German chart comments - Issue date - 24.09.2010

It is a slow week in Germany, at least as long as new entries are concerned, as the biggest new single comes outside the top 30. Still, we have news at the top as finally Yolanda Be Cool & Dcup retreat from the #1 position after being there for seven weeks. This leaves the way to Eminem & Rihanna's "Love The Way You Lie" finally reaching the summit, after slowly burning within the top 3 in the last few weeks.
Video

The next notable movement is the #10 - #6 jump of Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwo'ole's "Over The Rainbow" in its second week on the chart, which is always a good sign for the future prospects of the song.
Video 

So the highest new entry comes in at #36 with "Danke", the latest single of German hip hop band Die Fantastischen Vier, which however is a far cry from the guys' best career moments with "Die Da" or "Sie ist weg".
Video

The next new entries see the return of 90s stars Ace of Base at #38 and 80s legends OMD (or Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) at #49. "All For You" marks the re-launch of the Swedish band, whose hits "All That She Wants" and "The Sign" were the definitive soundtrack some 15-17 years ago. Now, the band is back with two new female vocalists, while the male part of the quartet, in the face of Jonas and Ulf, is still the same. Although not in the upper reaches of the countdown, to see Ace of Base back in 2010 is a pleasant surprise. More pleasant however is the return of OMD, one of the biggest new wave bands from the 80s, whose hit "Maid of Orleans" was the biggest selling single in Germany in 1982. "If You Want It" is not only the first single of the British group in 14 years but is so good that immediately shows to whom hot new bands such as Hurts owe so much...
Video
Video

And finally at #56 comes the second single taken from the MTV Unplugged album of Sido, Germany's biggest hip-hop star (sorry Bushido) right now. "DaDaDa" is not only based on one of the biggest hits in Germany in the 80s by band Trio, but also has the group's vocalist Stephan Remmler as a guest star. Unfortunately, the placing of the song outside the top 50 is miles away from the #2 peak of "Der Himmel soll warten", the first single from Sido's Unplugged CD.
Video

Info - Wikipedia

Charts compiled by Media Control

Austrian economic news in a flash

(The most important economic news in Austria from 29 September)
 
Catering company  Do&Co has submitted a request to list its shares on the Istanbul stock exchange. Furthermore, the firm said it plans to raise its core capital by up to 25%, with the proceeds to be used for widening of the market presence and possible acquisitions. 
*
Vienna Insurance Group (VIG) has acquired about 10% in Turkish non-life insurer Ray Sigorta, in which VIG's 60%-subsidiary TBIH Financial Services Group already owns 84.3%. VIG is to fully take over TBIH Financial Services Group in the near future.

*
Investor Alexander Proschofsky has filed with the Vienna's commercial court an action for annulment regarding the squeeze-out of the minority shareholders of Constantia Packaging AG. According to him, the formal conditions regarding the launched by US financial investor OEP full takeover of the company had not been met. The outstanding shareholders got EUR 47 per share as compensation.

*
The shareholders of real estate firm Immofinanz have rejected a management plan for a convertible bond as well as for a capital increase, WirtschaftsBlatt reported. Mainly institutional investors have voted against the intentions of the company's CEO. He wanted a green light for up to EUR 310.4m in convertible bonds in the next five years and for a capital hike of up to 50%. Now the management will have to work out a new plan for the firm's financing in the near future.
*
The latest purchasing managers' index (PMI) of Bank Austria showed that the country's industry gained confidence in September. The index rose to 56.1 pts from 55.9 pts in August. The new business and the order books grew considerably in September, the specialists said. The companies also boosted their staff for a sixth consecutive month. Despite the strong increase in production and capacity, the growth in material costs took its toll in September, according to the economists.

*
Builder Porr plans to issue a bond of up to EUR 150m for a period of five years.
*
Collapsed financing firm AvW Invest AG, whose CEO Wolfgang Auer-Welsbach is currently in custody, cannot publish any financial reports anymore, the firm's insolvency administrator said. Due to missing documents and validations, the auditors cannot complete the 2009 report, he added.
*
PC game developer JoWooD said it has to reduce its capital in order to cover its high losses. The decisions on the future of the company are to be approved at the forthcoming extraordinary shareholders' meeting at the start of November.
*
The order book of Austria's construction sector stood at EUR 6.8bn at the end of June, down 4.6% in annual comparison, Statistik Austria reported. The sector's output was EUR 6bn between January and June, a decrease of 9.1% year-on-year.
*
The turnover of Austria's production and construction sectors totalled EUR 19.7bn in June, an increase of 14.3% in annual terms, Statistik Austria said.

Austrian economic news in a flash

(The most important economic news in Austria from 28 September)

Telekom Austria is one of the five companies interested in the takeover of 75% in Kosovo-based telecommunications company PTK. The local government plans to privatise the telecom business of the company and to retain its postal services. The other interested parties include Albanian ALB Telecom, Croatia's Telekom, Egypt's Orascom Telecom Holding and Yemen's Sabafo. The deal value is estimated at between EUR 300m and EUR 600m.
*
Federico Ghizzoni, currently deputy CEO of Bank Austria, and Roberto Nicastro, deputy CEO of parent Unicredit, are considered the most possible candidates for the position of Unicredit's CEO. Alessandro Profumo, the previous CEO of the group, surprisingly stepped down a week ago.
*
The owners of Austria's biggest dairy Berglandmilch have approved the takeover of sector company Tirol Milch. The deal is awaiting a nod from the country's anti-trust authorities.

*
Power International (PI) and Airport International (AI), affiliates of the Meinl group in the past, said they had reached a settlement agreement for their ongoing disputes with Meinl Bank. Thus the two firms have ceased their legal proceedings against banker Julius Meinl V and other managers.

In BG cinemas from 24.09

Уолстрийт: Парите никога не спят (2010) / Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps (САЩ) - One of the best movies of the year so far. It is obligatory for everyone who can tell his subprime from his bonds (or for everyone who has ever written an economic article). Douglas, LeBeouf and Brolin are on top form, while Oliver Stone returns to the real film making after misfires such as W and South of the Border. Electrifying stuff. - Alexandra

Step Up 3D (2010) / Step Up 3-D (САЩ) - Let's be clear, no-one is going to watch this (the first Step Up to reach our cinema screens) for the plot. It's all about the moves, the bodies, the soundtrack and the eye-popping 3D effects. So check your brain out at the entrance and enjoy it... Tandem

Не спирай (2008) / Solo quiero caminar (Испания, Мексико) - It's good that non-Hollywood movies manage to gain access to any BG cinema, but the problem here is that this is one of the most boring films I watched at the last Sofia Film Fest. So unmemorable that I even forgot that I watched it... Art Fest

Дявол (2010) / Devil (САЩ) - Don't let the tag line "It comes from the mind of Shyamalan" stops you to buy a ticket for this horror movie. It's not the best but offers a few surprises on the (lift) way. Forum Film

Антихрист (2009) / Antichrist (Германия, Дания, Швеция, Франция, Италия, Полша) - A late premiere in Bulgaria this, the latest from Lars Von Trier has divided audiences right in the middle. The one half praises it, the other hates it. I guess I'd be from the latter, so I haven't dare to see the nastiness happening in the deep woods, with scissors and talking foxes involved. ProFilms

Дяволският град / Devil's Town (Сърбия) - A movie coming surprsingly to the BG cinemas and non-surprising I have nothing to say about this Serbian comedy. ProFilms

Austrian economic news in a flash

(The most important economic news in Austria from 27 September)

Top Story

Real estate developer Immofinanz raised its revenue by 2.5% to EUR 183.7m in the first quarter of its fiscal year 2010/11. The net profit, however, fell to EUR 59m from EUR 136.2m a year earlier when it was boosted by one-time effects. The company merged with its eastern European unit Immoeast in the last fiscal year.
*
Former finance minister Karl-Heinz Grasser has stepped down as supervisory board chairman of fund manager C-Quadrat due to personal reasons. Marcus Mautner Markhof, his deputy so far, will take over Grasser's position.
*
The shareholders of  CA Immo International AG, the foreign subsidiary of  CA Immobilien Anlagen AG, approved the merger with the parent company.

Austrian economic news in a flash

(The most important economic news in Austria from 24 September)  


Top Story
The planned capital increase of EUR 1bn at Austria's leading utility Verbund was approved by an overwhelming majority of 99.97% of the company's shareholders on Friday. The proceeds are to be used for the funding of up to EUR 2.5bn in investments, mainly in hydropower and in the grid. Austria, as owner of 51% in Verbund, will contribute with EUR 510m in the capital hike. The move is expected to be implemented towards the end of November. 
*

Top Story

Austrian economic research institutes Wifo and IHS have considerably increased the forecasts for the country's gross domestic product (GDP) growth. Now Wifo sees 2% growth in 2010, up from 1.2% projected before, while IHS improved its expectation to 1.8% from 1.5%. For 2011 the projections were increased to 1.9% from 1.6% (Wifo) and to 2% from 1.9% (IHS). The growth will be mostly supported by the booming exports.
*
SW Umwelttechnik has secured new orders of about EUR 4.5m, of which EUR 1.2m in Austria and EUR 3m in eastern Europe.
*
Vienna Airport is seeking 120 new employees especially in the field of handling and cleaning of aircraft. Vienna International Airport Security Services is looking for 50 new employees. The move is due to the rising traffic figures at the airport.
*
Raiffeisenbank a.s., the Czech unit of Reiffeisen, intends to open at least 10 new branches in 2011, CEO Rudolf Rabinak told journalists on Friday.
*
Austria's production index rose 0.3% in July 2010, compared to a month ago, and 6.8% in annual terms, Statistik Austria reported.
*
The number of overnight stays in Austria rose 1.1% to 46.58 million in May to August this year, the local statistics bureau said.

Austrian economic news in a flash

(The most important economic news in Austria from 23 September)  
 
Gruber & Kaja, part of HTI holding, has secured a EUR 45m order to deliver aluminium parts for all-wheel transmissions to an unnamed foreign company. The period of the order stands at eight years.

*
Sanitary and heat technology wholesaler SHT Haustechnik AG, part of  Frauenthal Holding, has opened a new sales and service site in Innsbruck. The company has invested about EUR 4m in the project. 

*
The EUR 1bn capital increase of Verbund will result into the opening of up to 37,000 jobs, Austria's economic minister Reinhold Mitterlehner said. The move will be part of the company's strategy to secure a long-term increase of its value. Austria, as a 51% owner, will pour EUR 510m in the company.

Austrian economic news in a flash

(The most important economic news in Austria from 22 September)  
 
Office furniture maker Bene posted a loss before interest and tax of EUR 6.4m for the first six months of fiscal 2010/11. Sales decreased 19.5% to EUR 77.1m. The company projects a negative result for full 2010/11 due to the continuing tough situation on its markets.
*
PC game developer JowooD has called for an extraordinary shareholders' meeting due to the expected high semi-annual net loss. The loss may have come higher than half of the core capital, the company said. JowooD will look into strategies for the further development of its business at the shareholders' meeting, which is expected on November 7. Most probably, the shareholders will vote on a capital increase, a spokeswoman for JoWooD told APA news agency. She added the firm was not endangered by insolvency and that the first-half net loss is seen at between EUR 10m and 15m.
*
Utilities EVN and Wiener Stadtwerke want to bundle their stakes in sector leader Verbund in a shareholders' syndicate. The two firms hold together around 26% in Verbund.
*
Candy producer Manner said its sales in the second quarter of 2010 rose 2.3% but decreased by 2.4% in the first six months of the year. The high prices of cacao, milk and hazelnuts burdened the pre-tax profit by 9%.
*
Vienna Insurance Group has received a concession for the sale of life insurance polices in Montenegro. Thus the company has boosted its presence to 24 countries in the CEE region.
*
MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Österreich AG, the Austrian subsidiary of German truck maker MAN, booked sales of EUR 1.25bn for 2009, down from EUR 1.89bn a year earlier. The net profit fell to EUR 101.8m from EUR 109.1m.
*
Steel group Voestalpine has invested EUR 130m in a new forge of its unit Böhler Edelstahl in Kapfenberg, in Styria. The investment shows the importance of the site, Voestalpine said.
*
Fibre producer Lenzing has priced its EUR 120m bond with a coupon of 3.875%. The issue price stands at 101.28%. The bond was four times oversubscribed, the company said. The proceeds will be used for optimisation of the financial portfolio and funding of new projects.

*
Austria's total production of aquaculture rose 5.6% year-on-year to 3,051 tonnes in 2009, the country's statistics office reported.
*
The number of used motor vehicles registrations rose 9.9% in annual terms to 85,041 in August, but decreased 10.2% compared to July, Statistik Austria said.

Austrian economic news in a flash

(The most important economic news in Austria from 21 September)  

Hydro power machinery provider VA Tech Wabag will launch an IPO in India via its local parent company. The subscription period is set for between September 22 and 27.

*
Real estate company Immofinanz envisages the payment of EUR 0.10 as dividend per share for 2010, provided that the company manages to place a new convertible bond. The dividend will also depend on the stock price of the firm standing around EUR 3, CEO Eduard Zehetner told WirtschaftsBlatt. Peer Conwert, in its turn, plans to raise its dividend for 2010 to between EUR 0.20 and EUR 0.30 per share. CA Immo, the other major sector firm, also mulls over a dividend if the year develops well, but this will be seriously considered not earlier than 2011.

*
Troubled multi-media firm webfreeTV.com will be delisted from the Vienna Stock Exchange as of October 31, the latter said. The move is reasoned with the continuing violation of the bourse's regulations for ad-hoc publications on behalf of the company. webfreeTV.com said it plans to fight with all legal measures against the delisting.
*
The Austrian group of Italian insurer Generali closed the first half of 2010 with a premium income of EUR 1.38bn, up 5% in annual terms. The group's earnings soared 52% to EUR 77.8m. The results were mainly boosted by life insurance activities and BAWAG P.S.K. Versicherung registered the best performance within the group.
*
Erhard Grossnigg, a specialist in revamping troubled firms, said he aims to take control in IT provider S&T. Apart from the acquisition of 25% minus one share in the frame of a capital increase, Grossnigg wants to take the 1m shares owned by insolvent financial group AvW. He plans to exercise his rights at the company in unison with the latter's CEO Thomas Streimelweger. Together they may control 68% in the company in the near term.
*
OMV said it has agreed to acquire the gas exploration and production (E&P) business of Petronas in Pakistan. The move will allow the Austrian oil and gas major to boost its production in the Asian country to 25,000 boe by 2014 from 14,000 boe now.
*
Real estate investor Conwert has secured a total of 90.38% in sector player ECO Business-Immobilien AG and now plans to revamp its management.
*
The prosecution has drawn out the charges against Wolfgang Auer-Welsbach, the CEO of collapsed AvW, accusing him of heavy fraud, embezzlement and damages for some EUR 450m. If pronounced guilty, the manager could face up to 10 years imprisonment.

Austrian economic news in a flash

(The most important economic news in Austria from 20 September)  


Strabag Property and Facility Services (Strabag PFS), part of construction giant Strabag, has taken over 100% in Czech real estate services company ECM Facility. No financial details were revealed. ECM had EUR 16m in sales in 2009.
 *
The Vienna Stock Exchange has cancelled the trade in shares of Christ Water Technology after the latter was fully taken over by Eimco Water Technologies in the frame of a squeeze-out of the minority shareholders.
*
OMV was the company with the highest payment to its executive board in 2009. As a whole, the oil and gas group paid EUR 10.2m to its executives, up 23.4% in annual terms. The average board payment among Austrian listed companies stood at EUR 2.9m, down 4.8%. OMV is followed by builder Strabag and machinery group Andritz in the ranking compiled by local shareholder protection group IVA.
*
Klagenfurt judges refused to release from custody with an ankle shackle Wolfgang Auer-Welsbach, the CEO of collapsed financial group AvW. He is accused of fraud and tax invasion. Auer-Welsbach's lawyers will appeal the judge decision.

Austrian economic news in a flash

(The most important economic news in Austria from 17 September) 

Lingerie maker Wolford said its sales rose 9.2% in annual terms to EUR 29.8m in the first quarter of its fiscal year that ends on April 30. Net loss decreased to EUR 2.5m from EUR 3.3m. The company projects a further increase in sales and improvement in earnings for full 2010/11.
*
Klagenfurt-based BKS Bank plans to issue a hybrid bond with a volume of up to EUR 20m. The subscription period runs between September 17 and 24. The bond will be used for strengthening of the core capital and improving of the competitiveness.
*
Agrana plans to process some 5.2m tonnes of sugar beet in the current season, up from 5.1m a year earlier. This is expected to result in the production of 772,000 tonnes of sugar, up 3.3% in annual terms. The cultivation area of bio sugar beet has more than doubled to 750 hectares since its introduction in 2008, Agrana said.
*
The squeeze-out of Christ Water Technology (CWT) was entered into the trade register and now Eimco Water Technologies GmbH is the 100% owner of the company. The shares of CWT will cease trading on the Vienna Stock Exchange at a short notice. The minority shareholders will receive EUR 2.10 as a cash compensation for the move.
*
Swiss Post is not interested in entering the Austrian mail market despite its liberalisation from 2011, Georg Weidinger, head of Swiss Post International Austria, said over the weekend.
*
Austria's industrial producer price index stood at 110.2 points in July 2010, up 4.2% in annual terms and 0.4% in monthly comparison, Statistik Austria said.

In BG Cinemas this Friday

Ченгета в резерв (2010) / The Other Guys (САЩ) - There are not many critics to admit they like Step Brothers, the previous collaboration between Will Ferrell and director Adam McKay, but still it was one of the funniest movies two years ago. The new project sees the team-up of Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg as not-so-good cops against the perfect ones in the face The Rock and Samuel L Jackson. What's not to like? Still on my watch list though - Alexandra Films

The Other Guys on IMDB

Обичам те, Филип Морис (2009) / I Love You Phillip Morris (САЩ) - The love story between Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor has been praised by critics all over the world but has still to be released in USA (it's controversial u know)... Kudos then that the title finds a BG distributor, though it will be a guaranteed flop at the home box office. - Radivision

Phillip Morris on IMDB

Бялата лента (2009) / A White Ribbon (Австрия, Франция, Германия) - One of the best films I've watched this year and I'm not even among the fans of director Michael Haneke (Cache - sooo boring!). It's not an easy watch but with its excellent photography, great visuals and subtle performances is one of the jewels of the German cinema lately. - Art Fest

White Ribbon on IMDB

Austrian economic news in a flash

(The most important economic news in Austria from 16 September)

Real estate company conwert has taken over KALLCO, a sector firm with five top properties in Vienna worth EUR 18.3m. conwert paid EUR 2.16m in cash and EUR 1.47m in stock for the transaction.
*
The Vienna Mobility Award of Austria's Traffic Club (VCOe) has been presented to retail chain Spar and to Telekom Austria for their initiatives in reduction of energy emissions. In addition, the city's traffic councillor, Rudi Schicker, said Vienna will invest more in promoting bicycle transport.
*
A consortium, with the 24%-participation of Strabag, has been named the best bidder for the design, construction, financing and maintenance of the A15 motorway in the Netherlands. The 25-year project has a total value of EUR 1.5bn. The construction works are to be finalised by 2015.
*
Buwog, part of real estate developer Immofinanz, has divested its entire real estate portfolio in the province of Vorarlberg to a local consortium. The purchase price remains confidential, but the portfolio includes 24 residential buildings. The proceeds will be used for expansion.
*
The Vienna Stock Exchange will remove PC game maker JoWooD and S&T System Integration & Technology Distribution AG from its prime market segment as of September 20. JoWooD will join the market continuous segment, while S&T will become part of standard market continuous. 
*
The number of employees in Austria stood at 4.081m in the second quarter of 2010, which was almost unchanged in annual terms, Statistik Austria reported. 

Austrian economic news in a flash

(The most important economic news in Austria from 15 September)
 
Telekom Austria (TA) has taken over Bulgarian Internet suppliers Megalan Network AD and Spectrum Net AD for EUR 83m. The deal is awaiting regulatory approval in Bulgaria. With the takeovers, Mobiltel, the local TA unit, aims to become a fully integrated telecommunications provider. The company plans to take advantage of the estimated great potential in the development of Bulgaria's broadband Internet market.

*
Austria's annual inflation rate decreased to 1.7% in August, its lowest level since February this year. In July the rate was 1.9%. The prices were boosted by home, water and energy costs, as well as by transport expenses. In a monthly comparison, the inflation rate was 0.2%. The EU-harmonised consumer price index came in at 1.6%, Statistik Austria said.

*
Austria's index for construction of residential buildings costs rose 3.4% to 119.8 points in August, the country's statistical office said.

Austrian economic news in a flash

(The most important economic news in Austria from 14 September)

Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment (SBO) has taken over 100% in Dubai-based Drilling Systems International Ltd. The purchase price was not disclosed. The acquired company generates around USD 30m in sales per year.

*
Auto parts supplier Miba agreed to buy the off-road business of Hoerbiger Antriebstechnik in a move to expand its friction activities. Miba will also take over Hoerbiger Drive Technology India Pvt.
*
Fibre producer Lenzing plans to issue an up to EUR 120m bond this autumn. The proceeds will be used for boosting the engagement in India and China and for cutting the firm's debt.
*
The provincial government of Carinthia has given a positive environmental impact assessment on the planned gas/heat power plant in Klagenfurt. The EUR 330m plant is to produce 400 MW of electricity and 200 MW of heat. Leading utility Verbund will own 50% in the plant.
*
Notebook producer Quanmax has decided to take over the assets of insolvent funworld AG for EUR 2.2m.

German chart comments - Issue date - 10.09.2010

(complete chart here - http://www.viva.tv/charts/viva-top-100-kw-35-2010-59/ )

No changes at the top of the German singles chart this week with Yolanda Be Cool & Dcup's dance smash "We No Speak Americano" standing there for yet another week. Unlike the steady top three from the last few weeks, this time around Hurts's wonderful "Wonderful Life" switches places with Eminem and Rihanna who claim the runner-up slot for the first time. 

The highest new entry comes at #10 from dance project Laserkraft 3D, whose catchy "Nein, Mann!" leads four consecutive new entries. It is followed by Linkin Park's "The Catalyst" at #11. The song is the pilot single from the guys latest album "A Thousand Suns" and by entering just outside the top ten fails (for now) to join the top-ten success of singles such as "Numb/Encore"; "What I've Done" and "New Divide", which have all peaked at #4.

Next comes the comeback single of Juli, one of the best German bands around, at #12. "Elektrisches Gefühl" marks the release of Juli's third album and becomes the third most successful single of the group after classic "Perfekte Welle" (peak #2) and "Diesen Leben" (peak #5). 

Just behind Juli comes in the latest single of Ne-Yo, whose worldwide hit "Beautiful Monster" has charted atop in UK, but in Germany for now has to please itself with #13. The R&B star has been only once in the German top ten with his smash "Closer" (peak #4) from 2008. 

And quick thoughts on some of the other worthy new entries this week:

#22 Monrose - "This is Me" - the second single from the "German Sugababes"' latest album sees the girls experimenting with new style and despite that the song is quite good it has the honour to be their second least successful single ever.

#30 Phil Collins - "(Love Is Like A) Heatwave" - It has been six years since Phil "the legend" Collins was last in the German charts with "No Way Out" which reached #74, while he was last in the top 20 with "Can’t Stop Loving You", peaking at #11 in 2002.

#34 Brandon Flowers - "Crossfire" - the debut solo single of The Killers vocalist is not only a great song but boasts a great video with the participation of one Charlize Theron. It deserves a better placing. 

Info - Wikipedia

Charts compiled by Media Control