Business

Economy and markets, Swiss companies.

Business

South African Rand: August Shaping Up as Difficult Month Amid Monetary Uncertainty

The South African rand is entering what is historically the most challenging month of the year. According to Bloomberg, August is the worst month for the currency, and traders expect August 2026 to follow this unfavorable seasonal trend. Adding to this recurring difficulty are questions surrounding the monetary policy stance of the South African Reserve Bank. However, the precise nature of these doubts and the extent of the anticipated decline remain to be clarified.

31 July 2026 at 14:16

Business

Financial Markets: Week of Simultaneous Turbulence Across Stocks, Bonds, and Currencies

The week of July 31, 2026, brought extraordinary turmoil to global financial markets, according to Bloomberg. Stocks, bonds, and currencies all experienced significant turbulence simultaneously — an unusual synchronized movement across asset classes. South Korean stock markets and US government bonds were among the most severely affected assets during this period. Bloomberg highlighted that such market swings appear to be growing increasingly severe over time. The full scope of the disruption remains unclear from available sources.

31 July 2026 at 14:12

Business

Venezuela and IMF discuss reconstruction financing after June 24 earthquakes

Venezuela and the International Monetary Fund are discussing how to finance recovery and reconstruction after the two earthquakes of June 24. According to ANSA, the IMF approved the country’s access to $346 million, equivalent to Venezuela’s minimum quota allocation. The World Bank estimates direct physical damage at about $20 billion. Official figures cited by the agency report more than 5,500 deaths, at least 16,740 injuries and nearly 18,000 displaced people. The talks also covered the economic outlook, policy priorities and the possible use of international reserves.

30 July 2026 at 20:51

Business

Bank of England holds interest rates at 3.75%, with no increase in sight

The Bank of England held interest rates at 3.75% on Thursday, Bloomberg reported. Governor Andrew Bailey said the committee was not moving closer to raising rates, although three members voted for tighter monetary policy. The available information does not specify when the next decision will be made or what conditions could prompt a change in rates.

30 July 2026 at 20:44

Business

German inflation rises to 2.8% in July 2026

Germany’s annual inflation rate rose to 2.8% in July 2026, up from 2.3% in June under the national consumer price index. Germany’s Federal Statistical Office released the flash estimate on Thursday, July 30, 2026. Energy remains the main driver, although not all goods and services are becoming more expensive. Sonja Marten, chief economist at DZ Bank, says the inflationary wave remains intact. Many economists believe the increase calls for further action from the European Central Bank, but the available estimate does not specify what measures they expect.

30 July 2026 at 18:51

Business

German inflation rises to 2.8% in July as energy prices surge

Germany’s annual inflation rate rose to 2.8% in July 2026 from 2.3% in June, according to a flash estimate published by the Federal Statistical Office on July 30. Energy was the main driver, with prices up 8.3% year on year after a fuel-tax discount expired and oil and gas costs increased. Brent crude rose by about 25% from the previous month, while European natural gas gained more than a third in recent weeks. Core inflation, excluding energy and food, nevertheless eased to 2.4%. Companies’ price expectations remained sensitive to developments in the Gulf.

30 July 2026 at 15:21

Business

German defence companies recruit executives as managerial unemployment rises

German defence manufacturers are recruiting managers while the country’s industrial sector loses about 15,000 jobs a month, according to Handelsblatt. The number of registered unemployed managers has risen 14% over one year across all industries. Hensoldt plans to create 1,600 positions this year, including about 60 management roles, while Rheinmetall aims to hire more than 5,000 people worldwide. KNDS is also expanding its workforce. Employers are seeking expertise in IT, engineering, project management, procurement, sales and business development, with opportunities available to candidates from sectors including automotive and aerospace.

30 July 2026 at 10:39

Business

Fed decision leaves markets facing unusual uncertainty over interest rates

Markets are preparing on July 29, 2026, for one of the most uncertain Federal Reserve decision days in years. The Federal Reserve, commonly known as the Fed, is the central bank of the United States. A group of investors believes an interest-rate increase is possible. The available information does not indicate whether rates will be raised, how large any increase could be or how many investors share that view.

29 July 2026 at 14:11

Business

IMF: Georgieva Confirms Argentina Can Manage Its Debt

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva declared on July 27, 2026 in Buenos Aires that Argentina is now capable of managing its debt. She cited primary surpluses, declining inflation, and rising foreign exchange reserves as signs of economic recovery. Argentina's sovereign spread—the gap between its borrowing rates and a benchmark rate—has also narrowed, and credit rating agencies have upgraded the country's rating. Economic growth is positive, driven by oil, mining, and agriculture sectors.

27 July 2026 at 19:35

Business

Porsche cuts 5,000 more jobs, ~8,900 total since last year

On July 27, 2026, Porsche announced at an employee assembly in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen the elimination of 5,000 additional jobs. Combined with previous year's measures, total job cuts reach approximately 8,900 positions. No forced layoffs are planned; departures will occur through natural attrition, partial early retirement, and voluntary separation agreements. The Volkswagen subsidiary, facing collapsed Chinese sales, high US tariffs, and disappointing returns on electric vehicles, will invest €2.1 billion in German facilities through 2035.

27 July 2026 at 13:05

Business

Zhongji Innolight IPO in Hong Kong priced below maximum: $6.8 billion valuation

Zhongji Innolight Co. is set to price its Hong Kong initial public offering below the maximum of its set range, according to people familiar with the matter cited by Bloomberg. The offering is valued at HK$53.4 billion, equivalent to approximately $6.8 billion USD. This would be the largest initial public offering on Hong Kong's stock exchange in seven years. The definitive pricing had not yet been made public as of July 27, 2026.

27 July 2026 at 08:12

Business

Trump Seeks New Legal Justifications for Tariffs, Prolonging Uncertainty

Donald Trump is actively seeking new legal justifications for his tariffs, according to NPR. As reported on July 25, 2026, this strategy risks prolonging uncertainty affecting both American and global economies. NPR has also identified five implications of the president's determination to maintain this tariff policy, though detailed information is not yet available.

25 July 2026 at 12:08

Business

Trump Tells White House Correspondents: 'When I'm Gone, You'll All Be Bankrupt'

Donald Trump spoke on July 25, 2026, at a makeup dinner of the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA), the association of journalists accredited to the White House, in Washington. He told the assembled journalists: 'When I'm gone, you'll all be bankrupt,' asserting that American media depend economically on him. Trump wore a red 'Trump 2028' cap, alluding to an unconstitutional third presidential run. This dinner is a makeup event: the April 2026 edition had been interrupted following an armed intrusion during which a security agent was wounded.

25 July 2026 at 06:39

Business

U.S.-Saudi Arabia Civil Nuclear Deal: Trump Conditions Agreement on Abraham Accords

The United States signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia on July 23, 2026. The next day, Trump announced on Truth Social that the deal is "entirely subordinate" to Riyadh's accession to the Abraham Accords—diplomatic normalization treaties between Israel and several Arab states. Trump asserts the agreement bars any uranium enrichment on Saudi soil. According to an unconfirmed Wall Street Journal report, the deal could nonetheless allow the construction of a U.S. enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia.

24 July 2026 at 18:44

Business

Trump Threatens EU With Tariffs After €890 Million Fine Imposed on Google

On July 24, 2026, Donald Trump threatened the European Union with "substantial" tariffs in reaction to the 890 million euro fine imposed by Brussels on Google for violations of European competition rules. On Truth Social, the social network of Trump Media & Technology Group, Trump called this practice "PILLAGE" of American enterprises and taxpayers. He announced the immediate launch of a U.S. investigation into European fines targeting American companies. Neither the tariff rate nor the date of entry into force of the threatened tariffs are specified.

24 July 2026 at 18:34

Business

Trump Tariffs: EU Pulls Ahead of UK Thanks to Forced Labor Law

On July 24, 2026, the Trump administration justified its new wave of tariffs against numerous trading partners by citing forced labor in supply chains. The European Union, which has adopted legislation banning products made with forced labor, receives better U.S. tariff treatment than the United Kingdom, which has not yet enacted equivalent laws. European exporters gain a competitive advantage in certain U.S. market sectors. China and Canada are compensating for lost American trade by expanding their commerce with other world regions.

24 July 2026 at 16:25

Business

Wall Street opens mixed amid new U.S. tariffs

On July 24, 2026, Wall Street opened largely unchanged amid competing pressures from new U.S. tariffs and technology sector earnings. Washington imposed 10% to 12.5% tariffs on goods from 60 countries, including the European Union and China, citing insufficient implementation of forced labor prohibitions. Tech giants Alphabet and Tesla reported capital expenditures exceeding market expectations the previous day. Brent crude fell 2.5% to approximately $98 per barrel after spiking above $101. U.S. Treasury yields reached levels unseen since mid-2007, with 30-year bond yields exceeding 5% and 10-year yields at 4.68%.

24 July 2026 at 15:27

Business

Trump Tariffs: EU at 10% Like UK, British Advantages Erased in Multiple Sectors

Donald Trump announced on 23 July 2026 a new round of US tariffs reducing the general rate on European products from 15% to 10% — matching the UK's rate under its bilateral Economic Prosperity Deal (EPD) with Washington. This parity erases the tariff advantage London expected to hold, placing British companies at a disadvantage in sectors not covered by the EPD, such as clothing or beverages, facing a cumulative 22.5% tariff. Scottish whisky will benefit from zero duties, announced on 24 July 2026. The EU has declined to accept the principle of a US forced labour investigation.

24 July 2026 at 12:11

Business

Work Time Fraud in Germany: 13% of Employees Admit to Irregularities

A Consumerfieldwork survey of 1,000 German employees reveals that 13% admit to incorrectly recording their working time. Three-quarters say they have already performed personal tasks during their work hours. The consequences can be severe: in early 2025, a Cologne regional labour court validated the immediate dismissal of a ticket inspector who spent his working hours at his girlfriend's place, in cafés and at the hairdresser's. He was ordered to reimburse €21,000 in detective fees incurred by his employer. Such a dismissal also triggers a suspension of three months of unemployment benefits.

24 July 2026 at 11:03

Business

ECB: Eurozone Households' Inflation Expectations Fall in June 2026

In June 2026, Eurozone households revised down their inflation expectations, according to the European Central Bank's (ECB) Consumer Expectations Survey. Perceived inflation over the past 12 months fell to 3.6%, down from 4.0% in May. One-year inflation expectations declined to 3.0%, while three-year expectations fell to 2.8%. Economic growth prospects improved slightly. Significant gaps persist between low-income and high-income households. The ECB will publish July survey results on August 21, 2026.

24 July 2026 at 08:55

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