slovak Economics Professor Marks 250th Anniversary of Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations

A Slovak economics professor commemorated the 250th anniversary of Adam Smith's seminal work "The Wealth of Nations," which was published on March 9, 1776. The professor noted that society continues to make the same economic mistakes that the Scottish moral philosopher warned against two and a half centuries ago. Smith's nearly thousand-page treatise became known as the "economic bible" and provided detailed guidance on how a prosperous society should function, establishing him as the founder of economics as an independent academic discipline. The anniversary serves as a reminder of the enduring relevance of Smith's economic principles and the persistent nature of certain economic policy errors.

Dennik N
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Economy

Slovak Geothermal Drilling Startup GA Drilling Secures $44 Million After Near-Bankruptcy During Pandemic

GA Drilling, a Slovak startup developing technology for deep geothermal drilling, has raised over $44 million from foreign investors in recent years to bring its product to market. The company, which creates specialized drilling technology for accessing geothermal energy from deep underground sources, was once considered one of Slovakia's most promising domestic firms but nearly collapsed during the COVID-19 pandemic due to million-dollar losses and operational difficulties. The startup has since recovered and is now demonstrating its drilling technology to potential clients in practical field applications. GA Drilling's technology aims to make geothermal energy more accessible by enabling drilling to greater depths than conventional methods, potentially expanding renewable energy options in regions previously unsuitable for geothermal power generation.

Dennik N
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Economy

Slovak telecom operator SWAN continues market consolidation with acquisition of full control over two companies

Slovak telecommunications operator SWAN has acquired full control of HZM Rádiokomunikácie and CNC as part of its ongoing market consolidation strategy. The acquisitions represent the latest moves by SWAN to expand its presence in Slovakia's telecommunications sector through strategic takeovers of smaller companies. SWAN, which provides telecommunications services across Slovakia, has been pursuing a long-term consolidation approach aimed at strengthening its market position in the competitive telecom landscape.

Aktuality
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Economy

China Surpasses EU in Bilateral Automotive Imports

China has overtaken the European Union in bilateral automotive trade, marking a significant shift in global car industry dynamics. The value of European automotive exports to China, including cars and components, fell by 34 percent last year, reflecting declining European competitiveness in the Chinese market. This development highlights the changing balance of power in the global automotive sector, as Chinese manufacturers increasingly dominate their domestic market while European carmakers face mounting challenges in one of the world's largest automotive markets.

SME
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Economy

Chinese Car Exports to EU Surpass European Auto Exports to China for First Time

Chinese automobile exports to the European Union exceeded European car exports to China for the first time in 2023, marking a significant shift in the global automotive trade balance. The value of European car and auto parts exports to the Chinese market has declined by more than half since 2022, reflecting a broader transformation in the automotive industry. This trend represents a reversal of traditional trade patterns between the two major economic blocs, as Chinese automakers increasingly compete in European markets while European manufacturers face reduced access to Chinese consumers. The shift highlights China's growing automotive manufacturing capabilities and its emergence as a major exporter in the global car market, potentially reshaping competitive dynamics in the industry.

TASR/Teraz
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Economy

Slovak Snack Brand Gam's Wins Awards at Dubai Food Exhibition

Slovak company A.N.J. distribution won recognition at the Gulfood 2026 international food exhibition in Dubai, with its Gam's brand protein chips receiving the award for best snack in their category at the Gulfood Innovation Awards 2026. The company, which operates the e-shop gams-shop.sk, is expanding its production and exports to more than 40 countries following this international success. Gulfood is one of the world's largest annual food and beverage trade shows, making this recognition significant for the Slovak food manufacturer's global expansion efforts.

Aktuality
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Economy

Strategic Oil Reserves Released as IEA Recommends Reducing Travel and Speed Limits

Governments have released strategic oil reserves in response to rising crude oil prices, while the International Energy Agency has issued recommendations to protect consumers from high fuel costs. The IEA is advising countries to implement massive work-from-home policies and reduce air travel to curb oil demand. The agency also recommends lowering speed limits as part of broader measures to ease pressure on household budgets amid surging energy prices.

Aktuality
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Economy

Slovak Transport Companies Demand Tax Relief as Industry Faces Financial Crisis

Slovak transport companies are struggling financially and have called on the government to reduce taxes and fees to help the industry survive. The companies are also proposing an increase in fuel purchase limits for Slovak carriers, suggesting current restrictions are hampering their operations. The transport sector appears to be under severe economic pressure, with industry representatives describing companies as being "on the edge of their capabilities" as they grapple with rising operational costs and regulatory burdens.

SME
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Economy

Creditors File Bankruptcy Petition Against Company Owned by Water Utility Chief and Agricultural Entrepreneur Kratky

Creditors have filed a bankruptcy petition against a company owned by Kratky, who serves as an executive at water utilities and operates as an agricultural entrepreneur. The creditors claim the company failed to repay loans worth millions of euros. The bankruptcy filing represents a significant financial dispute involving one of Slovakia's prominent figures in the water management and agricultural sectors.

Korzár
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Economy

Slovakia Issues New Guidelines on Energy Voucher Distribution

The Slovak government has broken its silence on energy vouchers by issuing new official guidelines for their distribution. Many Slovak households have found postal vouchers in their mailboxes in recent weeks for collecting the so-called energy vouchers. The voucher program represents the government's response to rising energy costs affecting consumers across the country, though the state had previously remained quiet about the implementation details of the assistance scheme.

Aktuality
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Economy

Slovakia's Major Agricultural Group Faces Ownership Dispute as Partners Head to Court

A major ownership dispute has erupted within Slovak Farmers' Cooperative, one of Slovakia's largest agricultural companies managing over 30,000 hectares of farmland. The conflict pits Daniel Krátký, a former bankruptcy lawyer, against Ján Nosko, a former J&T bank executive whom Krátký brought into the business nearly six years ago. The two partners are now engaged in mutual lawsuits and facing a complex division of assets. Despite the prolonged legal battle, which typically weakens companies, the agricultural group remains financially stable for now. The dispute highlights tensions within one of the most significant players in Slovakia's domestic agriculture sector.

Dennik N
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Economy

Slovakia's Food Market Failing as Production Shifts to Imports

Slovakia's food market is undergoing a fundamental transformation from a production-based to an import-dependent economy, according to industry analysis. Domestic food producers are losing their competitive position within their own market and are no longer able to compete effectively with foreign suppliers. The shift represents a significant change in Slovakia's agricultural and food production sector, with local manufacturers ceding market share to international competitors. This development raises concerns about food security and the sustainability of domestic food production in the Central European nation of 5.4 million people, which joined the European Union in 2004.

SME
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Economy

Oil Prices Fall as Producers Reopen Old Wells

Oil prices have declined, prompting producers to reopen previously closed wells in response to market conditions. According to analysts, significant damage has already been done to the industry, and a complete restoration of logistics networks could take an extended period of time. The reopening of older drilling sites represents an attempt by oil companies to maintain production levels despite the challenging price environment.

SME
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Economy

European Central Bank May Begin Interest Rate Hike Discussions in April

The European Central Bank could start discussing interest rate increases as early as April, with the first actual tightening of monetary policy potentially occurring in June. This represents a significant shift in the ECB's approach as it considers moving away from the ultra-low interest rate environment that has been maintained to support economic recovery. The timing suggests central bank officials are growing increasingly concerned about inflationary pressures across the eurozone and are preparing to take action to control rising prices.

SME
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Economy

Lamborghini Reports Record Revenue Despite Nearly 10% Drop in Profits

Italian luxury automaker Lamborghini achieved record revenue in the previous year, though the company's profits declined by nearly 10 percent. The contrasting financial results reflect the broader challenges facing premium automotive manufacturers as they navigate changing market conditions and consumer demand patterns in the luxury vehicle segment.

SME
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Economy

Slovakia to Impose Higher Tariffs on Chinese Packages Based on Product Type

Slovakia will increase tariffs on packages from China, with customs duties calculated according to the type of goods being imported. The European Commission is already addressing major Chinese e-commerce platforms Temu and Shein as part of broader regulatory measures. The new tariff structure represents a shift from previous flat-rate approaches to a more detailed classification system that varies duties based on specific product categories. This development follows growing scrutiny of Chinese online retailers across the European Union, where concerns have mounted over product safety, fair competition, and tax compliance among platforms that have gained massive popularity among European consumers.

SME
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Economy

Penta Shows Broken Seal on Doors as Evidence of 'Security Incident' in State Dispute

Peter Lednický, director of Penta's hospitals, has presented a broken seal on doors as evidence of what the healthcare group considers a serious security failure and one of the reasons for its ongoing dispute with Slovakia's Antimonopoly Office. The state antitrust authority has been investigating suspected cartel behavior between Penta and Agel since 2024, the two largest healthcare groups operating hospital networks in Slovakia. The office suspects the companies coordinated their approach in ways that could violate competition law. Penta operates one of Slovakia's largest private hospital networks alongside Agel, which together control significant portions of the country's healthcare infrastructure. The investigation represents a major regulatory challenge for Slovakia's privatized healthcare sector.

Dennik N
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Economy

European Central Bank Keeps Interest Rates Unchanged

The European Central Bank maintained its key interest rates at their current levels following its latest monetary policy meeting. The central bank's main deposit rate remains at 2 percent, unchanged from the previous decision. The ECB's decision comes as the bank has revised its inflation forecasts upward, indicating that price pressures in the eurozone are expected to develop less favorably than previously anticipated. The unchanged rates reflect the ECB's cautious approach to monetary policy as it continues to monitor economic conditions across the 20-nation eurozone, which includes Slovakia as a member since 2009.

SMETASR/Teraz
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Economy

Global Finance Names Slovakia's Best Bank for 2026

Slovakia's largest bank has been awarded the title of Best Bank 2026 by Global Finance magazine, reinforcing its dominant position in the domestic market. The prestigious international publication recognized the bank for both its strong financial condition and successful digital transformation efforts. The award highlights the bank's leadership in Slovakia's banking sector and its adaptation to modern digital banking trends.

Aktuality
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