13 September 2026
Independent · Brussels & Berlin
Business · page 7 / 7
European companies, capital markets and industrial policy, read for what the numbers say and what they leave out.
Latest analysis 167 articles
Business
Central bankers at Aix-en-Provence forum argue American tariffs, fiscal expansion and threats to Federal Reserve independence are driving a structural shift toward the euro, though European integration gaps remain.
Business
Philip Lane says the monetary tightening that brought eurozone inflation from 10% to 1.9% is complete, but warns new shocks require vigilance as growth remains weak.
Business
Global renewable energy revenues reached $1.12 trillion in 2025 with Europe claiming a quarter of the market, led by North Sea offshore wind expansion and accelerated permitting under REPowerEU.
Business
The European Commission will unveil rules on Wednesday allowing member states to cover up to half of wholesale power costs for heavy industry, validating German plans and opening the door for nuclear funding in France.
Business
Eighth consecutive quarter-point reduction brings borrowing costs below half the level in Britain and the United States, with inflation now under target and growth forecasts weakening.
Business
ECB president tells Berlin audience that geopolitical shifts create a chance for the euro to expand its 20% share of global reserves, but analysts remain split on whether Europe can deliver the deeper capital markets and political unity required.
Business
ECB president argues US policy volatility has created an opening for the euro, but warns deeper capital markets and joint borrowing are essential first steps.
Business
Christine Lagarde says Europe must reduce reliance on Visa, Mastercard and PayPal, yet domestic schemes in Germany and France already handle most transactions while a consultant argues US networks carry under 1% of payment value.
Business
The single currency hit 1.1369 against the dollar in mid-April, driven by capital flight from US assets and a brighter eurozone growth outlook, though German exporters face new headwinds.
Business
Christine Lagarde calls for European monetary independence while economists warn the euro lacks the safe assets and offshore infrastructure to challenge dollar dominance, even as US policy creates an opening.
Business
Brussels prepares countermeasures targeting US services and technology sectors while balancing internal divisions over the scope and speed of response
Business
The sixth consecutive reduction since June 2024 comes with a downgraded growth forecast and warnings that US tariffs and Berlin's fiscal shift could upend the disinflation path.
Business
The European Central Bank delivered its sixth rate cut in nine months but changed its language in a way analysts read as a hawkish shift, even as it lowered growth forecasts and flagged trade risks.
Business
The omnibus simplification package would reduce firms covered by the CSRD from 50,000 to roughly 10,000, water down supply chain due diligence, and make the taxonomy voluntary for most businesses.
Business
Fifth reduction since June comes after zero growth in final quarter of 2024, with Germany and France both contracting. Markets price in another full percentage point of cuts this year.
Business
The European Commission's new roadmap aims to slash regulatory burden, mobilise €800 billion in annual investment and redirect European savings into venture capital, but climate activists warn it sacrifices green standards for industrial appeasement.
Business
Christine Lagarde says the euro area can withstand US price pressures while the central bank plans gradual reductions to 2% by September, even as Germany contracts for a second year.
