Gold Rush 2.0: Ultimate safe haven in face of geopolitical fragmentation
Gold continues to be a key safe-haven asset resulting in sustained upward pressure on prices.
Gold continues to be a key safe-haven asset resulting in sustained upward pressure on prices.
Only half of the CEE countries saw an increase in turnover among the top 500 companies, revealing disparities in economic performance.
While the US economy looks set for a soft landing, the eurozone continues to face many uncertainties, particularly in the industrial sector.
Despite €3 billion mobilised through the European Battery Alliance created in 2017, only 3% of the investment needed in the battery supply chain has been made.
In the first 6 months of 2024, 68,223 new companies were registered, this being the lowest value in recent semesters, including the first semester of 2019.
Nine countries experienced a higher number of insolvencies, and three countries recorded a decrease (Bulgaria, Croatia and Latvia).
Construction and real estate sectors are among the most cyclical sectors. Sensitive to changes in the labour market, prices and the interest rate, they are currently under strain.

Romania posted in November in the highest inflation rate in the European Union, according to statistical office Eurostat.
DP World has expanded its operations in Romania with two new mobile harbour cranes and a 119,000 sqm multimodal terminal platform at Constanța South Container Terminal.
Romania's Competition Council has fined three companies a total of RON 135.2 million (€26.6 million) for anti-competitive agreements in the heated tobacco products market.
Ebury, the global fintech specialising in international payments and FX risk management, has appointed Cosmin Bucur as its new Country Manager for Romania.
Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia have recorded an 18% increase in banking assets between 2021 and 2024.