Eurowings Expands Berlin Operations to Record Levels | Bitcoin Slides Amid Security Concerns | Wall Street Poised for Slight Recovery | Dax Recovers as Oil Prices Fall | Netflix Takeover Bid Boosts Warner Bros. Discovery Stock | Auto Crisis Drives Skilled Workers to Defense Jobs | Eurozone Inflation Higher Than Expected | OECD: German Economy Gaining Traction | BDI Chief Warns: Germany in “Deepest Crisis” | RTL Germany Restructures, Announces Job Cuts | Bayer Stock Soars on US Government Support | Gold Price Fluctuates, Oil Prices Climb | Bitcoin Attempts to Stabilize | “This Will Be the Day’s Top Performer” | Germany’s Industry in “Free Fall” | US Online Shopping Hits Record Highs | “Mood Ranges from Anxious to Resigned” | Forex Market Update | Dax in Retreat | Rüstungsaktien unter Druck

1:38 PM CET

Eurowings Expands Berlin Operations

Lufthansa’s subsidiary, Eurowings, is increasing its presence in Berlin ahead of the summer 2026 flight schedule. The airline announced it will boost available seat capacity by approximately 16% within the next year, offering service to 43 destinations across 20 countries – the most routes ever offered from the city. “The measures decided by the German government are helping us to stabilize and partially expand our offering of flights to destinations across Europe,” said departing airline CEO Jens Bischof. This expansion is particularly noticeable in the Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan region, where Eurowings will add two aircraft to its fleet at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), bringing the total to nine stationed planes.

Growth at Eurowings’ largest base in Düsseldorf, which currently operates around 40 aircraft, is expected to be more moderate, according to an airline spokesperson. The carrier has no current plans to eliminate further domestic routes, despite recently discontinuing service between Cologne and Hamburg, and Hamburg and Nuremberg. Other airlines have also reduced routes, citing high operating costs in Germany.

1:17 PM CET

Crypto Markets Under Pressure Amid Security Concerns

Cryptocurrencies are facing renewed volatility as a potential security breach sent Bitcoin and other digital assets lower at the start of the week. Details of the security concerns are emerging, and the impact on investors is being closely watched. Raimund Brichta discussed the turbulence and potential consequences with Dirk Heß of nxtAssets.

1:10 PM CET

Geopolitics Influencing Wall Street

Wall Street is poised for a slight recovery following yesterday’s declines, with equity futures pointing to a modestly higher open. Despite a negative start to December, traders note that the final month of the year has historically been favorable for stocks. Rising interest rates in Japan, however, had previously weighed on market sentiment. The easing of U.S. bond yields and continued expectations for a rate cut by the Federal Reserve on December 10th are now providing support.

Geopolitical developments are also influencing trading activity. A potential end to the Russia-Ukraine war could lead to lower oil prices and ease inflationary pressures. “We’re seeing a focus on geopolitics as Trump’s envoy Witkoff prepares to meet with Russian President Putin in Moscow to discuss U.S. proposals for ending the war in Ukraine,” added Reid. Steve Witkoff is currently engaged in negotiations regarding a possible ceasefire.

12:48 PM CET

DAX Recovers, Oil Prices Decline

The DAX index gained 0.7% to reach 23,753 points at midday. The Euro Stoxx 50 also rose by 0.7% to 5,708 points. Traders attributed the gains to relief following the release of Eurozone consumer price data. Maximilian Wienke, a market analyst at eToro, pointed out that while Eurozone inflation rose from 2.1% to 2.2% in November, it’s unlikely to alter the European Central Bank’s monetary policy outlook. The ECB’s own projections for 2.1% inflation in 2025 support this view.

The Euro remained stable at 1.1609 USD. Brent and WTI crude oil prices both fell by 0.6%.

12:20 PM CET

Netflix Acquisition Speculation Boosts Warner Bros. Discovery Stock

Speculation surrounding a potential takeover bid from Netflix is driving investor interest in Warner Bros Discovery. Shares of the media company are up 1.6% in pre-market U.S. trading. Reuters reports that Netflix has submitted a largely cash-funded offer in a second round of bidding. Paramount and Comcast are also reportedly working on improved offers for the company or parts of Warner Bros. Discovery. The companies declined to comment. Warner Bros. Discovery’s stock has more than doubled in value since the beginning of the year.

11:52 AM CET

Automotive Industry Shift Drives Skilled Workers to Defense Jobs

A weakening automotive industry is forcing many employees to seek opportunities in other sectors. Hundreds of thousands of jobs are expected to be lost in the automotive sector by 2030, while demand in the defense industry continues to grow. Software developer Johannes Scherle is among those affected, having lost a previously secure position.

11:34 AM CET

Eurozone Inflation Higher Than Expected in November

Inflationary pressures in the Eurozone unexpectedly edged higher in November. Eurostat reported a month-on-month decrease of 0.3% in consumer prices, but a year-on-year increase of 2.2% (October: 2.1%). Economists had forecast a monthly price decline of 0.3% and an unchanged year-on-year rate of 2.1%. Core consumer prices (excluding energy, food, alcohol, and tobacco) fell by 0.4% month-on-month and rose by 2.4% (2.4%) year-on-year. Rates of -0.5% and +2.5% had been expected.

“The increase in the inflation rate has nothing to do with inflation,” said Alexander Krüger of Hauck Aufhäuser Lampe. “Energy prices didn’t play along in October, but the inflation rate is where it should be. Looking ahead, we’re seeing a longer phase of price stability. It still looks like the inflation rate will temporarily fall just below 2.0% in early 2026. The ECB can rest assured and leave interest rates where they are. It’s unlikely to be tempted to raise rates, as its inflation projection of 1.7% for 2026 is likely too low.”

11:24 AM CET

OECD: German Economy Gaining Traction

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is forecasting a noticeable recovery for the German economy after a prolonged period of recession and stagnation. The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to grow by 1.0% in 2026 and 1.5% in 2027, according to the outlook. However, growth is expected to be limited to 0.3% this year, with only Finland and Norway performing worse. The previous forecast for 2025 has been confirmed, while projections for the following two years have been lowered by 0.1 and 0.2 percentage points, respectively. Europe’s largest economy has contracted in the past two years.

If the forecasts hold true, Germany would grow faster than the EU average in 2027 for the first time in years. “The strongly increasing public investments and defense spending play a major role, of course,” said OECD expert Isabell Koske. This expansionary fiscal policy stimulates private investment and consumption. “However, it should be ensured that the additional spending primarily flows into public investments that increase potential growth – and not into additional government consumption,” Koske added.

11:03 AM CET

BDI Chief Warns: Germany “in Deepest Crisis”

Germany’s industry association is sounding the alarm: BDI President Peter Leibinger speaks of the “deepest crisis since the founding of the Federal Republic” – four years of declining production, structural decline instead of a cyclical downturn. He is now calling for a radical wave of reforms.

10:45 AM CET

RTL Germany Restructures, Announces Job Cuts

RTL Germany is restructuring its organization to focus more strongly on its streaming business and plans to implement a comprehensive overhaul. The goal is to future-proof the company in the face of an accelerating transformation of the media landscape and current economic challenges, and to compete with major U.S. streaming services. Given the sustained success of RTL+ and the accelerating shift away from linear television, management has decided to align the company’s structure and costs more closely with the streaming business. As a result, around 600 positions will be eliminated across all RTL Germany locations. These measures will be implemented in a socially responsible manner through a special severance program and partial retirement schemes, in close consultation with the relevant works councils.

“The media market is undergoing a profound transformation. To remain successful and competitive in the long term, we are aligning RTL Germany even more consistently with the streaming business,” said RTL Germany CEO Stephan Schmitter. “With the dynamic growth of RTL+ and the planned acquisition of Sky, we have a strong foundation for future success. Our content and journalistic responsibility remain at the heart of our activities – with targeted investments in entertainment, sports and news, as well as new technologies for our audience of today and tomorrow. To create the necessary structures and resources, we have developed a program with the works councils that will shape the necessary job cuts as fairly and responsibly as possible – with great respect and gratitude to all affected colleagues. These measures are far-reaching, but necessary and will sustainably strengthen RTL Germany’s position in the face of structural and economic challenges.”

10:05 AM CET

Bayer Shares Surge

Investors rushed to buy Bayer stock, sending it up nearly 15% and on track for its largest daily gain in over 22 years. The stock is currently up 11.9%. “The long-standing glyphosate dispute could now be brought to an end before the Supreme Court,” noted an analyst in Frankfurt.

The Leverkusen-based company received support from the U.S. government in the multi-billion dollar legal dispute over the potential cancer risks of the Roundup herbicide. In a letter released Monday, the highest-ranking lawyer for President Donald Trump’s administration urged the Supreme Court to take up the case. This supports Bayer’s central argument that the approval of a pesticide by a federal agency should not be overturned by lawsuits in individual states.

9:50 AM CET

Gold Prices Fluctuate, Oil Prices Climb

Oil prices are rising following drone attacks on Russian supply facilities. A barrel (159 liters) of Brent crude is up eight cents at $63.26. U.S. oil WTI is trading flat at $59.36. Gold is holding steady at just over $4,200 per fine ounce.

9:31 AM CET

Bitcoin Attempts to Stabilize

Bitcoin is showing a slight recovery after suffering its largest daily loss since March at the start of the week. Analysts at CIMB believe that cryptocurrencies and other risk assets are being weighed down by concerns that a potential interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan could unwind Yen-financed “carry trades.” These involve borrowing Yen at low interest rates to invest in higher-yielding assets.

9:15 AM CET

“This Will Be the Day’s Top Performer”

The DAX is starting the day with slight losses. Germany’s benchmark index is currently trading around 23,535 points, after losing 1.0% to 23,589 points at the start of the week.

“The market is being supported today by Bayer,” commented ntv stock market correspondent Frank Meyer, pointing out that the U.S. government is supporting the German pharmaceutical and agrochemical company in the glyphosate issue. “Tens of thousands of pending lawsuits could potentially be resolved at a stroke,” he explained. “Bayer: This will be the day’s top performer.”

8:57 AM CET

“We Should Keep Enough Powder Dry”

Austrian member of the ECB Governing Council Martin Kocher sees no immediate need for monetary policy action by the European Central Bank. Slight deviations up or down from the 2% inflation target should not yet trigger a reaction, Kocher told the newspaper “Kurier.” The ECB cannot and will not engage in “micro-management of monetary policy.” “We should keep enough powder dry to be able to react quickly if necessary.” The ECB expects an inflation rate of 1.7% for 2026.

8:39 AM CET

ABB Completes Acquisition of Siemens Gamesa Division

ABB has completed the acquisition of the power electronics business of Siemens Energy subsidiary Siemens Gamesa. The Swiss company is strengthening its position in converters for renewable energies, the electrical engineering group said. The financial terms of the transaction, announced a year ago, were not disclosed. The Siemens Gamesa division sold generated revenues of around €145 million in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025. Approximately 400 employees are transferring to ABB. The company aims to benefit from the expected strong growth in solar and wind energy. A supply and service agreement with Siemens Gamesa has also been concluded.

8:22 AM CET

Auto Values Lead Gains in Asia

Asian stock markets are showing a mixed performance overall. Supporting the markets is the expectation of a U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate cut in December following weak U.S. economic data yesterday, as well as the prospect of Kevin Hassett succeeding Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, who is expected to pursue a dovish monetary policy.

The Nikkei index in Tokyo is up 0.5% at 49,382 points. According to Capital Economics, concerns about higher Japanese interest rates are overblown. Japan is a large global creditor, but higher Japanese yields would not necessarily lead to a repatriation of capital that would endanger global markets, analyst Thomas Mathews wrote.

The Kospi in Seoul is the standout performer, up 1.9%. This is driven by confirmation from the U.S. government that the general tariff rate on Korean imports will be retroactively reduced to 15% from November 1. This also applies to auto exports. Hyundai and Kia are up more than 4%, while heavyweight Samsung Electronics is up 2%.

Conversely, the Shanghai Composite is down 0.5%, while the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong is holding steady.

8:03 AM CET

Bilfinger Aims for Higher Margin

Bilfinger aims to grow significantly and become more profitable in the coming years. By 2030, revenue is expected to grow by an average of 8-10% per year, and the operating margin (EBITA margin) is expected to reach 8-9%, the industrial services provider said at its Capital Markets Day in Frankfurt. Growth is expected to come from both organic sources and acquisitions. The dividend policy, with a payout ratio of 40-60% of adjusted net income, remains unchanged. “Our ambitions are based on the strong performance of recent years, which has been driven by growing customer demand for greater efficiency and sustainability in volatile markets,” said CEO Thomas Schulz.

7:59 AM CET

Glyphosate Dispute: U.S. Government Backs Bayer

Bayer has received support from the U.S. government in the multi-billion dollar legal dispute over the potential cancer risks of the Roundup herbicide. In a published letter, the highest-ranking lawyer for President Donald Trump’s administration urged the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case. This supports Bayer’s central argument that the approval of a pesticide by a federal agency should not be overturned by lawsuits in individual states. A successful outcome before the Supreme Court could free Bayer from a large portion of the wave of lawsuits.

Specifically, the case concerns Bayer’s appeal to overturn a Missouri court ruling awarding a plaintiff $1.25 million in damages. It is one of more than 67,000 similar cases the company faces in the U.S. Bayer inherited the lawsuit wave with its $63 billion acquisition of U.S. seed giant Monsanto in 2018. The company has consistently argued that decades of studies prove the safety of the Roundup active ingredient glyphosate.

7:35 AM CET

Volatility Expected

Traders expect continued sideways volatility in Europe today. The signals from Wall Street are slightly negative. Futures on the DAX are trading up just 30 points.

Notably, losses in the industrial index Dow Jones were higher than in the technology index Nasdaq. Apple and Nvidia closed slightly higher, while Alphabet and Microsoft came under pressure. The sale was triggered by the unwinding of Yen-financed so-called carry trades after expectations of an imminent interest rate hike in Japan rose. The market has virtually no doubt that interest rates will be cut in the U.S. on December 10th. Weak U.S. purchasing manager indices last week and yesterday’s ISM index further underscored the weakness of the U.S. economy.

There is little economic data scheduled for release today. Attention will focus on the Eurozone inflation rate. The VDMA industry association will also report on orders in the mechanical engineering sector.

7:08 AM CET

Industry Sees Germany “in Free Fall”

Germany’s industry association, the BDI, says the country’s economic location is “in free fall.” The German industry is facing a dramatic low point at the end of 2025, BDI President Peter Leibinger told the German Press Agency. “The economic location is in its historically deepest crisis since the founding of the Federal Republic, but the federal government is not reacting decisively enough.”

6:52 AM CET

U.S. Consumers Spend Record Amounts Online

Despite economic concerns, U.S. consumers spent more online than ever during the extended Thanksgiving weekend. According to Adobe Analytics, Black Friday alone generated $11.8 billion in sales, up 9.1% from last year. Another $14.2 billion is expected for Cyber Monday, a 6.3% increase. Total online spending over the four days following Thanksgiving would reach around $38 billion.

6:35 AM CET

“Mood Ranges from Anxious to Resigned”

Speculation about a possible interest rate hike in Japan is causing uncertainty in financial markets and triggering a sell-off in bonds. The yield on the ten-year Japanese government bond rose 1.5 basis points to 1.88%, the highest level in 17 years. Asian stock markets are mixed: While the Nikkei index is up 0.5%, markets in China are falling. The Shanghai Composite is down 0.5%.

A drop in cryptocurrencies is adding to the nervousness. Bitcoin fell 5.2% on Monday. “The mood ranges from anxious to resigned,” said Jehan Chu, founder of the blockchain venture capital firm Kenetic Capital.

6:17 AM CET

What’s Happening in Early Currency Trading

In currency markets, the Yen is holding strong at 155.75 per dollar amid speculation about interest rates. The Euro is trading at 1.1609 USD. The dollar is up slightly to 7.0757 against the Chinese Yuan. It is moving slightly to 0.8043 against the Swiss Franc.

6:03 AM CET

DAX in Reverse

After a three-percent gain last week, the DAX started the new trading week by going into reverse: Germany’s benchmark index, which closed on Friday at 23,836 points, ended today’s session at 23,589 points, down 1.0 percent.