Builder Strabag said its net profit edged down 1% to EUR 116.4m in the first nine months of 2010. EBIT grew 10% to EUR 192.7m, which was attributed to consolidation effects. Construction output went down 3% to EUR 9.097bn. The company experienced negative trends in Germany and Hungary. Strabag confirmed its expectations for an output of EUR 12.9bn for full 2010. The result is to increase by 1.5% in both 2011 and 2012.
*
Raiffeisen International said its consolidated profit soared 104.5% to EUR 318m in the first nine months of 2010 mainly due to reduced credit risk provisions. The operating profit fell 16% to EUR 1.354bn because of lower interested income. The bank did not give an outlook for full 2010.
*
Fibre producer Lenzing said it will raise the prices of its products by at least 10% as of the next year. The move is attributed to the strong increase in raw material costs.
*
C.A.T. oil said its sales grew 10.2% to EUR 65.4m in the third quarter of 2010 driven by increased oil demand and higher capacity utilisation. The EBIT however fell 19% to EUR 9m. The company confirmed its full-year forecast for sales of between EUR 215m and EUR 225m.
*
Austria's financial market authority prolonged its ban on short sale of shares of Erste Group, Raiffeisen Bank International, Uniqa and Vienna Insurance Group until May 31, 2011.
*
Standard and Poor's improved its long-term credit rating on Atrium European Real Estate to BB from BB-, with a "stable" outlook. The short-term rating was maintained at B.
*
Austria's purchasing managers index, measured by Bank Austria, fell slightly to 55.2 points in November. It however still shows growth as it stands above the 50 point threshold. The index was supported by the strong order volume at the industry, which is leading to growth in employment.
*
Builder Porr said it has received an order to construct the biggest stadium in Libya. The total volume of the contract stands at EUR 200m. The order will be implemented together with Turkish Renaissance, in a joint venture with Libyan Investment Development Company.
*
Austria's vegetable production fell 1% to 589,600 tonnes in 2010, Statistik Austria reported. The production however rose 7% compared to the long-term average.
вторник, 30 ноември 2010 г.
In BG Cinemas from Nov 26
Следващите три дни/The Next Three Days - The latest Russell Crowe thriller does not boast any substantial qualities, but at least has the merit of being entertaining throughout most of its running time. And despite heavily influenced by classics such as The Fugitive, it offers one or two surprises on the way. In other words, it is the second Crowe movie of the year (the other being Robin Hood) which though hated by critics is worth its two hours. In addition, we will see Elizabeth Banks (remember her?) in a major role in quite a long time. Forum Film
Trailer
Trailer
понеделник, 29 ноември 2010 г.
German chart comments - Issue date - 26.11.2010
While IZ marks a second month atop the German singles chart, it's up to Bruno Mars and his first solo single to challenge the crown. "Just The Way You Are", which already hits number one in UK and USA, was always destined to be a huge hit in Germany and by entering at #2 cements the song status as one of the global hits of 2010. It improves by far the performance of Mars' other appearances in the chart as a guest singer for B.o.B. ("Nothin’ on You" reached #22) and Travie McCoy ("Billionaire" peaked at #16).
Video
The next new entry of the week comes in at #9. Edita Abdieski is the first winner of the German X Factor edition and as I've heard the show impact in Germany has nothing to do with the success of Deutschland sucht den Superstar. Nevertheless, "I've Come To Life" succeeds to penetrate the top ten with almost zero promotion (it had no video at the time the chart was calculated) and manages to turn the music fans attention to the singer (at least mine). Time will tell, whether the current rotation on VIVA will have any impact on the sales.
Video
The #17 sees the return of US rap star Nelly to the chart after a two-year absence. Not only that but Nelly hasn't been in the top 20 since "Nasty Girl" in 2005. His biggest hit in Germany is of course the number one smash "Dilemma" but perhaps it is more interesting that the man has four songs which peaked at #8 in the country.
Video
Further down the countdown, rock band (is this rock really?) Linking Park bring another song to the top 30, with "Waiting For The End". Despite not among the guys' best chart placements, it at least is not a complete flop as in other parts of the world.
Video
It is a shame that one of the best German bands from the last few years, Polarkreis 18, fails to enter the top 30 with its newest single, the beautiful "Unendliche Sinfonie". The song comes new at #35 and is a far cry from the number one success of "Allein Allein". The new song marks the release of the boys' fourth studio album.
Video
And the remaining new entries with videos:
#49 Victoria S - One In A Million
Video
#56 Selena Gomez & The Scene - A Year Without Rain - It's a good pop song but has the honour to be the least successful chart-entering single of Selena in Germany.
Video
#61 Tim Berg - Seek Bromance - This catchy dance track has to be higher.
Video
#67 Reamonn - Colder
Video
#77 Fabian Buch - Merry, Merry Christmas
Video
Info - Wikipedia
Videos - Youtube
Video
The next new entry of the week comes in at #9. Edita Abdieski is the first winner of the German X Factor edition and as I've heard the show impact in Germany has nothing to do with the success of Deutschland sucht den Superstar. Nevertheless, "I've Come To Life" succeeds to penetrate the top ten with almost zero promotion (it had no video at the time the chart was calculated) and manages to turn the music fans attention to the singer (at least mine). Time will tell, whether the current rotation on VIVA will have any impact on the sales.
Video
The #17 sees the return of US rap star Nelly to the chart after a two-year absence. Not only that but Nelly hasn't been in the top 20 since "Nasty Girl" in 2005. His biggest hit in Germany is of course the number one smash "Dilemma" but perhaps it is more interesting that the man has four songs which peaked at #8 in the country.
Video
Further down the countdown, rock band (is this rock really?) Linking Park bring another song to the top 30, with "Waiting For The End". Despite not among the guys' best chart placements, it at least is not a complete flop as in other parts of the world.
Video
It is a shame that one of the best German bands from the last few years, Polarkreis 18, fails to enter the top 30 with its newest single, the beautiful "Unendliche Sinfonie". The song comes new at #35 and is a far cry from the number one success of "Allein Allein". The new song marks the release of the boys' fourth studio album.
Video
And the remaining new entries with videos:
#49 Victoria S - One In A Million
Video
#56 Selena Gomez & The Scene - A Year Without Rain - It's a good pop song but has the honour to be the least successful chart-entering single of Selena in Germany.
Video
#61 Tim Berg - Seek Bromance - This catchy dance track has to be higher.
Video
#67 Reamonn - Colder
Video
#77 Fabian Buch - Merry, Merry Christmas
Video
Info - Wikipedia
Videos - Youtube
Austrian economic news in a flash - 26 November 2010
Insurer Uniqa said its pretax profit soared 142.7% to EUR 103m in the first nine months of 2010, despite being burdened by EUR 98m from the bank tax in Hungary. Premium income grew 10.2% to EUR 4.7bn. The company raised its full-year pretax profit forecast to EUR 135m.
*
Motorcycle maker KTM Power Sport AG said it expects EBIT of between EUR 28m and EUR 29m for full 2010/11, up from EUR 22.4m a year earlier. The growth will be because of improved business development in October and September.
*
Vienna Insurance Group said it has closed the full takeover of Dutch TBIH. VIG first bought into TBIH in 2006.
*
Hotel group Vienna International said it expects revenues of some EUR 180m for full 2010, up from EUR 134.8m for 2009. The utilisation at all hotels is extremely good, a spokesperson told APA news agency.
*
The Turkish antitrust authorities have approved the takeover of local Petrol Ofisi by oil and gas group OMV. However, further green lights are still pending, OMV said.
*
Catering company Do&Co has set the issue price for its current capital hike at EUR 21.90 apiece, expecting to raise about EUR 40m from the transaction. The shares will be listed on the Istanbul stock exchange and will widen the firm's free float to 47% from 19%.
*
Raaba-based machinery group AE&E Austria GmbH & Co KG, part of insolvent A-Tec, has also filed for insolvency. The company's liabilities are estimated at EUR 227m and it has assets of EUR 119m. The insolvency will affect around 600 suppliers and 376 employees. The insolvency proceedings were opened on Friday. AE&E Austria has enough funds to continue operating for the next 90 days and currently talks with three interested buyers are currently being held.
*
Motorcycle maker KTM Power Sport AG said it expects EBIT of between EUR 28m and EUR 29m for full 2010/11, up from EUR 22.4m a year earlier. The growth will be because of improved business development in October and September.
*
Vienna Insurance Group said it has closed the full takeover of Dutch TBIH. VIG first bought into TBIH in 2006.
*
Hotel group Vienna International said it expects revenues of some EUR 180m for full 2010, up from EUR 134.8m for 2009. The utilisation at all hotels is extremely good, a spokesperson told APA news agency.
*
The Turkish antitrust authorities have approved the takeover of local Petrol Ofisi by oil and gas group OMV. However, further green lights are still pending, OMV said.
*
Catering company Do&Co has set the issue price for its current capital hike at EUR 21.90 apiece, expecting to raise about EUR 40m from the transaction. The shares will be listed on the Istanbul stock exchange and will widen the firm's free float to 47% from 19%.
*
Raaba-based machinery group AE&E Austria GmbH & Co KG, part of insolvent A-Tec, has also filed for insolvency. The company's liabilities are estimated at EUR 227m and it has assets of EUR 119m. The insolvency will affect around 600 suppliers and 376 employees. The insolvency proceedings were opened on Friday. AE&E Austria has enough funds to continue operating for the next 90 days and currently talks with three interested buyers are currently being held.
Austrian economic news in a flash - 25 November 2010
Austrian machinery group Hirsch Servo AG closed the first quarter of its 2010/11 fiscal year with a pretax profit of EUR 0.23m, compared to a loss of EUR 1.31m a year earlier. Sales rose 27% to EUR 25.1m. The company said it has agreed on extension of its bank loan terms.
*
Sparkassen Immobilien AG posted a net profit of EUR 1.3m for the first nine months of 2010, compared to a loss of EUR 71.6m in the same period last year. The company's income grew to EUR 126.2m from EUR 112.1m. S Immo said it sees growth chances in Austria and Germany and is examining currently new projects and acquisitions.
*
The supervisory board of OMV has expressed its support for the company's CEO Wolfgang Ruttenstorfer, despite the investigation against the latter on suspicion of inside trading.
*
EnerjiSA Gruppe, the Turkish joint venture of utility Verbund, has filed offers for the buy of three power grids in the country. A total of 15 companies are interested in the privatisation of the grids.
*
Japanese KDDI is said to be interested in IT services provider S&T, Format reported. According to the weekly, currently the stake of insolvent AvW in S&T, as well as shares of S&T, are being offered for sale.
*
Sparkassen Immobilien AG posted a net profit of EUR 1.3m for the first nine months of 2010, compared to a loss of EUR 71.6m in the same period last year. The company's income grew to EUR 126.2m from EUR 112.1m. S Immo said it sees growth chances in Austria and Germany and is examining currently new projects and acquisitions.
*
The supervisory board of OMV has expressed its support for the company's CEO Wolfgang Ruttenstorfer, despite the investigation against the latter on suspicion of inside trading.
*
EnerjiSA Gruppe, the Turkish joint venture of utility Verbund, has filed offers for the buy of three power grids in the country. A total of 15 companies are interested in the privatisation of the grids.
*
Japanese KDDI is said to be interested in IT services provider S&T, Format reported. According to the weekly, currently the stake of insolvent AvW in S&T, as well as shares of S&T, are being offered for sale.
четвъртък, 25 ноември 2010 г.
Austrian economic news in a flash - November 24
Top Story
Real estate company conwert said its net profit soared 112% to EUR 45.4m in the first three quarters of 2010. EBIT rose 51% to EUR 45.4m. All segments have contributed to the positive results, the firm said. The rental income rose 10% to EUR 131.3m.
*
Top Story
SW Umwelttechnik said its sales rose 15% to EUR 54.2m in the first nine months of the year. EBIT grew by EUR 3.4m to EUR 0.9m, thus returning to a profit figure compared to the same period last year. The company sees good growth chances in Hungary and Romania.
*
Vienna Insurance Group has decided to postpone the issue of an up to EUR 500m bond. A spokesman for the insurer told APA news agency that the company was not in hurry and would observe the market development.
*
Top Story
Austria's competition authorities have green lighted the merger between local Bwin and UK PartyGaming. Germany has also approved the transaction and it is seen completing at the start of 2011.
*
Top Story
Insolvent industrial holding A-Tec has opened insolvency proceedings also against its subsidiary, technology group AE&E. The proceeds from the sale of AE&E's assets will be used for covering the liabilities of the parent. The move follows days of intensive speculations over the sale of AE&E. The subsidiary, with annual sales of around EUR 1.8bn, employs 5,000.
*
Standard & Poors has improved the outlook on the ratings of Erste Bank and its Czech subsidiary Ceska to "stable" from "negative". The long- and short-term ratings of Erste were kept at A and A-, respectively.
*
Top Story
Real estate developer CA Immo posted a net profit of EUR 13.5m for the first three quarters of 2010, compared to a loss of EUR 78.3m a year earlier when the firm was hit by large-scale write-offs. The company sees a continuation of the positive trends by the end of the year.
*
Top Story
Verbund managed to place 39.215m new shares in its latest capital hike, at an issue price of EUR 25.50. This will result in proceeds of about EUR 1bn to be used for capital structure improvement and the utility's long-term investment plan. The Austrian state used its subscription rights in full in order to retain the mandatory stake of 51% in the firm.
*
Austria's production index for industry and construction fell 1.6% in monthly terms in September, Statistik Austria reported. The index rose 3.6% in annual comparison.
*
The number of overnight stays in Austria grew 1.3% to 62.47m in May to October,
which was a record-high result since 1995, Statistik Austria said. The number of tourists
grew 3.9% to 17.91m.
Real estate company conwert said its net profit soared 112% to EUR 45.4m in the first three quarters of 2010. EBIT rose 51% to EUR 45.4m. All segments have contributed to the positive results, the firm said. The rental income rose 10% to EUR 131.3m.
*
Top Story
SW Umwelttechnik said its sales rose 15% to EUR 54.2m in the first nine months of the year. EBIT grew by EUR 3.4m to EUR 0.9m, thus returning to a profit figure compared to the same period last year. The company sees good growth chances in Hungary and Romania.
*
Vienna Insurance Group has decided to postpone the issue of an up to EUR 500m bond. A spokesman for the insurer told APA news agency that the company was not in hurry and would observe the market development.
*
Top Story
Austria's competition authorities have green lighted the merger between local Bwin and UK PartyGaming. Germany has also approved the transaction and it is seen completing at the start of 2011.
*
Top Story
Insolvent industrial holding A-Tec has opened insolvency proceedings also against its subsidiary, technology group AE&E. The proceeds from the sale of AE&E's assets will be used for covering the liabilities of the parent. The move follows days of intensive speculations over the sale of AE&E. The subsidiary, with annual sales of around EUR 1.8bn, employs 5,000.
*
Standard & Poors has improved the outlook on the ratings of Erste Bank and its Czech subsidiary Ceska to "stable" from "negative". The long- and short-term ratings of Erste were kept at A and A-, respectively.
*
Top Story
Real estate developer CA Immo posted a net profit of EUR 13.5m for the first three quarters of 2010, compared to a loss of EUR 78.3m a year earlier when the firm was hit by large-scale write-offs. The company sees a continuation of the positive trends by the end of the year.
*
Top Story
Verbund managed to place 39.215m new shares in its latest capital hike, at an issue price of EUR 25.50. This will result in proceeds of about EUR 1bn to be used for capital structure improvement and the utility's long-term investment plan. The Austrian state used its subscription rights in full in order to retain the mandatory stake of 51% in the firm.
*
Austria's production index for industry and construction fell 1.6% in monthly terms in September, Statistik Austria reported. The index rose 3.6% in annual comparison.
*
сряда, 24 ноември 2010 г.
Austrian economic news in a flash - 23 November 2010
Meinl Bank has filed a claim for around EUR 1.2bn in damages against its former affiliate Atrium. The latter said it will now examine how to react to the suit. Meinl Bank is accusing Atrium's management and its shareholders that they had harmed investors with the decision to abandon a capital hike and to convert a bond into Atrium's shares.
*
ECO Business Immobilien AG, subsidiary of Conwert, said it posted a net profit of EUR 9.1m for the first three quarters of 2010, compared to a loss of EUR 8.2m a year earlier. The company expects an increase in full-2010 profit and EBIT. The rental income decreased to EUR 41.1m due to properties sale in the first nine months of the year. ECO Business' income from divestments soared to EUR 4.3m due to the sale of the prominent Opernringhof building in Vienna's downtown. The company said it does not need refinancing by the end of 2010.
*
Michael Häupl, Vienna's mayor, has confirmed to Austria's daily Heute that at least one of the executive board members of Vienna Airport will have to take responsibility for the scandal around the ever-swelling costs at the Skylink terminal expansion project. The supervisory board of the company will discuss this Wednesday on the matter. Vienna owns around 20% in the airport operator.
*
Bulgaria's foreign minister Nickolay Mladenov has expressed the country's commitment to the OMV-lead Nabucco gas pipeline project, which will diversify the gas supply in Europe and lower the dependency on Russian imports.
*
Austria's Audit Court has recommended a capital increase for Vienna Airport due to the growth in its net liabilities to EUR 613.9m and the planned investments of above EUR 1.28bn, Standard reported. The court also said the entire management board is responsible for the Skylink terminal project, but its stop was decided by CFO Ernest Gabmann alone, the paper added.
*
The number of used car registrations in Austria decreased 4.4% year-on-year to 74,166, Statistics Austria reported. In monthly comparison the fall was 9.9%.
*
ECO Business Immobilien AG, subsidiary of Conwert, said it posted a net profit of EUR 9.1m for the first three quarters of 2010, compared to a loss of EUR 8.2m a year earlier. The company expects an increase in full-2010 profit and EBIT. The rental income decreased to EUR 41.1m due to properties sale in the first nine months of the year. ECO Business' income from divestments soared to EUR 4.3m due to the sale of the prominent Opernringhof building in Vienna's downtown. The company said it does not need refinancing by the end of 2010.
*
Michael Häupl, Vienna's mayor, has confirmed to Austria's daily Heute that at least one of the executive board members of Vienna Airport will have to take responsibility for the scandal around the ever-swelling costs at the Skylink terminal expansion project. The supervisory board of the company will discuss this Wednesday on the matter. Vienna owns around 20% in the airport operator.
*
Bulgaria's foreign minister Nickolay Mladenov has expressed the country's commitment to the OMV-lead Nabucco gas pipeline project, which will diversify the gas supply in Europe and lower the dependency on Russian imports.
*
Austria's Audit Court has recommended a capital increase for Vienna Airport due to the growth in its net liabilities to EUR 613.9m and the planned investments of above EUR 1.28bn, Standard reported. The court also said the entire management board is responsible for the Skylink terminal project, but its stop was decided by CFO Ernest Gabmann alone, the paper added.
*
The number of used car registrations in Austria decreased 4.4% year-on-year to 74,166, Statistics Austria reported. In monthly comparison the fall was 9.9%.
вторник, 23 ноември 2010 г.
German chart comments in brief
After storming the charts all over the world, Bruno Mars is spreading his dominance over Germany as well, with his smash "Just The Way You Are" entering in the top 3. It's not that he managed to take the crown...
Further down the top 10, Edita Abdieski, the first winner at the German version of X Factor, makes a respectful though not remarkable debut.
US rapper Nelly also returns to the top 20, while rock (?) band Linkin Park barely make it to the top 30.
Further down the top 10, Edita Abdieski, the first winner at the German version of X Factor, makes a respectful though not remarkable debut.
US rapper Nelly also returns to the top 20, while rock (?) band Linkin Park barely make it to the top 30.
Austrian economic news in a flash - November 22
Atrium Real Estate said it posted a pretax profit of EUR 120.3m for the first nine months of the year, compared to a loss of EUR 374.5m a year earlier, due to the stabilisation of the markets in CEE. The net rental income rose 12.8% to EUR 100.2m. The board has decided to raise the annual dividends to EUR 0.14 per share.
*
Pankl Racing Systems AG said it raised its net profit to EUR 3.3m for fiscal 2009/10, from EUR 1.2m a year earlier. Sales went down 2% to EUR 87.55m, the company said confirming already released preliminary results. The figures show the success of the implemented revamp measures, Pankl added.
*
Real estate firm Immofinanz needs EUR 760m for refinancing of its bonds, CEO Eduard Zehetner told Kurier. He further said the company's stock is currently considerably undervalued and Immofinanz will stick to its dividend plans as long as the refinancing of its convertible bonds is secured. Zehetner also added that he was certain the company would avoid the fate of industrial holding A-Tec, which had to declare insolvency after failing to serve its bonds.
*
Austrian Airlines said it will refit part of its medium-haul fleet with new seats produced by Recaro Aircraft Seating. The new seats will be lighter and will result in additional space on the planes, as well as less fuel and bring more comfort to the passengers. In addition, AUA said it is cancelling its savings programmes in regard on-board catering.
*
Troubled bank ÖVAG said it managed to return to the profit zone, with a net result of EUR 56.6m in the first nine months of the year, after a loss of EUR 488m a year earlier. The company's 2009 results were hit by write-offs of some EUR 607m. ÖVAG predicts a pretax profit in the high double digit million range for full 2010.
*
Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited has placed a EUR 42m order with Siemens Austria for the production of 35 trailer cars for the city's elevated rapid transit system. In addition, Siemens will participate in the electrification of the line's extension.
*
Pankl Racing Systems AG said it raised its net profit to EUR 3.3m for fiscal 2009/10, from EUR 1.2m a year earlier. Sales went down 2% to EUR 87.55m, the company said confirming already released preliminary results. The figures show the success of the implemented revamp measures, Pankl added.
*
Real estate firm Immofinanz needs EUR 760m for refinancing of its bonds, CEO Eduard Zehetner told Kurier. He further said the company's stock is currently considerably undervalued and Immofinanz will stick to its dividend plans as long as the refinancing of its convertible bonds is secured. Zehetner also added that he was certain the company would avoid the fate of industrial holding A-Tec, which had to declare insolvency after failing to serve its bonds.
*
Austrian Airlines said it will refit part of its medium-haul fleet with new seats produced by Recaro Aircraft Seating. The new seats will be lighter and will result in additional space on the planes, as well as less fuel and bring more comfort to the passengers. In addition, AUA said it is cancelling its savings programmes in regard on-board catering.
*
Troubled bank ÖVAG said it managed to return to the profit zone, with a net result of EUR 56.6m in the first nine months of the year, after a loss of EUR 488m a year earlier. The company's 2009 results were hit by write-offs of some EUR 607m. ÖVAG predicts a pretax profit in the high double digit million range for full 2010.
*
Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited has placed a EUR 42m order with Siemens Austria for the production of 35 trailer cars for the city's elevated rapid transit system. In addition, Siemens will participate in the electrification of the line's extension.
понеделник, 22 ноември 2010 г.
Austrian economic news in a flash - November 19
Fire fighting vehicles maker Rosenbauer said it raised its net profit 28.2% to EUR 25m in the first nine months of 2010. EBIT grew 22.4% to EUR 33.3m. Sales went up 12.5% to EUR 374.4m and the company said it projects sales of above EUR 600m for full 2010, as well as a record-high EBIT result.
*
Fibre producer Lenzing AG plans to carry out a share split at a one-to-seven ratio and has invited its shareholders to vote on the move on December 10.
*
Wiener AutoBank AG has started trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange with an initial share price of EUR 2.50, which corresponded to the share's set issue price. With the proceeds from the IPO, the company aims to boost its equity basis.
*
OMV wants to make Turkey its third business hub, CEO Wolfgang Ruttenstorfer said. Therefore, currently there are talks over the company's participation in the planned Ceyhan refinery in southern Turkey. The country is to act as a bridge towards northern Iraq and the Caspian region, the CEO added.
*
The talks for the sale of AE&E, a subsidiary of insolvent A-Tec, to Hong Kong-based Mass Financial Corp have collapsed, Wiener Zeitung reported. The reason for the withdrawal of MFC was the lack of time for a detailed review at the situation at AE&E. Furthermore, it became clear that the discussions with Austrian investor Ronny Pecik and the Christof group have also fallen through. However, A-Tec's creditor committee is still confident that there would be a solution securing the group's future.
*
TUI Austria has completed the takeover of GEO Reisen, based in Salzburg, in a move to boost its sales network in the country.
*
Bank für Tirol und Vorarlber, or BTV, said its pretax profit for the first three quarters of 2010 rose 12.5% to EUR 47.7m, while the result of Bank für Kärnten und Steiermark, or BKS, grew 12.2% to EUR 35.8m. The two banks are part of the 3-Banken-Gruppe.
*
The food production business of Austrian renowned firm Meinl will most probably be transferred to a foreign country, Trend magazine reported. The jam production will be relocated to Trentino-Alto Adige, while the coffee production may be also transferred to Italy, Marcel Löffler, CEO of Julius Meinl Industrieholding, said. He, however, rejected that the company was in need of a capital injection of some EUR 40m to EUR 50m.
*
Austria's industrial production index rose 3.3% year-on-year in September 2010, boosted by the prices of intermediate goods, Statistik Austria reported. In a monthly comparison, the index grew 0.3%.
*
Fibre producer Lenzing AG plans to carry out a share split at a one-to-seven ratio and has invited its shareholders to vote on the move on December 10.
*
Wiener AutoBank AG has started trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange with an initial share price of EUR 2.50, which corresponded to the share's set issue price. With the proceeds from the IPO, the company aims to boost its equity basis.
*
OMV wants to make Turkey its third business hub, CEO Wolfgang Ruttenstorfer said. Therefore, currently there are talks over the company's participation in the planned Ceyhan refinery in southern Turkey. The country is to act as a bridge towards northern Iraq and the Caspian region, the CEO added.
*
The talks for the sale of AE&E, a subsidiary of insolvent A-Tec, to Hong Kong-based Mass Financial Corp have collapsed, Wiener Zeitung reported. The reason for the withdrawal of MFC was the lack of time for a detailed review at the situation at AE&E. Furthermore, it became clear that the discussions with Austrian investor Ronny Pecik and the Christof group have also fallen through. However, A-Tec's creditor committee is still confident that there would be a solution securing the group's future.
*
TUI Austria has completed the takeover of GEO Reisen, based in Salzburg, in a move to boost its sales network in the country.
*
Bank für Tirol und Vorarlber, or BTV, said its pretax profit for the first three quarters of 2010 rose 12.5% to EUR 47.7m, while the result of Bank für Kärnten und Steiermark, or BKS, grew 12.2% to EUR 35.8m. The two banks are part of the 3-Banken-Gruppe.
*
The food production business of Austrian renowned firm Meinl will most probably be transferred to a foreign country, Trend magazine reported. The jam production will be relocated to Trentino-Alto Adige, while the coffee production may be also transferred to Italy, Marcel Löffler, CEO of Julius Meinl Industrieholding, said. He, however, rejected that the company was in need of a capital injection of some EUR 40m to EUR 50m.
*
Austria's industrial production index rose 3.3% year-on-year in September 2010, boosted by the prices of intermediate goods, Statistik Austria reported. In a monthly comparison, the index grew 0.3%.
In BG Cinemas from Nov 19
Хари Потър и даровете на смъртта: Част 1 (2010)/Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I - As I'm a huge fan not only of the Harry Potter books but also of the films (all six of them I've watched four-five times each on the big screen), I was more than glad when I heard that Warner Bros wanted to divide the last instalment into two parts, with the idea being that every character would get the end he/she/it deserves. Come November 2010 and the first part is already in the cinemas, and though it's not a bad movie, not at all, I'd lie if I say that I don't feel betrayed by Warner and the film's creators. Minor spoilers ahead... So what about the promised ends - where was the Dursleys farewell, a tiny, but crucial nice element in the book, why was the Hedwig death only a blink and you'll miss it event, where was the death of Madeye Moody and what the hell happened to Wormtail? And having in mind that crucial elements of the Dumbledore and Severus Snape backstories, which were in the first part of the book, were skipped, that doesn't bode well for the second chapter (at least in terms of script)... But, as I really cannot hate an HP movie, and perhaps I'm a little too harsh as the things are coming to their close and my expectations were different and too high, I have to point out to the good aspects of Deathly Hallows Part One. First of all - many scenes are great - the seven Potters transformation, the break into the Ministry of Magic, the will of Dumbledore, the Dobby farewell, the destroying of the medallion... but most of all - every single scene in the Malfoy Mansion was excellent. And once again the baddies had the meaty roles, doing best with the too-short screen time they had, Alan Rickman and Ralph Fiennes were great as always, but Helena Bonham Carter once again proved as if the role of Bellatrix Lestrange was written especially for her. Another things on the plus side - the cinematography was superb, the new music of Alexandre Desplat (despite the lack of legend John Williams) was a worthy addition to the Potter universe and the chemistry between the three leads is perfect. And we should not forget that the story of the Deathly Hallows and the three brothers was displayed wonderfully with animation. To sum it up - if you are not a Potter fan by now, don't expect this to convert you, if you are a big Potter fan - leave your expectations at the front door and enjoy it, because sadly there is only one to go...
* And as I'm going to watch it several times in the next weeks, perhaps I'll change my mind on some of the flaws of the movie... Alexandra
Trailer
Пак ли ти?/You Again - The latest comedy from Disney comes heavy on the big stars - Jamie Lee Curtis and Sigourney Weaver together!, and according to some of my friends, heavy on the laughs. Most of the critics say otherwise, but I still haven't watched it to have a definite opinion. At least, I'm certain, that despite the lack of any profundity, the title will make you smile for an hour and a half. Forum Film
Trailer
* And as I'm going to watch it several times in the next weeks, perhaps I'll change my mind on some of the flaws of the movie... Alexandra
Trailer
Trailer
неделя, 21 ноември 2010 г.
German chart comments - Issue date - 19.11.2010
It seems that no-one has the power for the time being to remove IZ from the top of the German singles chart, where the singer from Hawaii stands for a seventh week in a row. The biggest news in the top three is the #22-#3 jump of Empire Of The Sun's "We Are The People". As I wrote last week, the song, now some two years old, was used in an advertisement, which as it seems triggered a huge demand and managed to propel it to the upper reaches of the countdown. We may say a lot of negative things about the influence of TV on music consumption these days, but when the song is actually this good, who cares?
Video
Two new singles enter the chart in its top ten. First of them is Pink, whose "Raise Your Glass" marks the release of the superstar first best of album. As a record, it is a typical Pink song, with more or less a typical Pink video. But actually the formula works for yet another time, as "Raise Your Glass" is Pink's twelfth top ten single in Germany.
Video
A place behind Pink, at #6, comes another global superstar, in the face of Shakira. Her previous single "Waka Waka" is currently battling for the crown of the best selling song in Germany for 2010, while her latest "Loca" comes from the freshly released "Sale El Sol" LP. It is Shakira's ninth top ten single in Germany.
Video
As they were deprived from the #1 spot in their native UK, the boys from Take That also fail to bring their latest single "The Flood" in the top 10 in Germany. We all know what is the special about the song, as it includes the vocals of Robbie Williams for the first time after he left the group 15 years ago. Still, this, unfortunately, was not enough to result in enormous sales for the great song and it charts new at #12. As a matter of fact, after their reunion in 2006, Take That had only one top ten single in Germany with the number-one "Patience", while Mr. Williams continues to be one of the biggest stars in the country, far more successful than in the UK. Nevertheless, we can be sure that the latest album of the guys will be sold in enormous quantities in Germany as it broke records in UK.
Video
The next new entry comes in at #17 from Eminem, whose previous offering "Love the Way You Lie" was (and is still) a big hit in Germany. His lastest, "No Love", comes on the waves of a lot of criticism on how Eminem has handled the 90s eurodance classic "What Is Love" by Haddaway. Thus, depending on your point of view, you will hate it or love it. And, surprisingly Haddaway was never number one in Germany...
Video
At #24 we can find "Who Owns My Heart", the latest offering by teen sensation Miley Cyrus. She may be adored by children and teens all around the world, but Miley has only three top 30 singles in Germany, with this being one of them...
Video
Further down the chart, German legend Nena brings her latest single at #39. "Haus Der Drei Sonnen" is a collaboration with Peter Heppner and is a remake of a Nena single from 1985. The new version is included in Nena's forthcoming best of album and at least manages to improve on the original's #43 peak.
Video
Video
#51 Fettes Brot - Amsterdam - A great song, check it out!
Video
#78 The Wombats - Tokyo - The first song of the UK band to enter the German charts.
Video
#81 Remady feat. Lumidee - No Superstar
Video
#84 Afrojack feat. Eva Simons - Take Over Control - Great party track
Video
#89 Brings - Wir Wollen Niemals Auseinander Geh'n
Video
#90 Wir Sind Helden - Bring Mich Nach Hause
Video
#94 My Chemical Romance - Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)
Video
Video
Two new singles enter the chart in its top ten. First of them is Pink, whose "Raise Your Glass" marks the release of the superstar first best of album. As a record, it is a typical Pink song, with more or less a typical Pink video. But actually the formula works for yet another time, as "Raise Your Glass" is Pink's twelfth top ten single in Germany.
Video
A place behind Pink, at #6, comes another global superstar, in the face of Shakira. Her previous single "Waka Waka" is currently battling for the crown of the best selling song in Germany for 2010, while her latest "Loca" comes from the freshly released "Sale El Sol" LP. It is Shakira's ninth top ten single in Germany.
Video
As they were deprived from the #1 spot in their native UK, the boys from Take That also fail to bring their latest single "The Flood" in the top 10 in Germany. We all know what is the special about the song, as it includes the vocals of Robbie Williams for the first time after he left the group 15 years ago. Still, this, unfortunately, was not enough to result in enormous sales for the great song and it charts new at #12. As a matter of fact, after their reunion in 2006, Take That had only one top ten single in Germany with the number-one "Patience", while Mr. Williams continues to be one of the biggest stars in the country, far more successful than in the UK. Nevertheless, we can be sure that the latest album of the guys will be sold in enormous quantities in Germany as it broke records in UK.
Video
The next new entry comes in at #17 from Eminem, whose previous offering "Love the Way You Lie" was (and is still) a big hit in Germany. His lastest, "No Love", comes on the waves of a lot of criticism on how Eminem has handled the 90s eurodance classic "What Is Love" by Haddaway. Thus, depending on your point of view, you will hate it or love it. And, surprisingly Haddaway was never number one in Germany...
Video
At #24 we can find "Who Owns My Heart", the latest offering by teen sensation Miley Cyrus. She may be adored by children and teens all around the world, but Miley has only three top 30 singles in Germany, with this being one of them...
Video
Further down the chart, German legend Nena brings her latest single at #39. "Haus Der Drei Sonnen" is a collaboration with Peter Heppner and is a remake of a Nena single from 1985. The new version is included in Nena's forthcoming best of album and at least manages to improve on the original's #43 peak.
Video
And the rest new entries are:
#47 Yann Tiersen - Comptine D'Un Autre Été, L'Après Midi - Taken from the soundtrack of Ameli, I guess an advertisement or a casting show is the reason behind its entry now (Oh, sometimes I wish to live in Germany to know such details...) Video
#51 Fettes Brot - Amsterdam - A great song, check it out!
Video
#78 The Wombats - Tokyo - The first song of the UK band to enter the German charts.
Video
#81 Remady feat. Lumidee - No Superstar
Video
#84 Afrojack feat. Eva Simons - Take Over Control - Great party track
Video
#89 Brings - Wir Wollen Niemals Auseinander Geh'n
Video
#90 Wir Sind Helden - Bring Mich Nach Hause
Video
#94 My Chemical Romance - Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)
Video
Austrian economic news in a flash - 18 November 2010
Steel specialist Voestalpine posted a net profit of EUR 250m for the first half of fiscal 2010/11, compared to the losses it booked a year earlier. The EBIT soared to EUR 441m from EUR 42.7m. Sales went up 24.2% to EUR 5.19bn. The company projects a doubling of its EBIT to EUR 352m for full fiscal year. All company's divisions contributed to the growth in the first six months of the year.
*
Online bookmaker Bwin slipped to a net loss of EUR 6m for the third quarter of 2010 from EUR 7.9m a year earlier, which was attributed to the market entry costs in France. The result for the first three quarters of the year decreased to EUR 8.7m from EUR 26.9m. The gross gaming revenue grew to EUR 123.3m between July and September 2010 from EUR 101m a year earlier.
*
SW Umwelttechnik AG said it has decided to cancel its planned EUR 10m bond issue, whose proceeds would have been used for expansion in Romania. The move was explained with the tough market conditions for small-scale bonds.
*
The planned merger between Bwin and UK PartyGaming is going on according to plan, Bwin's CEO Norbert Teufelberger told APA news agency. He said the companies were certain the tie-up would be completed at the end of the first quarter of 2011. Bwin will not give a concrete forecast for full 2010, the manager added.
*
Siemens AG Oesterreich and Zagreb-based Elektrokem d.o.o. will provide the electronic signalboxes and the outdoor installation for the main motorway in the Croatian capital. The order volume stands at EUR 10.4m, of which Siemens Austria will get over EUR 5m.
*
The executive board of oil and gas group OMV, as well as its works council, expressed their support for OMV's CEO Wolfgang Ruttenstorfer. The latter was accused of insider trading prior to the company's exit from the capital of Hungarian MOL.
*
OMV said it has agreed to divest 56 of its filling stations in the German states of Thuringia and Saxony to a subsidiary of Polish PKN Orlen. No financial details were given.
*
Online bookmaker Bwin slipped to a net loss of EUR 6m for the third quarter of 2010 from EUR 7.9m a year earlier, which was attributed to the market entry costs in France. The result for the first three quarters of the year decreased to EUR 8.7m from EUR 26.9m. The gross gaming revenue grew to EUR 123.3m between July and September 2010 from EUR 101m a year earlier.
*
SW Umwelttechnik AG said it has decided to cancel its planned EUR 10m bond issue, whose proceeds would have been used for expansion in Romania. The move was explained with the tough market conditions for small-scale bonds.
*
The planned merger between Bwin and UK PartyGaming is going on according to plan, Bwin's CEO Norbert Teufelberger told APA news agency. He said the companies were certain the tie-up would be completed at the end of the first quarter of 2011. Bwin will not give a concrete forecast for full 2010, the manager added.
*
Siemens AG Oesterreich and Zagreb-based Elektrokem d.o.o. will provide the electronic signalboxes and the outdoor installation for the main motorway in the Croatian capital. The order volume stands at EUR 10.4m, of which Siemens Austria will get over EUR 5m.
*
The executive board of oil and gas group OMV, as well as its works council, expressed their support for OMV's CEO Wolfgang Ruttenstorfer. The latter was accused of insider trading prior to the company's exit from the capital of Hungarian MOL.
*
OMV said it has agreed to divest 56 of its filling stations in the German states of Thuringia and Saxony to a subsidiary of Polish PKN Orlen. No financial details were given.
четвъртък, 18 ноември 2010 г.
Austrian economic news in a flash - November 17
Top Story
Post AG said its sales decreased 0.6% to EUR 1.713bn in the first nine months of 2010. The company's EBIT rose 1.2% to EUR 94.8m. Post AG said it expects its full 2010 sales to be by around 1% to 2% below the 2009 level, while the EBIT is seen almost unchanged.
*
Top Story
Vienna's prosecution plans to launch a suit against OMV's CEO Wolfgang Ruttenstorfer, accusing him of insider trading. The case concerns the acquisition of shares in OMV just before the company's exit from the capital of Hungarian sector player MOL. Now OMV's supervisory board will have to decide whether to keep Ruttenstorfer at his post. The latter told APA news agency he believed that the transaction was legal at the time of its doing.
*
Real estate company Warimpex posted a net profit of EUR 4.77m for the first three quarters of 2010, compared to a loss of EUR 98.19m a year earlier. Boosted by three new hotels, the revenue grew 21% to EUR 75.22m. The company also said it wants to issue a bond of around 300m Polish zloty.
*
Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment said its sales grew 14% to EUR 215.2m in the first three quarters of the year. The net profit went up 28.5% to EUR 17.4m.
*
Builder Strabag said it had completely taken over h s energieanlagen Österreich (Wien) in a move to strengthen its activities in the field of environmental technology. The company will bear the name Strabag Energietechnik in the future.
*
Telekom Austria has acquired the privatisation documents regarding the sale of 51% in Serbian Telekom Srbija. Apart from Telekom Austria, Deutsche Telekom and France Telecom have also expressed their interest.
*
Notebook maker Quanmax AG said it had received a EUR 3.3m order for simulation terminals from an international industrial company. The order will be processed next year.
*
Linz Textil Holding AG said its pretax profit grew to EUR 7.2m in the first three quarters of 2010 from EUR 1.5m a year earlier boosted by the sale of used machinery. Sales rose to EUR 106.5m from EUR 89m.
*
Post AG said its sales decreased 0.6% to EUR 1.713bn in the first nine months of 2010. The company's EBIT rose 1.2% to EUR 94.8m. Post AG said it expects its full 2010 sales to be by around 1% to 2% below the 2009 level, while the EBIT is seen almost unchanged.
*
Top Story
Vienna's prosecution plans to launch a suit against OMV's CEO Wolfgang Ruttenstorfer, accusing him of insider trading. The case concerns the acquisition of shares in OMV just before the company's exit from the capital of Hungarian sector player MOL. Now OMV's supervisory board will have to decide whether to keep Ruttenstorfer at his post. The latter told APA news agency he believed that the transaction was legal at the time of its doing.
*
Real estate company Warimpex posted a net profit of EUR 4.77m for the first three quarters of 2010, compared to a loss of EUR 98.19m a year earlier. Boosted by three new hotels, the revenue grew 21% to EUR 75.22m. The company also said it wants to issue a bond of around 300m Polish zloty.
*
Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment said its sales grew 14% to EUR 215.2m in the first three quarters of the year. The net profit went up 28.5% to EUR 17.4m.
*
Builder Strabag said it had completely taken over h s energieanlagen Österreich (Wien) in a move to strengthen its activities in the field of environmental technology. The company will bear the name Strabag Energietechnik in the future.
*
Telekom Austria has acquired the privatisation documents regarding the sale of 51% in Serbian Telekom Srbija. Apart from Telekom Austria, Deutsche Telekom and France Telecom have also expressed their interest.
*
Notebook maker Quanmax AG said it had received a EUR 3.3m order for simulation terminals from an international industrial company. The order will be processed next year.
*
Linz Textil Holding AG said its pretax profit grew to EUR 7.2m in the first three quarters of 2010 from EUR 1.5m a year earlier boosted by the sale of used machinery. Sales rose to EUR 106.5m from EUR 89m.
*
сряда, 17 ноември 2010 г.
Austrian economic news in a flash - November 16
Fibre producer Lenzing said its net profit soared to EUR 128m for the first three quarters of 2010 from EUR 30.6m a year earlier. Sales grew to EUR 1.29bn from EUR 885m. The results were mainly boosted by the celluloise fibre production.
*
Cardboard maker Mayr-Melnhof said its first three quarter sales in 2010 rose 10.9% to EUR 1.32bn. The net profit went up 3.6% to EUR 83.2m. The company predicts good utilisation at its two core divisions by the end of 2010.
*
Rubber specialist Semperit AG said its net profit increased 14.2% to EUR 34.3m in the first nine months of 2010. Sales grew 17.3% to EUR 519.3m. In view of the good order backlog, the firm expects a satisfactory development in terms of sales and earnings by the end of 2010.
*
Machinery group Binder + Co AG said its sales decreased 15% to EUR 40.71m in the first three quarters of 2010. EBIT went down 14% to EUR 4.08m. The order intake collapsed by 50% for the period.
*
Austria's annual inflation rate grew to 2% in Octover from 1.9% in September, boosted by higher fuel prices. Prices went up 0.2% in monthly terms.The EU-harmonised price consumer index increased to 1.9% from 1.7%.
*
Oberbank said its operating profit grew 23.6% to EUR 176m in the first nine months of 2010. The results brought the bank to its pre-crisis business levels, it said. The firm plans to continue its branch expansion in 2011.
*
Steel specialist Voestalpine has agreed on the set-up of a joint venture with Al-Mobty which will operate a plant in the Gulf region. Initially around EUR 3m will be invested in the site, which will produce railway tracks in Saudi Arabia.
*
AutoBank has placed 1.89m shares and will start trading on the Entry Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange as of November 19. Proceeds from the transaction stood at EUR 4.725m.
*
Cardboard maker Mayr-Melnhof said its first three quarter sales in 2010 rose 10.9% to EUR 1.32bn. The net profit went up 3.6% to EUR 83.2m. The company predicts good utilisation at its two core divisions by the end of 2010.
*
Rubber specialist Semperit AG said its net profit increased 14.2% to EUR 34.3m in the first nine months of 2010. Sales grew 17.3% to EUR 519.3m. In view of the good order backlog, the firm expects a satisfactory development in terms of sales and earnings by the end of 2010.
*
Machinery group Binder + Co AG said its sales decreased 15% to EUR 40.71m in the first three quarters of 2010. EBIT went down 14% to EUR 4.08m. The order intake collapsed by 50% for the period.
*
Austria's annual inflation rate grew to 2% in Octover from 1.9% in September, boosted by higher fuel prices. Prices went up 0.2% in monthly terms.The EU-harmonised price consumer index increased to 1.9% from 1.7%.
*
Oberbank said its operating profit grew 23.6% to EUR 176m in the first nine months of 2010. The results brought the bank to its pre-crisis business levels, it said. The firm plans to continue its branch expansion in 2011.
*
Steel specialist Voestalpine has agreed on the set-up of a joint venture with Al-Mobty which will operate a plant in the Gulf region. Initially around EUR 3m will be invested in the site, which will produce railway tracks in Saudi Arabia.
*
AutoBank has placed 1.89m shares and will start trading on the Entry Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange as of November 19. Proceeds from the transaction stood at EUR 4.725m.
вторник, 16 ноември 2010 г.
German chart comments in brief
Take That's latest album may be selling huge quantities as we speak*, but the guys first single together with Robbie Williams in 15 years is actually not setting the charts on fire. Expect to see it just outside the top ten in Germany, while the latest singles of Pink and Shakira enter straight among the first ten. Girls power to the max...
And Iz is not going away easily, despite the #22-#3 jump of "We Are The People" of Empire of the Sun, more than two years after its initial release. And who doubts that TV is not ruling the world?
*On the first day of its release Take That's latest album sold over 235,000 copies across the UK, becoming the fastest selling record of the century... The lead single was however stopped by Rihanna to take the number one sport in the UK charts...
(Full German charts to be published this Friday)
And Iz is not going away easily, despite the #22-#3 jump of "We Are The People" of Empire of the Sun, more than two years after its initial release. And who doubts that TV is not ruling the world?
*On the first day of its release Take That's latest album sold over 235,000 copies across the UK, becoming the fastest selling record of the century... The lead single was however stopped by Rihanna to take the number one sport in the UK charts...
(Full German charts to be published this Friday)
Austrian economic news in a flash - November 15
Top Story
Regional utility EVN said it had successfully completed its capital hike. Existing shareholders have subscribed for 58.7% of the total issued shares of above 16m, while institutional investors bought 40.5%. German EnBW, the second biggest single shareholder in EVN, as expected did not take part in the transaction.
*
Top Story
The negotiations between insolvent A-Tec and its creditor banks over the company's refinancing have more or less collapsed, a spokesman for the creditor committee told Austria's APA agency. However, now there will be a "plan b" which involves the sale of A-Tec's most attractive unit, machinery company AE&E. A solution should be found by the end of the week, he added, saying that there are already suitors for the subsidiary. Austrian technology group Andritz is said to be among the interested parties. According to a report of WirtschaftsBlatt, a company from Hong Kong is the most possible buyer for AE&E.
*
C-Quadrat Investment AG said its net profit grew to EUR 9.3m for the first three quarters of 2010, from EUR 3m a year earlier. The total income rose to EUR 40.8m from EUR 24.4m. Assets under management soared to EUR 3.04bn from EUR 2.66bn.
*
Software company Plaut AG has opened an office in Moscow at the start of November. It would be the fifth office of Plaut in CEE.
*
Sugar, starch and fruit group Agrana will invest EUR 11m in the construction of a crystallised sugar silo at its site in Tulln. The facility should start operations in October 2011.
*
Tridonic, part of lighting company Zumtobel, launched its first LED assembly line at Fürstenfeld. The annual production capacity will be around 12m LED modules, while the investment stands at about EUR 1.5m.
*
Bank Austria's economists confirmed their forecasts for economic growth of 1.9% in 2010 and said they predict a rise of 2% in 2011. The current sentiment of consumers and industrial companies is as good as it was before three years, the specialists said. Consumers are feeling the effect of the lower unemployment rate, while the companies are benefiting from the demand abroad.
*The stock CA Immo International AG traded this Monday for the last time on the Vienna Stock Exchange. The delisting comes after the merger of the company with its parent CA Immobilien Anlagen AG. The latter will continue trading on the market.
*
Regional utility EVN said it had successfully completed its capital hike. Existing shareholders have subscribed for 58.7% of the total issued shares of above 16m, while institutional investors bought 40.5%. German EnBW, the second biggest single shareholder in EVN, as expected did not take part in the transaction.
*
Top Story
The negotiations between insolvent A-Tec and its creditor banks over the company's refinancing have more or less collapsed, a spokesman for the creditor committee told Austria's APA agency. However, now there will be a "plan b" which involves the sale of A-Tec's most attractive unit, machinery company AE&E. A solution should be found by the end of the week, he added, saying that there are already suitors for the subsidiary. Austrian technology group Andritz is said to be among the interested parties. According to a report of WirtschaftsBlatt, a company from Hong Kong is the most possible buyer for AE&E.
*
C-Quadrat Investment AG said its net profit grew to EUR 9.3m for the first three quarters of 2010, from EUR 3m a year earlier. The total income rose to EUR 40.8m from EUR 24.4m. Assets under management soared to EUR 3.04bn from EUR 2.66bn.
*
Software company Plaut AG has opened an office in Moscow at the start of November. It would be the fifth office of Plaut in CEE.
*
Sugar, starch and fruit group Agrana will invest EUR 11m in the construction of a crystallised sugar silo at its site in Tulln. The facility should start operations in October 2011.
*
Tridonic, part of lighting company Zumtobel, launched its first LED assembly line at Fürstenfeld. The annual production capacity will be around 12m LED modules, while the investment stands at about EUR 1.5m.
*
Bank Austria's economists confirmed their forecasts for economic growth of 1.9% in 2010 and said they predict a rise of 2% in 2011. The current sentiment of consumers and industrial companies is as good as it was before three years, the specialists said. Consumers are feeling the effect of the lower unemployment rate, while the companies are benefiting from the demand abroad.
*The stock CA Immo International AG traded this Monday for the last time on the Vienna Stock Exchange. The delisting comes after the merger of the company with its parent CA Immobilien Anlagen AG. The latter will continue trading on the market.
*
понеделник, 15 ноември 2010 г.
Austrian economic news in a flash - November 12
Waste-to-biofuel firm BDI BioEnergy International AG said its net profit soared 136% to EUR 2.6m for the first three quarters of 2010. Sales grew 34.1% to EUR 29.1m. The company added it projects a positive outcome of 2010 due to the nine-month results and the current order backlog.
*
Water technology group BWT said its net profit decreased 9.7% to EUR 20m in the first nine months of 2010. EBIT rose 7.6% to EUR 26.5m, while sales went up 16.3% to EUR 345.2m. The developments in Spain and eastern Europe continue to be unsatisfactory, while the strikes in France put a risk on the economic conditions in France, the company said.
*
Raiffeisen Bank International is said to be bidding for Polish Polbank, currently part of Greek EFG Eurobank, a report of Financial Times showed. Intesa and French BNP Paribas has also submitted offers of between USD 600m and USD 800m, the paper added.
*
Austria produced 237,700 tonnes of desert fruit in 2010, a fall of 10% compared to 2009 but still around the long-term average, Statistics Austria said. Apples took the first place with 197,400 tonnes, down 12% in yearly terms.
*
Water technology group BWT said its net profit decreased 9.7% to EUR 20m in the first nine months of 2010. EBIT rose 7.6% to EUR 26.5m, while sales went up 16.3% to EUR 345.2m. The developments in Spain and eastern Europe continue to be unsatisfactory, while the strikes in France put a risk on the economic conditions in France, the company said.
*
Raiffeisen Bank International is said to be bidding for Polish Polbank, currently part of Greek EFG Eurobank, a report of Financial Times showed. Intesa and French BNP Paribas has also submitted offers of between USD 600m and USD 800m, the paper added.
*
Austria produced 237,700 tonnes of desert fruit in 2010, a fall of 10% compared to 2009 but still around the long-term average, Statistics Austria said. Apples took the first place with 197,400 tonnes, down 12% in yearly terms.
неделя, 14 ноември 2010 г.
In BG Cinemas from Nov 12
Неудържим (2010) / Unstoppable (САЩ) - Who am I to argue that a film with a rating of above 86% in RottenTomatoes is actually bad? Nevertheless, I may be a minority but cannot say that Unstoppable was one of the stupidest movies of the year. Yes, it has a high-speed train as an antagonist, yes, visually the film is stunning, the editing is perfect (though I had a headache afterwards), the story, based on real events, is okay, but what Unstoppable lacked was a heart and worst of all there was no tension at all. And the climax was just an anticlimax, they easily could have started the chase with it. And let's say it directly - an unmanned train is not a villain, it is not a shark or a truck with a mad driver, it's just a f*cking machine. And don't get me started about the empty characters and the whole American heroes thing... Alexandra
неЧЕСТНА ИГРА (2010) / Fair Game (САЩ) - Definitely the more intelligent choice of the week, Fair Game is not an easy watch as after all it is a story about the Iraq war, the US policy and the mechanisms of mass media. However, the story is interesting, pumps with a lot of tension and shows real human beings doing real staff. Sean Penn and Naomi Watts are perfect, and despite that the film has one or two dragging moments, it has to be watched and lessons have to be drawn. Tandem
And the movie of all movies is coming :)
Austrian economic news in a flash - 11 November 2010
Top Story
Vienna Airport said the number of served passengers in October grew 11.4% on the year to 1.828m. Due to the 8.6% growth for the first ten months of 2010, Vienna Airport improved its full-year forecast to 9% increase in the passenger traffic.
*
Top Story
Crane maker Palfinger said it recorded EBIT of EUR 22.4m for the first three quarters of 2010, compared to a loss of EUR 6.1m a year earlier. Sales grew 19.5% to EUR 464.9m. The company projects a sales increase of 20% and considerably positive earnings for full 2010.
*
Top Story
Treibacher Industrieholding, the parent of Treibacher Industrie AG, has bought the 29% stake of collapsed AvW Gruppe in technology company Binder+Co. The stake was worth some EUR 16m, or EUR 14.60 per share.
*
Top Story
Builder Porr said its output decreased 3.9% to EUR 2.04bn in the first three months of 2010. The company's order intake for the period fell 18% to EUR 1.76bn, while the order backlog stood at EUR 2.4bn, down 7%.
*
High Tech Industries AG (HTI) said it booked EBIT of EUR 3.3m for the first nine months of 2010, compared to a loss of EUR 21.4m a year earlier. Sales went up 6% to EUR 143.2m. The company forecasts a sales rise to EUR 200m for full 2010, as well as positive EBIT.
*
Sweets maker Manner said its sales went down 1.4% to EUR 110.8m in the first three quarters of the year. The decrease was attributed to the weak first quarter. The company also has to fight with high raw material costs, especially those for cacao and hazelnuts. Manner projects a fall in its full-year sales.
*
Refractory material maker Rath said it posted EBIT of EUR 867,000 for the first nine months of 2010, compared to a loss of EUR 65,000 a year ago. Sales decreased to EUR 54.48m from EUR 55.88m. The company said it was early for 2011 forecasts and the uncertainties on the markets continued to be huge.
*
The Frauenthal holding said its sales increased 17.8% to EUR 395.9m in the first three quarters of the year. The company turned a net profit of EUR 9.3m, compared to a loss of EUR 25.1m in the same period last year. Frauenthal said further it hopes to end 2010 in the black if the economic conditions did not deteriorate considerably in the last quarter.
*
Real estate company UBM, part of builder Porr, raised its pretax profit to EUR 7.5m in the first nine months of 2010 from EUR 7.1m a year ago. The increase was due to growth in margins and cost efficiency. Revenue decreased to EUR 173.4m from EUR 205.9m because of reduced project sales.
*
Regional utility Vorarlberger Kraftwerke AG (VKW) said its profit fell to EUR 33.3m in the first three quarters of 2010 from EUR 33.3m a year earlier. Sales decreased by EUR 33.7m to EUR 314.7m. VKW projects its full-year profit to be more-or-less comparable to the 2009 one.
*
Sports items producer Head said it booked a net loss of EUR 913,000 for the first three quarters of 2010, compared to a profit of EUR 24.4m a year earlier. The company said the 2009 results were boosted by the profits from a bond exchange offer. Sales rose 5.7% to EUR 218.4m in the first nine months of the current year.
*
Andreas Treichl, CEO of Erste Group, has sold 25,000 shares in the bank. The manager earned around 838,000 from the transaction.
Vienna Airport said the number of served passengers in October grew 11.4% on the year to 1.828m. Due to the 8.6% growth for the first ten months of 2010, Vienna Airport improved its full-year forecast to 9% increase in the passenger traffic.
*
Top Story
Crane maker Palfinger said it recorded EBIT of EUR 22.4m for the first three quarters of 2010, compared to a loss of EUR 6.1m a year earlier. Sales grew 19.5% to EUR 464.9m. The company projects a sales increase of 20% and considerably positive earnings for full 2010.
*
Top Story
Treibacher Industrieholding, the parent of Treibacher Industrie AG, has bought the 29% stake of collapsed AvW Gruppe in technology company Binder+Co. The stake was worth some EUR 16m, or EUR 14.60 per share.
*
Top Story
Builder Porr said its output decreased 3.9% to EUR 2.04bn in the first three months of 2010. The company's order intake for the period fell 18% to EUR 1.76bn, while the order backlog stood at EUR 2.4bn, down 7%.
*
High Tech Industries AG (HTI) said it booked EBIT of EUR 3.3m for the first nine months of 2010, compared to a loss of EUR 21.4m a year earlier. Sales went up 6% to EUR 143.2m. The company forecasts a sales rise to EUR 200m for full 2010, as well as positive EBIT.
*
Sweets maker Manner said its sales went down 1.4% to EUR 110.8m in the first three quarters of the year. The decrease was attributed to the weak first quarter. The company also has to fight with high raw material costs, especially those for cacao and hazelnuts. Manner projects a fall in its full-year sales.
*
Refractory material maker Rath said it posted EBIT of EUR 867,000 for the first nine months of 2010, compared to a loss of EUR 65,000 a year ago. Sales decreased to EUR 54.48m from EUR 55.88m. The company said it was early for 2011 forecasts and the uncertainties on the markets continued to be huge.
*
The Frauenthal holding said its sales increased 17.8% to EUR 395.9m in the first three quarters of the year. The company turned a net profit of EUR 9.3m, compared to a loss of EUR 25.1m in the same period last year. Frauenthal said further it hopes to end 2010 in the black if the economic conditions did not deteriorate considerably in the last quarter.
*
Real estate company UBM, part of builder Porr, raised its pretax profit to EUR 7.5m in the first nine months of 2010 from EUR 7.1m a year ago. The increase was due to growth in margins and cost efficiency. Revenue decreased to EUR 173.4m from EUR 205.9m because of reduced project sales.
*
Regional utility Vorarlberger Kraftwerke AG (VKW) said its profit fell to EUR 33.3m in the first three quarters of 2010 from EUR 33.3m a year earlier. Sales decreased by EUR 33.7m to EUR 314.7m. VKW projects its full-year profit to be more-or-less comparable to the 2009 one.
*
Sports items producer Head said it booked a net loss of EUR 913,000 for the first three quarters of 2010, compared to a profit of EUR 24.4m a year earlier. The company said the 2009 results were boosted by the profits from a bond exchange offer. Sales rose 5.7% to EUR 218.4m in the first nine months of the current year.
*
Andreas Treichl, CEO of Erste Group, has sold 25,000 shares in the bank. The manager earned around 838,000 from the transaction.
събота, 13 ноември 2010 г.
German chart comments - Issue date - 12.11.2010
Still no changes at the top of the German singles chart, where IZ stays for a sixth week in a row with his "Over The Rainbow". Rihanna has to please herself with the runner-up position for yet another week, while the biggest new entry of the week comes in at #3. Dance project Duck Sauce, formed by Armand Van Helden and A-Track, has already made "Barbra Steisand" one of the most successful dance hits of the autumn and now its time for Germany to accommodate the song in its singles chart. The single samples Boney M's "Gotta Go Home" number one hit from 1979, which in its turn was based on "Hallo Bimmelbahn" of German band Nighttrain from 1973.
Video
Not much going on further in the top 10, with Aloe Blacc's "I Need A Dollar" reaching another peak at #4 (it's definitely one of the most surprising hits of the year), while Leona drops only four positions showing that the song may stay in the upper reaches of the chart long after the initial interest caused by Das Supertalent show has passed.
In the top 20 it is good to see Alphaville dropping by only two positions, which may result in a well deserved longevity of its chart presence.
At #22 we have another TV-triggered re-entry coming from Australian band Empire Of The Sun. "We Are The People", a great song as it is, initially reached only #65 in Germany but Deutsche Telekom has decided to use it in its Christmas advertising campaign in 2010. Thus, the single with ease breaks into the top thirty this time around.
Video
The second highest new entry comes from US rocker Kid Rock at #34. "Born Free", the pilot single from Kid's latest album of the same name, manages to become his third most successful song in Germany, trailing only the #26 peak of "American Bad Ass" and the number-one smash "All Summer Long".
Video
Next at #36 enters Adam Lambert, whose "Whataya Want from Me" is already one of the hits of the year, peaking at #5 in Germany. "If I Had You", albeit not a flop, shows that something went wrong this time around as the singer has a lot of potential, but unfortunately for now can be considered as a "one-hit wonder". And I hope I'll be proven wrong in the future.
Video
In the top fifty, it's worth mentioning that Mathias Reim jumps 20 places to #41, simultaneously with the entry of his latest album in the LP chart. The man is best known with his 1990 smash "Verdammt ich lieb dich" which spent ages at the top of the singles chart.
Video - classic
At #43 and #44 we can find two quite different new entries coming from DJ Otzi (Austria's biggest star in the last ten years (unfortunately)), whose "Ich Will Mit Dir Fliegen" for now turns to be among his lesser singles, while a position behind it enters French DJ (yes, he is, unlike Otzi, a real DJ) Martin Solveig with "Hello", a collaboration with Canadian band Dragonette.
Video - Otzi
Video - Solveig
At #55 Gossip bring a fourth single in the German charts but like the other two before it, "Men In Love" is nothing compared to "Heavy Cross". The latter this week jumps again to #38 from #45 ...
Video
Only two new entries in the top 100. The first of them is at #78 from the one and only Cheryl Cole. She may have a second solo album in UK, but in Germany the promotion still concerns the first one. "Parachute" is the third single taken from it, and despite being the best if you ask me, has the bad luck to be a complete flop compared to the #4-hit "Fight for This Love" and the #27 peak of "3 Words".
Video
It's bad luck also for Danish singer Aura Dione, whose third single "Something from Nothing" enters at #90 and that compared to the #1 success of "I Will Love You Monday" and the #12 peak of "Song for Sophie" is a real shame...
Video
Video
Not much going on further in the top 10, with Aloe Blacc's "I Need A Dollar" reaching another peak at #4 (it's definitely one of the most surprising hits of the year), while Leona drops only four positions showing that the song may stay in the upper reaches of the chart long after the initial interest caused by Das Supertalent show has passed.
In the top 20 it is good to see Alphaville dropping by only two positions, which may result in a well deserved longevity of its chart presence.
At #22 we have another TV-triggered re-entry coming from Australian band Empire Of The Sun. "We Are The People", a great song as it is, initially reached only #65 in Germany but Deutsche Telekom has decided to use it in its Christmas advertising campaign in 2010. Thus, the single with ease breaks into the top thirty this time around.
Video
The second highest new entry comes from US rocker Kid Rock at #34. "Born Free", the pilot single from Kid's latest album of the same name, manages to become his third most successful song in Germany, trailing only the #26 peak of "American Bad Ass" and the number-one smash "All Summer Long".
Video
Next at #36 enters Adam Lambert, whose "Whataya Want from Me" is already one of the hits of the year, peaking at #5 in Germany. "If I Had You", albeit not a flop, shows that something went wrong this time around as the singer has a lot of potential, but unfortunately for now can be considered as a "one-hit wonder". And I hope I'll be proven wrong in the future.
Video
In the top fifty, it's worth mentioning that Mathias Reim jumps 20 places to #41, simultaneously with the entry of his latest album in the LP chart. The man is best known with his 1990 smash "Verdammt ich lieb dich" which spent ages at the top of the singles chart.
Video - classic
At #43 and #44 we can find two quite different new entries coming from DJ Otzi (Austria's biggest star in the last ten years (unfortunately)), whose "Ich Will Mit Dir Fliegen" for now turns to be among his lesser singles, while a position behind it enters French DJ (yes, he is, unlike Otzi, a real DJ) Martin Solveig with "Hello", a collaboration with Canadian band Dragonette.
Video - Otzi
Video - Solveig
At #55 Gossip bring a fourth single in the German charts but like the other two before it, "Men In Love" is nothing compared to "Heavy Cross". The latter this week jumps again to #38 from #45 ...
Video
Only two new entries in the top 100. The first of them is at #78 from the one and only Cheryl Cole. She may have a second solo album in UK, but in Germany the promotion still concerns the first one. "Parachute" is the third single taken from it, and despite being the best if you ask me, has the bad luck to be a complete flop compared to the #4-hit "Fight for This Love" and the #27 peak of "3 Words".
Video
It's bad luck also for Danish singer Aura Dione, whose third single "Something from Nothing" enters at #90 and that compared to the #1 success of "I Will Love You Monday" and the #12 peak of "Song for Sophie" is a real shame...
Video
петък, 12 ноември 2010 г.
Austrian economic news in a flash - 10 November 2010
Telekom Austria said its net profit rose 31% to EUR 257m for the first three quarters of 2010. Sales, however, decreased 3.9% to EUR 3.48bn. While there was growth in the number of mobile phone clients, that of fixed line users stagnated at 2.3m. The company projects sales of EUR 4.7bn and EBITDA of between EUR 1.60bn and EUR 1.65bn for full 2010. The shareholders will receive a dividend of at least EUR 0.75.
*
OMV said its sales grew by around 20% to EUR 5.673bn in the third quarter of 2010, but the company's EBIT decreased 29% to EUR 395m. The net profit declined 47% to EUR 149m. OMV's CEO Wolfgang Ruttenstorfer said he was optimistic for the full 2010 business as the company managed to continue its solid operating performance between July and September 2010.
*
Bookmaker Betbull has relocated its headquarters from London to Vienna as of November 6. As of November 25, Betbull's shares will start trading on the "other securities" segment of the Vienna bourse.
*
German finance services provider AWD said its EBIT-loss decreased to EUR 4.1m in the first three quarters of 2010 from EUR 16.8m a year earlier in the region of Austria and CEE. Revenue rose 1.7% to EUR 53m. The company said its aim is to return to profitability.
*
A consortium with the participation of Strabag has won a motorway construction order in Romania worth EUR 220.6m. The contract concerns a 33 km stretch between Deva and Orastie in central Romania.
*
Erste Group is considering the takeover of another bank in Serbia in order to boost its presence there, CEO Andreas Treichl told a local daily. He, however, gave no concrete details.
*
*
OMV said its sales grew by around 20% to EUR 5.673bn in the third quarter of 2010, but the company's EBIT decreased 29% to EUR 395m. The net profit declined 47% to EUR 149m. OMV's CEO Wolfgang Ruttenstorfer said he was optimistic for the full 2010 business as the company managed to continue its solid operating performance between July and September 2010.
*
Bookmaker Betbull has relocated its headquarters from London to Vienna as of November 6. As of November 25, Betbull's shares will start trading on the "other securities" segment of the Vienna bourse.
*
German finance services provider AWD said its EBIT-loss decreased to EUR 4.1m in the first three quarters of 2010 from EUR 16.8m a year earlier in the region of Austria and CEE. Revenue rose 1.7% to EUR 53m. The company said its aim is to return to profitability.
*
A consortium with the participation of Strabag has won a motorway construction order in Romania worth EUR 220.6m. The contract concerns a 33 km stretch between Deva and Orastie in central Romania.
*
Erste Group is considering the takeover of another bank in Serbia in order to boost its presence there, CEO Andreas Treichl told a local daily. He, however, gave no concrete details.
*
четвъртък, 11 ноември 2010 г.
Austrian economic news in a flash - 9 November 2010
Top Story
Vaccine developer Intercell said it doubled its net loss to EUR 50.9m in the first nine months of 2010, from EUR 25.9m a year earlier. Sales decreased 28.4% to EUR 21.1m. The increase in losses was due to the increasing R&D costs and currency effects. Intercell projects a loss of EUR 40m for full 2010.
*
Top Story
Vienna Insurance Group said its net profit rose 10.6% to EUR 291m for the first three quarters of the year. Premium income went up 7.1% to EUR 6.5bn. The insurer confirmed its outlook of at least 10% increase in pretax profit for full 2010. For 2011 Vienna Insurance projects the same growth in pretax profit as well as a one-digit rise in premiums.
*
Top Story
PC game developer JoWooD said both its net loss and loss from ordinary operations stood at EUR 20.6m for the first half of 2010. Sales came in at 2.596m. The results are under the Austrian regulations and not under the International Financial Reporting Standards. The latter will be published at the end of November. JoWooD is before a capital reduction aiming to cover the high losses.
*
Top Story
Austrian Airlines raised the number of transported passengers by 10.2% in the first ten months of 2010. In October alone AUA serviced 990,100 passengers, up 8.4% in annual terms. The development has shown that the company's focus on regular flights has paid off, AUA said.
*
Top Story
Verbund has officially started its capital increase of EUR 1bn. With the proceeds the country's largest utility aims to finance investments of up to EUR 1.9bn in the next five years. The sum will be spent for power generation and grid improvement in Austria and Germany, in addition further EUR 500m will flow for foreign subsidiaries like those in Turkey and India.
*
The launched capital increase at Verbund is expected to raise the company's free float by 1% to 2%, CEO Wolfgang Anzengruber said. This will come as a result of the decision of the regional group of utilities (Wienstrom, EVN and Tiwag) not to use their subscription rights in full.
*
Vienna-listed US Century Casinos said its net gaming revenue grew 20% to USD 45.06m in the first nine months of 2010. The adjusted EBITDA was 5% higher at USD 6.53m. The revenue was boosted by the newly-launched casino in Calgary (Canada) and the new ship casinos of the company.
*
Austria's exports stood at EUR 69.59bn for the first eight months of 2010, while imports came in at EUR 71.71bn, Statistics Austria said. This resulted in a foreign trade deficit of EUR 2.12bn for the period.
*
Wiener Privatbank said it plans to reduce its core capital to EUR 9.07m in two stages, from EUR 33.5m currently. Via the move, the bank aims to return excess funds to the shareholders and to boost the profitability of its own capital.
*
Vienna Insurance Group plans to issue a bond with a volume of up to EUR 500m. CEO Günter Geyer said that there have already been talks with the Austrian financial market authorities and the bank partner, Erste Group. He, however, gave no further details.
Vaccine developer Intercell said it doubled its net loss to EUR 50.9m in the first nine months of 2010, from EUR 25.9m a year earlier. Sales decreased 28.4% to EUR 21.1m. The increase in losses was due to the increasing R&D costs and currency effects. Intercell projects a loss of EUR 40m for full 2010.
*
Top Story
Vienna Insurance Group said its net profit rose 10.6% to EUR 291m for the first three quarters of the year. Premium income went up 7.1% to EUR 6.5bn. The insurer confirmed its outlook of at least 10% increase in pretax profit for full 2010. For 2011 Vienna Insurance projects the same growth in pretax profit as well as a one-digit rise in premiums.
*
Top Story
PC game developer JoWooD said both its net loss and loss from ordinary operations stood at EUR 20.6m for the first half of 2010. Sales came in at 2.596m. The results are under the Austrian regulations and not under the International Financial Reporting Standards. The latter will be published at the end of November. JoWooD is before a capital reduction aiming to cover the high losses.
*
Top Story
Austrian Airlines raised the number of transported passengers by 10.2% in the first ten months of 2010. In October alone AUA serviced 990,100 passengers, up 8.4% in annual terms. The development has shown that the company's focus on regular flights has paid off, AUA said.
*
Top Story
Verbund has officially started its capital increase of EUR 1bn. With the proceeds the country's largest utility aims to finance investments of up to EUR 1.9bn in the next five years. The sum will be spent for power generation and grid improvement in Austria and Germany, in addition further EUR 500m will flow for foreign subsidiaries like those in Turkey and India.
*
The launched capital increase at Verbund is expected to raise the company's free float by 1% to 2%, CEO Wolfgang Anzengruber said. This will come as a result of the decision of the regional group of utilities (Wienstrom, EVN and Tiwag) not to use their subscription rights in full.
*
Vienna-listed US Century Casinos said its net gaming revenue grew 20% to USD 45.06m in the first nine months of 2010. The adjusted EBITDA was 5% higher at USD 6.53m. The revenue was boosted by the newly-launched casino in Calgary (Canada) and the new ship casinos of the company.
*
Austria's exports stood at EUR 69.59bn for the first eight months of 2010, while imports came in at EUR 71.71bn, Statistics Austria said. This resulted in a foreign trade deficit of EUR 2.12bn for the period.
*
Wiener Privatbank said it plans to reduce its core capital to EUR 9.07m in two stages, from EUR 33.5m currently. Via the move, the bank aims to return excess funds to the shareholders and to boost the profitability of its own capital.
*
Vienna Insurance Group plans to issue a bond with a volume of up to EUR 500m. CEO Günter Geyer said that there have already been talks with the Austrian financial market authorities and the bank partner, Erste Group. He, however, gave no further details.
вторник, 9 ноември 2010 г.
German chart comments in brief
"Barbra Streisand", the dance smash of Duck Sauce, becomes with ease the highest new entry in the German singles chart after storming the UK charts and the dance countdowns all over Europe.
Kid Rock also returns to the Top 100 outside the top 30, with (extremely boring) "Born Free", while Adam Lambert's sophomore single stumbles at #36. The latter should have been released earlier...
And it's once again Israel Kamakawiwo'ole to rule them all...
(full charts to be published this Friday)
Kid Rock also returns to the Top 100 outside the top 30, with (extremely boring) "Born Free", while Adam Lambert's sophomore single stumbles at #36. The latter should have been released earlier...
And it's once again Israel Kamakawiwo'ole to rule them all...
(full charts to be published this Friday)
Austrian economic news in a flash - November 8
Top Story
Verbund, Austria's biggest utility, said it decided to start its EUR 1bn capital hike as of November 9. The maximum offer price is set at EUR 35 per share. Austria will have to contribute with EUR 510m to the increase in order to retain its 51% majority in the company.
*
Top Story
Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska will return as a shareholder in Strabag in two stages. First he will take 17% in the company but will have an option to get further 8% until July 15, 2014. In return, the Austrian builder will take a stake of 26% in road construction group Transstroy.
*
Top Story
Technology group Andritz said its EBIT grew 79.4% to EUR 156.3m in the first nine months of 2010. Net profit rose to EUR 114.6m, while sales increased 5.5% to EUR 2.46bn. The company said it expects a slight rise of its 2010 sales compared to 2009, while its net profit will be positively affected by the implemented restructuring measures.
*
Top Story
Caterer Do&Co has decided to launch a capital increase of 25% with an offer price of EUR 21.90. As a total, the company projects proceeds of EUR 40m from the move. Do&Co is to start a secondary listing on the Istanbul Stock Exchange as of December 2.
*
Austrian Post AG celebrated on Monday the opening of its 1,000 office located at a site of one of its partners. Thus, the company has a network of 1,866 branches and plans to attract around 500 more partners in the future.
*
TeleTrader Software AG posted a net loss of EUR 209,000 for the first three quarters of 2010, up from a loss of EUR 197,000 a year earlier. Sales rose 3.8% to EUR 4.99m.
*
Wiener AutoBank AG said it will start trading on the entry standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange as of November 19. The subscription period for the shares runs between November 8 and 16. The issue price stands at EUR 2.50. The proceeds from the move are seen at up to EUR 4.8m.
*
OMV plans to finance the planned takeover of Turkish Petrol Ofisi via the issue of convertible bonds and not via new shares, Bloomberg reported quoting unnamed sources. The final decision will be taken in the next two days.
*
C.A.T. oil said it plans to invest a total of EUR 150m in the next two years. Majority of the sum will be spent on the set-up of a third core business segment - onshore drilling services.
*
Real estate company Immofinanz said it will buy 4.53% of its own shares as of next Friday. The share repurchasing programme will probably run until April 12, 2011.
Verbund, Austria's biggest utility, said it decided to start its EUR 1bn capital hike as of November 9. The maximum offer price is set at EUR 35 per share. Austria will have to contribute with EUR 510m to the increase in order to retain its 51% majority in the company.
*
Top Story
Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska will return as a shareholder in Strabag in two stages. First he will take 17% in the company but will have an option to get further 8% until July 15, 2014. In return, the Austrian builder will take a stake of 26% in road construction group Transstroy.
*
Top Story
Technology group Andritz said its EBIT grew 79.4% to EUR 156.3m in the first nine months of 2010. Net profit rose to EUR 114.6m, while sales increased 5.5% to EUR 2.46bn. The company said it expects a slight rise of its 2010 sales compared to 2009, while its net profit will be positively affected by the implemented restructuring measures.
*
Top Story
Caterer Do&Co has decided to launch a capital increase of 25% with an offer price of EUR 21.90. As a total, the company projects proceeds of EUR 40m from the move. Do&Co is to start a secondary listing on the Istanbul Stock Exchange as of December 2.
*
Austrian Post AG celebrated on Monday the opening of its 1,000 office located at a site of one of its partners. Thus, the company has a network of 1,866 branches and plans to attract around 500 more partners in the future.
*
TeleTrader Software AG posted a net loss of EUR 209,000 for the first three quarters of 2010, up from a loss of EUR 197,000 a year earlier. Sales rose 3.8% to EUR 4.99m.
*
Wiener AutoBank AG said it will start trading on the entry standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange as of November 19. The subscription period for the shares runs between November 8 and 16. The issue price stands at EUR 2.50. The proceeds from the move are seen at up to EUR 4.8m.
*
OMV plans to finance the planned takeover of Turkish Petrol Ofisi via the issue of convertible bonds and not via new shares, Bloomberg reported quoting unnamed sources. The final decision will be taken in the next two days.
*
C.A.T. oil said it plans to invest a total of EUR 150m in the next two years. Majority of the sum will be spent on the set-up of a third core business segment - onshore drilling services.
*
Real estate company Immofinanz said it will buy 4.53% of its own shares as of next Friday. The share repurchasing programme will probably run until April 12, 2011.
понеделник, 8 ноември 2010 г.
Austrian economic news in a flash - November 5
Machinery holding company Heid AG said its sales grew to EUR 235,000 for the third quarter of 2010, from EUR 215,000 a year earlier. The order intake stood at EUR 255,000. The company projects to end 2010 with a positive performance.
*
Züblin, a German subsidiary of Strabag, has received a green light from the European Commission for its joint venture with German VMT GmbH. The new company, ITC Engineering, will develop data management software for the construction sector.
*
The supervisory board of Austria's biggest utility Verbund has given a green light on the firm's EUR 1bn capital increase. The Austrian state, which owns 51% in the company, as well shareholders EVN, Tiwag and Wiener Stadtwerke, will all participate in the hike. The proceeds will be used for investments in hydropower and in the grid.
*
As expected German EnBW did not take part in the latest capital increase of Austrian utility EVN. Thus, the stake of EnBW was reduced to 32.5% from 35.72% before. The free float of EVN, in return, grew to 16.5% from 13%.
*
Real estate company conwert said it has secured 95.76% in sector company Eco Business-Immobilien AG after the expiry of its takeover bid. For now there are three opportunities before Eco -- squeeze-out and delisting; merger with conwert or keeping of the Vienna bourse listing.
*
Immofinanz opened the Gold Plaza Baia Mare shopping centre in Romania. The facility will house 100 shops and took EUR 70m in total investments.
*
Road telematics specialist Kapsch TrafficCom said it has agreed on the takeover of Mark IV IVHS for USD 70m. The target company is active in North America.
*
Fibre maker Lenzing said it expects EUR 1.28bn sales for the first nine months of 2010, up by 45.2%. The EBIT is seen at EUR 168.8m, an increase from EUR 54.3m a year earlier. The company will release its financial figures on 16 November.
*
Austria's wholesale price index fell 0.2% month-on-month in October 2010, Statistik Austria said. In annual comparison, the index grew 7%.
*
Züblin, a German subsidiary of Strabag, has received a green light from the European Commission for its joint venture with German VMT GmbH. The new company, ITC Engineering, will develop data management software for the construction sector.
*
The supervisory board of Austria's biggest utility Verbund has given a green light on the firm's EUR 1bn capital increase. The Austrian state, which owns 51% in the company, as well shareholders EVN, Tiwag and Wiener Stadtwerke, will all participate in the hike. The proceeds will be used for investments in hydropower and in the grid.
*
As expected German EnBW did not take part in the latest capital increase of Austrian utility EVN. Thus, the stake of EnBW was reduced to 32.5% from 35.72% before. The free float of EVN, in return, grew to 16.5% from 13%.
*
Real estate company conwert said it has secured 95.76% in sector company Eco Business-Immobilien AG after the expiry of its takeover bid. For now there are three opportunities before Eco -- squeeze-out and delisting; merger with conwert or keeping of the Vienna bourse listing.
*
Immofinanz opened the Gold Plaza Baia Mare shopping centre in Romania. The facility will house 100 shops and took EUR 70m in total investments.
*
Road telematics specialist Kapsch TrafficCom said it has agreed on the takeover of Mark IV IVHS for USD 70m. The target company is active in North America.
*
Fibre maker Lenzing said it expects EUR 1.28bn sales for the first nine months of 2010, up by 45.2%. The EBIT is seen at EUR 168.8m, an increase from EUR 54.3m a year earlier. The company will release its financial figures on 16 November.
*
Austria's wholesale price index fell 0.2% month-on-month in October 2010, Statistik Austria said. In annual comparison, the index grew 7%.
събота, 6 ноември 2010 г.
German chart comments - Issue date - 5.11.2010
Iz may be standing for a fifth week atop the German singles chart, but this week's countdown sees a lot of action in its first 20 positions. First of all, it's Leona Lewis who makes big news as her two-year old hit "Run" jumps to #3 from #27. You may remember that the song broke in the top ten five weeks ago after it was sung by a contestant at the country's Das Supertalent show. After peaking then at #9 it fell quickly outside the top 20. However, as "Run" was once again performed at the show, and maybe because of the whole exposure the single has nowadays, it manages to stop its downward trend and not only return in the top 20 but to reach the top 3 for the first time ever. Better late than never...
Video
Next up, the highest new entry belongs to Mr. James Blunt. "Stay The Night" is the pilot single of Blunt's newest album "Some Kind Of Trouble", and by entering at #4 becomes his third top 10 single in Germany next to "You're Beautiful" and "1973" which both reached #2. Most interesting is however the continuing interest of Germany in the singer having in mind that "Stay The Night" flopped at #37 in his native UK... This reminds me of Melanie C, who even had a number one song in Germany which never entered the UK countdown...
Video
The next new entry comes from Gnarls Barkley member Cee Lo Green, whose controversial "F*ck You" has already been a massive hit across Europe and now enters the German Top 100 at #11. Gnarls Barkley's classic "Crazy" peaked at #3 in Germany in 2006.
Video
2010 definitely turns to be the year of the comebacks of the great electro-pop bands of the 80s. First it was OMD who released an amazing new album earlier this year, now it's time for Alphaville to return to the charts and not in their lower reaches but in the top 20. The honour goes to "I Die For You Today", the pilot single of the group's newest album "Catching Rays on Giant", which is the first song of Alphaville to chart in Germany since 1994 and the first to reach the top 20 since 1986!!! The German band is of course most famous with classics such as "Big in Japan" (#1), "Sounds Like a Melody" (#3) and "Forever Young" (#4).
Video
This week also sees German star Xavier Naidoo bringing two songs in the chart, first of them is the live version of "Bitte hör nicht auf zu träumen" at #32 and second - "Wild vor Wut" his collaboration with Naturally 7 which makes an unremarkable debut at #85 and comes from the soundtrack of German animated movie "Animals United".
Video 1
Video 2
Further down the countdown UK boy band The Wanted enters at #44 with "All Time Low". It was much written in UK for the pros and cons of the group, with the song already reaching #1 there. In Germany however, despite the big support on VIVA, the single, at least for now, fails to make a big impact.
Video
The VIVA back-up is for now not helping US superstar Taylor Swift either as her latest single "Mine", the pilot song of Swift's third album, enters at #59. The song also flopped in UK, which raises the inevitable question whether the country singer can actually become a star in Europe...
Video
And videos for the remaining new entries:
#52 - Mando Diao - Down In The Past (MTV Unplugged)
Video
#61 - Matthias Reim - Du Bist Mein Glück
Video
#98 - Pet Shop Boys - Together
Video
Video
Next up, the highest new entry belongs to Mr. James Blunt. "Stay The Night" is the pilot single of Blunt's newest album "Some Kind Of Trouble", and by entering at #4 becomes his third top 10 single in Germany next to "You're Beautiful" and "1973" which both reached #2. Most interesting is however the continuing interest of Germany in the singer having in mind that "Stay The Night" flopped at #37 in his native UK... This reminds me of Melanie C, who even had a number one song in Germany which never entered the UK countdown...
Video
The next new entry comes from Gnarls Barkley member Cee Lo Green, whose controversial "F*ck You" has already been a massive hit across Europe and now enters the German Top 100 at #11. Gnarls Barkley's classic "Crazy" peaked at #3 in Germany in 2006.
Video
2010 definitely turns to be the year of the comebacks of the great electro-pop bands of the 80s. First it was OMD who released an amazing new album earlier this year, now it's time for Alphaville to return to the charts and not in their lower reaches but in the top 20. The honour goes to "I Die For You Today", the pilot single of the group's newest album "Catching Rays on Giant", which is the first song of Alphaville to chart in Germany since 1994 and the first to reach the top 20 since 1986!!! The German band is of course most famous with classics such as "Big in Japan" (#1), "Sounds Like a Melody" (#3) and "Forever Young" (#4).
Video
This week also sees German star Xavier Naidoo bringing two songs in the chart, first of them is the live version of "Bitte hör nicht auf zu träumen" at #32 and second - "Wild vor Wut" his collaboration with Naturally 7 which makes an unremarkable debut at #85 and comes from the soundtrack of German animated movie "Animals United".
Video 1
Video 2
Further down the countdown UK boy band The Wanted enters at #44 with "All Time Low". It was much written in UK for the pros and cons of the group, with the song already reaching #1 there. In Germany however, despite the big support on VIVA, the single, at least for now, fails to make a big impact.
Video
The VIVA back-up is for now not helping US superstar Taylor Swift either as her latest single "Mine", the pilot song of Swift's third album, enters at #59. The song also flopped in UK, which raises the inevitable question whether the country singer can actually become a star in Europe...
Video
And videos for the remaining new entries:
#52 - Mando Diao - Down In The Past (MTV Unplugged)
Video
#61 - Matthias Reim - Du Bist Mein Glück
Video
#98 - Pet Shop Boys - Together
Video
петък, 5 ноември 2010 г.
German chart comments in brief
Leona's "Run" makes a dramatic upturn and finally makes it in the top 3 some two years after initially released!
James Blunt shows that he is far more popular in Germany than in his native UK, while 16 years after they were last in the chart, 80s legends Alphaville return with an amazing song in the top 20! Meanwhile Cee-Lo Green misses the top 10 by a notch, while The Wanted and Taylor Swift flop outside the top 40...
More on the chart in the coming days...
James Blunt shows that he is far more popular in Germany than in his native UK, while 16 years after they were last in the chart, 80s legends Alphaville return with an amazing song in the top 20! Meanwhile Cee-Lo Green misses the top 10 by a notch, while The Wanted and Taylor Swift flop outside the top 40...
More on the chart in the coming days...
Austrian economic news in a flash - 4 November 2010
Top Story
Refractory material maker RHI said its EBIT before write-offs and restructuring costs soared to EUR 96.7m in the first nine months of 2010 from EUR 32.8m a year earlier. Net profit skyrocketed to EUR 88.8m from EUR 4m as last year it was hit by the financial crisis. Sales rose 24.6% to EUR 1.222bn, the firm said in a statement. RHI added it projects its sales to grow to EUR 1.5bn for full 2010 from EUR 1.24bn for 2009. CEO Henning Jensen also told APA news agency that RHI has bought the land plot for its green field investment in Brazil.
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The creditor banks of industrial holding A-Tec are ready to extend the company's financing to the end of October 2011. In return the banks want 40% in the group's most successful subsidiary AE&E. The other creditors to the company in principle accepted the proposal
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Plastics maker Borealis posted a net profit of EUR 54m in the third quarter of 2010, up from EUR 47m a year earlier. Sales came in at EUR 1.590bn, down from EUR 1.614bn. OMV holds 36% in the company.
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Online bookmaker Bwin rejected that it has any problems with the merger with UK PartyGaming. The deal is on track to be completed in the first quarter of the next year, Bwin said.
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SW Umwelttechnik AG has extended the subscription period for its planned EUR 10m bond by November 15 from November 1. The move was requested by some of the interested investors, the company told APA news agency.
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The 29% stake of collapsed AvW in machinery group Binder+Co will be sold on November 11. There are six interested parties for the stake, including restructuring specialist Erhard Grossnigg.
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The capital hike of 10% of utility EVN was included in the trade register as of October 30. The number of issued shares grew by 30m to 330m.
Refractory material maker RHI said its EBIT before write-offs and restructuring costs soared to EUR 96.7m in the first nine months of 2010 from EUR 32.8m a year earlier. Net profit skyrocketed to EUR 88.8m from EUR 4m as last year it was hit by the financial crisis. Sales rose 24.6% to EUR 1.222bn, the firm said in a statement. RHI added it projects its sales to grow to EUR 1.5bn for full 2010 from EUR 1.24bn for 2009. CEO Henning Jensen also told APA news agency that RHI has bought the land plot for its green field investment in Brazil.
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The creditor banks of industrial holding A-Tec are ready to extend the company's financing to the end of October 2011. In return the banks want 40% in the group's most successful subsidiary AE&E. The other creditors to the company in principle accepted the proposal
*
Plastics maker Borealis posted a net profit of EUR 54m in the third quarter of 2010, up from EUR 47m a year earlier. Sales came in at EUR 1.590bn, down from EUR 1.614bn. OMV holds 36% in the company.
*
Online bookmaker Bwin rejected that it has any problems with the merger with UK PartyGaming. The deal is on track to be completed in the first quarter of the next year, Bwin said.
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SW Umwelttechnik AG has extended the subscription period for its planned EUR 10m bond by November 15 from November 1. The move was requested by some of the interested investors, the company told APA news agency.
*
The 29% stake of collapsed AvW in machinery group Binder+Co will be sold on November 11. There are six interested parties for the stake, including restructuring specialist Erhard Grossnigg.
*
The capital hike of 10% of utility EVN was included in the trade register as of October 30. The number of issued shares grew by 30m to 330m.
In BG Cinemas from Nov 5
Път с предимство (2010) / Due Date (САЩ) - Although it has its funny moments, this excuse for a movie is so absurd that next to it all Will Ferrell titles are great. It's a shame that Due Date comes from the man who brought us Hangover last year and also stars the so hot right now Robert Downey Jr. He, however, struggles with the completely illogical script, according to which there is no police in USA, a dog can walk untroubled in the hospital, kids can be beaten in the stomach and worst of all - pets do shameful in front of the camera. Doesn't bode well for Hangover 2... - Alexandra
TrailerАлфа и Омега 3D (2010) / Alpha and Omega 3D (САЩ) - In an era when every Pixar movie is a masterpiece and in a year which has seen exceptional animation titles such as Despicable Me and How To Train Your Dragon, the lack of quality of this poor wolf tale is more than obvious. The gags are so stupid, that only a five-year old would enjoy them, while the 3D offers nothing new to the grown-ups. A strictly children territory. Forum Film
TrailerСредиземноморска диета (2009) / Mediterranean Food (Испания) - A woman falls in love with two men simultaneously and the three form together a strange lifelong relationship - a plotline which only a Spanish film can master. And thankfully, the execution of the story is well-crafted, with the funny bits making this little movie a special treat to everyone who opts for it, instead of the usual Hollywood unimaginative stuff. Pro Films
четвъртък, 4 ноември 2010 г.
Austrian economic news in a flash - November 3
Top Story
Brick maker Wienerberger said its EBIT fell to EUR 17.6m in the first three quarters of 2010 from EUR 36.7m a year earlier. However, the company's net loss narrowed to EUR 13.5m from EUR 198.2m, while sales decreased 5% to EUR 1.343bn. Wienerberger expects the conditions in the construction sector to continue to be challenging in 2011. It is still optimistic as the cost structure and the product portfolio have been improved.
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Top Story
Car parts supplier Polytec said it booked a net profit of EUR 8.7m in the first nine months of 2010, compared to a loss of EUR 67.1m a year earlier. Sales improved 26.9% to EUR 550.2m. The company raised its sales forecast for full 2010 but said that it has still problems at its Automotive Systems division.
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Austrian Airlines should post a positive result in its long-haul business next year, executive Andreas Bierwirth said in Mumbai. AUA has relaunched its suspended Vienna-Mumbai flights this October.
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Raiffeisen Bank International plans to file a takeover offer for Polish Polbank, WirtschaftsBlatt reported, quoting informed sources. Offers can be submitted by November 11. Italian Intesa and French BNP Paribas are also said to be interested in Polbank, the paper added.
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Austrian builders Alpine and Strabag may be part of the motorway construction cartel, which is currently at the focus of the Slovak anti-trust authorities. Local daily Dnevnik reported that the investigation concerns 18 companies. The cartel is said to have made damages of EUR 2bn to the Slovenian state.
Brick maker Wienerberger said its EBIT fell to EUR 17.6m in the first three quarters of 2010 from EUR 36.7m a year earlier. However, the company's net loss narrowed to EUR 13.5m from EUR 198.2m, while sales decreased 5% to EUR 1.343bn. Wienerberger expects the conditions in the construction sector to continue to be challenging in 2011. It is still optimistic as the cost structure and the product portfolio have been improved.
*
Top Story
Car parts supplier Polytec said it booked a net profit of EUR 8.7m in the first nine months of 2010, compared to a loss of EUR 67.1m a year earlier. Sales improved 26.9% to EUR 550.2m. The company raised its sales forecast for full 2010 but said that it has still problems at its Automotive Systems division.
*
Austrian Airlines should post a positive result in its long-haul business next year, executive Andreas Bierwirth said in Mumbai. AUA has relaunched its suspended Vienna-Mumbai flights this October.
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Raiffeisen Bank International plans to file a takeover offer for Polish Polbank, WirtschaftsBlatt reported, quoting informed sources. Offers can be submitted by November 11. Italian Intesa and French BNP Paribas are also said to be interested in Polbank, the paper added.
*
Austrian builders Alpine and Strabag may be part of the motorway construction cartel, which is currently at the focus of the Slovak anti-trust authorities. Local daily Dnevnik reported that the investigation concerns 18 companies. The cartel is said to have made damages of EUR 2bn to the Slovenian state.
сряда, 3 ноември 2010 г.
Austrian economic news in a flash - 2 November 2010
Technology group Andritz AG said it had bought German pump maker Ritz Pumpenfabrik for an undisclosed sum. The acquired company generates annual sales of about EUR 40m. The deal is pending regulatory approval.
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Vienna's tourism is expected to bloom at least by March 2011, a study of Schoenbrunn palace operator SKB showed. The palace, one of the most visited sites in Vienna, attracted about 1m tourists in the first half of 2010, up by 5%. Vienna will also profit from short-term city trips.
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The banks negotiating on the future of insolvent industrial group A-Tec have offered bridge financing for the company until January 2011. Afterwards, the banks are demanding more guarantees as well as increased participation of A-Tec's saving by its owners, participators in the talks told APA news agency.
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The merger between CA Immobilien Anlagen AG and its eastern European unit CA Immo International AG will be put in the trade register as of November 16, the latter said. Probably CA Immo International AG will cease trading on the Vienna Stock Exchange as of November 15.
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The number of new passenger car registrations in Austria stood at 28,780 in October, up by 7.8% in annual terms. A total of 280,240 cars were registered in the first ten months of the year, Statistics Austria said.
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Vienna's tourism is expected to bloom at least by March 2011, a study of Schoenbrunn palace operator SKB showed. The palace, one of the most visited sites in Vienna, attracted about 1m tourists in the first half of 2010, up by 5%. Vienna will also profit from short-term city trips.
*
The banks negotiating on the future of insolvent industrial group A-Tec have offered bridge financing for the company until January 2011. Afterwards, the banks are demanding more guarantees as well as increased participation of A-Tec's saving by its owners, participators in the talks told APA news agency.
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The merger between CA Immobilien Anlagen AG and its eastern European unit CA Immo International AG will be put in the trade register as of November 16, the latter said. Probably CA Immo International AG will cease trading on the Vienna Stock Exchange as of November 15.
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The number of new passenger car registrations in Austria stood at 28,780 in October, up by 7.8% in annual terms. A total of 280,240 cars were registered in the first ten months of the year, Statistics Austria said.
вторник, 2 ноември 2010 г.
In BG Cinemas from Oct 29
Градът (2010) / The Town (САЩ) - Some critics and friends call the newest Ben Affleck- directed and starring movie one of the best films of the year. Unfortunately I still haven't found time to see the heist thriller (as I missed the press screening), but I'm sure that it would be worth it. The cast is great - Affleck, Renner!, Hamm!!! and the IMDB rating of 8.0 is more than promising. So go and seek it in the nearest cinema. Alexandra
Trailer
Trailer
Лесна, А? (2010) / Easy A (САЩ) - The Town may be among the best thrillers this time of the year, but Easy A is definitely one of the best comedies in the last five years! At first look the story looks superficial - a girl lies she has lost her virginity and everything around her changes, but the strong lead performance of Emma Stone (the lost Lindsay Lohan sister, anyone?), the steady supporting cast - Emma's screen parents Clarkson and Tucci are awesome, the never-ending laughs and the sharp lines make this unmissable! It already secured a place in my 2010 top ten and will be watched again and again... Alexandra
Убийствен пъзел VII (2010) / Saw VII (САЩ, Канада) - You know the drill with the Saw movies, so the only new thing the latest (hopefully final entry, before the inevitable remake/reboot) is the 3D trick which it offers. Thus, blood and gore fly from the screen, while the traps are once again super inventive. At least that is what people who witnessed this story-less film say afterwards. I personally ceased watching Saw with the second instalment... Alexandra
понеделник, 1 ноември 2010 г.
Austrian economic news in a flash - 29 October 2010
Top News
Erste Group said its net profit rose 2.3% to EUR 736.8m in the first nine months of 2010, surpassing analysts' projections. Credit risk provisions grew 9.6% to EUR 1.59bn. According to CEO Andreas Treichl, the operating profit in the third-quarter was the best third-quarter operating result in the bank's history.
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Top News
Henning Jensen, the newly-appointed CEO of refractory material specialist RHI AG, said the company plans to double its profit by 2015. Sales will have to go up to EUR 2bn from EUR 1.2bn currently, he told APA's news agency. RHI plans to pay dividend for 2010, for the first time in the last 10 years. The company will focus on own raw material production and improving of profitability.
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Erste Group expects to return in 2011 the EUR 1.2bn participation capital received from the state due to the financial crisis, CEO Andreas Treichl said. No capital increase for the move would be necessary, he added. The bank would be also able to achieve the Basel III targets earlier than planned, the CEO said.
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Brick maker Wienerberger said it has fully taken over its 75%-owned subsidiary Semmelrock. Wienerberger paid EUR 7m in cash as well as 1m of its own shares for the takeover.
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Hirsch Servo AG widened its EBIT loss to EUR 5.4m in fiscal 2009/10 from EUR 5.1m a year earlier. The net loss narrowed to EUR 6.2m from EUR 10.7m. The company said it projects a turnaround in fiscal 2010/11. The executive board will be reduced to two members, the firm added.
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The winter flight plan of Austrian Airlines to Russia has received a green light from the state, spokesman Martin Hehemann told APA news agency. Since the takeover of AUA by Lufthansa, Russia has been objecting with the nationality of AUA claiming it is no longer Austrian.
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voestalpine Stahl GmbH and Siemens VAI GmbH plan to divide their joint venture vatron gmbh, which focuses on R&D in the field of mechatronics. The transaction will be carried by the spring of 2011.
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Troubled bank OeVAG is said to be planning to sell its 51% in eastern European unit Volksbank International (VBI), Der Standard reported. The move becomes necessary after the bank's other plans for finding a strategic partner failed.
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The Austrian construction sector reported an order backlog of EUR 6.6bn at the end of July, down 7.6% on the year, Statistik Austria reported. The output of the sector for the first seven months of the year decreased 3.7% to EUR 7.4bn. Furthermore, the office reported that the industry and construction sector had sales of EUR 19.3bn in July 2010, up 7.7% in annual terms.
Erste Group said its net profit rose 2.3% to EUR 736.8m in the first nine months of 2010, surpassing analysts' projections. Credit risk provisions grew 9.6% to EUR 1.59bn. According to CEO Andreas Treichl, the operating profit in the third-quarter was the best third-quarter operating result in the bank's history.
*
Top News
Henning Jensen, the newly-appointed CEO of refractory material specialist RHI AG, said the company plans to double its profit by 2015. Sales will have to go up to EUR 2bn from EUR 1.2bn currently, he told APA's news agency. RHI plans to pay dividend for 2010, for the first time in the last 10 years. The company will focus on own raw material production and improving of profitability.
*
Erste Group expects to return in 2011 the EUR 1.2bn participation capital received from the state due to the financial crisis, CEO Andreas Treichl said. No capital increase for the move would be necessary, he added. The bank would be also able to achieve the Basel III targets earlier than planned, the CEO said.
*
Brick maker Wienerberger said it has fully taken over its 75%-owned subsidiary Semmelrock. Wienerberger paid EUR 7m in cash as well as 1m of its own shares for the takeover.
*
Hirsch Servo AG widened its EBIT loss to EUR 5.4m in fiscal 2009/10 from EUR 5.1m a year earlier. The net loss narrowed to EUR 6.2m from EUR 10.7m. The company said it projects a turnaround in fiscal 2010/11. The executive board will be reduced to two members, the firm added.
*
The winter flight plan of Austrian Airlines to Russia has received a green light from the state, spokesman Martin Hehemann told APA news agency. Since the takeover of AUA by Lufthansa, Russia has been objecting with the nationality of AUA claiming it is no longer Austrian.
*
voestalpine Stahl GmbH and Siemens VAI GmbH plan to divide their joint venture vatron gmbh, which focuses on R&D in the field of mechatronics. The transaction will be carried by the spring of 2011.
*
Troubled bank OeVAG is said to be planning to sell its 51% in eastern European unit Volksbank International (VBI), Der Standard reported. The move becomes necessary after the bank's other plans for finding a strategic partner failed.
*
The Austrian construction sector reported an order backlog of EUR 6.6bn at the end of July, down 7.6% on the year, Statistik Austria reported. The output of the sector for the first seven months of the year decreased 3.7% to EUR 7.4bn. Furthermore, the office reported that the industry and construction sector had sales of EUR 19.3bn in July 2010, up 7.7% in annual terms.
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