Finance | 4 March, 2025 at 11:26 AM
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.
Metinvest has completed the acquisition of ArcelorMittal Tubular Products Iași, located in eastern Romania.
Holiday spending is decreasing by about 10% this year compared to 2024, as three-quarters of consumers (77%, up from 69% in 2024) expect higher prices on holiday goods.
State-owned lender CEC Bank has obtained a €25 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to finance public sector projects that contribute to sustainable economic development, particularly in regions most affected by climate transition.
Engie Romania has doubled its renewable energy capacity to approximately 500 MW following the acquisition of a 253.1 MW wind farm in Ialomița county from Greenvolt Power.
Socar Petroleum has opened its first petrol station in Baia Mare, bringing its total network to 88 stations across 30 counties in Romania.