Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
♥ Support DávkaNewsletter
Last refreshed: 07/06/2026 05:36 · 18 articles added
Stories are refreshed at 05:30, 10:30, 15:30, and 21:30 UTC.

Economy

View all1460 stories
Economy

New EU Regulations to End Era of 'Fast Deliveries' for Slovak Businesses

Slovak companies face significant logistical challenges as new European Union regulations set to take effect in summer 2026 will require mandatory intelligent tachographs for smaller delivery vehicles in international transport. The regulations will fundamentally limit the flexibility that Slovak businesses have traditionally relied on for cross-border deliveries. Transport experts warn that many companies are unprepared for the changes, which will end the current era of quick, flexible delivery services that have become a cornerstone of Slovak logistics operations. The new rules represent a major shift in how smaller freight operations will need to operate across EU borders.

Aktuality
|
Economy

Slovak logistics chief: Labor shortage forces companies to rely on warehouse robots

The head of logistics at NAY, a Slovak company, says there are too few workers available in the labor market to handle current warehouse demands without automation. The executive stated that robots have become essential for managing today's high volume of warehouse operations, as human workers alone cannot cope with the workload. The company has turned to automated systems as speed, precision, and specialized services have become crucial factors in competing for customers in Slovakia's logistics sector.

Aktuality
|
Economy

Three Slovak Investors Outperform S&P 500 Index in 2025

Three Slovak investors achieved exceptional returns in 2025, significantly outperforming the globally recognized S&P 500 index on the eToro trading platform. The trio belongs to a new generation of "Popular Investors" who approach financial markets with professional discipline, demonstrating that successful investing is no longer exclusively reserved for Wall Street elites. Their performance came during a strong year for stock markets globally, but their results stood out even against this favorable backdrop.

Aktuality
|
Economy

Slovak Economist Explores Why Success and Wealth Face Public Skepticism in New Book on Prosperity

Slovak economist Róbert Chovanculiak has published a new book examining the drivers of prosperity and addressing why successful and wealthy individuals often face negative public attitudes in Slovakia. In the work, Chovanculiak explores what he terms "useful bytes" - intangible elements that he argues are the invisible engines of modern prosperity, transforming scarce resources into contemporary wealth. The economist discusses how capital functions as a "time machine" and examines the barriers preventing Slovakia's economy from achieving significant growth leaps. The book addresses fundamental economic questions, including why traditional mathematics appears to change in free market systems, where "one plus one suddenly equals three," referring to how market mechanisms can create value beyond simple addition of inputs.

Aktuality
|
Economy

Bratislava Hilton Hotel Seeks Government Contracts After Russian Oligarch Sells Stake

The Hilton hotel in Bratislava has registered in Slovakia's anti-shell company registry, indicating plans to bid for state contracts, following a change in ownership structure among its oligarch investors. The luxury hotel was previously connected to three prominent oligarchs: Juraj Široký, Jozef Brhel, and Miroslav Výboh. Recent registry records show that a Russian businessman close to Výboh has divested his stake in the hotel property. Registration in Slovakia's anti-shell company registry is required for companies seeking to participate in public procurement processes and receive state funding, suggesting the hotel's ownership is positioning the business to compete for government contracts.

Aktuality
|
Economy

Export-Import Bank Presents Support Methods for Slovak Exporters to Embassies

Slovakia's Export-Import Bank (Eximbanka) has presented its support mechanisms for Slovak exporters to diplomatic missions, highlighting the challenges companies face when entering new markets. The state-owned export credit agency outlined how it assists Slovak businesses in overcoming the various risks associated with international expansion. Eximbanka serves as Slovakia's official export credit agency, providing financial support and insurance to help Slovak companies compete internationally and manage the commercial and political risks of exporting to foreign markets.

SME
|
Economy

Oil prices surge sharply as Brent hits highest level since early 2022

Oil prices rose sharply, with Brent crude reaching its highest level since the beginning of 2022. The price surge comes as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to continue implementing naval blockade measures against Iran, a major oil producer in the Middle East. The anticipated continuation of strict sanctions and enforcement actions against Iranian oil exports is driving market concerns about potential supply disruptions in global energy markets.

SME
|
Economy

Oil Price Surge Following Trump's Iran Threats Weighs on European Markets Ahead of Fed Decision

Oil prices surged after Donald Trump issued threats against Iran, creating ripple effects across global markets as European stocks fell and major indices declined. The Middle East tensions pushed crude prices higher, dampening investor sentiment in European equity markets. The market volatility comes as investors await the Federal Reserve's upcoming monetary policy decision, which could further influence trading patterns and market direction.

Aktuality
|
Economy

Slovenská sporiteľňa Raises Mortgage Interest Rates for Second Time in Two Months

Slovenská sporiteľňa, one of Slovakia's largest banks, will increase mortgage interest rates on selected loan terms starting May 4. The bank will raise rates on one-year fixed mortgages to 4.19 percent from the current 4.09 percent. This marks the second mortgage rate increase by the bank within the past two months, reflecting broader trends in the Slovak banking sector as financial institutions adjust to changing economic conditions and monetary policy.

SMETASR/Teraz
|
Economy

German Companies Plan More Job Cuts Due to Global Crises

German companies are planning to eliminate more jobs as global economic pressures mount, according to recent reports. The unresolved conflict in the Middle East is identified as a primary factor weighing heavily on the world economy. The anticipated job cuts reflect broader concerns about economic stability as businesses respond to ongoing geopolitical tensions and their impact on international markets.

SMETASR/Teraz
|
Economy

Aston Martin Reduces Net Loss in First Quarter

British luxury automaker Aston Martin reduced its net loss during the first quarter of the year. The company also announced it will receive new financial resources from its largest shareholder to support its operations.

TASR/Teraz
|
Economy

Construction Firm Behind Controversial Slovak State Contracts Seeks Bankruptcy Protection

Hyca, a construction company from Pezinok, has filed for judicial protection from creditors after facing mounting financial difficulties. The firm, which also manufactures truck superstructures, has been involved in several controversial state contracts and is currently burdened by penalties for the delayed completion of a NATO military camp. The company's business has declined significantly in recent years, and after narrowly avoiding bankruptcy last year, it now acknowledges having excessive debt levels. Hyca has appeared in multiple problematic public procurement cases, raising questions about the management of state contracts in Slovakia.

Dennik N
|
Economy

Slovak Government Raises Deficit Target, Abandons Pre-Election Austerity Plans

Slovakia's government has increased its planned public finance deficit target and moved away from its original fiscal promises. The cabinet now aims for a deficit of 4.2 percent of GDP by 2027, abandoning its previous target of 3.5 percent for that year. Prime Minister Robert Fico's administration, which leads a coalition government, justified the revision by citing unfavorable global economic developments. However, economist Martin Šuster argues that the government has partially given up on budget consolidation efforts. The timing is significant as 2027 is an election year in Slovakia, suggesting the government is prioritizing spending over fiscal restraint ahead of the vote.

Dennik N
|
Economy

Road Transport Association Elects New Leadership with Former President Returning

Česmad Slovakia, the country's road transport association, has elected new leadership with Pavol Jančovič returning to serve as president of the organization. The association, which represents road freight carriers and transport companies, conducted leadership elections that resulted in a change of management structure while bringing back a previous leader to head the organization.

SME
|
Economy

Finnish elevator manufacturer completes record acquisition of German competitor

A Finnish elevator manufacturing company has completed a record-breaking acquisition of a German competitor, creating a new corporate group that will be headquartered in Finland. The deal represents the largest acquisition in the sector, though specific financial details and the names of the companies involved were not disclosed. The merger consolidates two major players in the European elevator industry under Finnish ownership, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape in the sector.

SME
|
Economy

Slovak Tax Authorities Uncover €42 Million in Tax Violations During March Inspections

Slovakia's Financial Administration discovered tax violations worth over €42 million during inspections conducted in March, the agency announced. The controls revealed various forms of tax evasion and fraudulent activities across multiple businesses and sectors. The most serious case involved a carousel fraud scheme, where companies falsely claimed to export goods to other European Union countries without declaring value-added tax (VAT). This type of fraud exploits EU trade rules by creating fictitious export transactions to avoid paying domestic VAT while claiming refunds on input taxes. The Financial Administration, Slovakia's tax collection agency, conducts regular inspections to ensure compliance with tax laws and combat tax evasion. Carousel fraud schemes have become a significant concern for tax authorities across the EU, as they can result in substantial losses to state revenues while creating unfair competitive advantages for participating businesses.

Aktuality
|
Economy

Slovak Household Wealth Hits Record High Despite Economic Slowdown

Slovak household financial wealth reached a record 124 billion euros in 2024, rising by more than 8 percent despite a sluggish domestic economy. The increase was driven primarily by favorable developments in financial markets rather than economic growth at home. While wages grew slowly last year and residents reduced both consumption and savings due to rising taxes, the strong performance of financial investments boosted overall household wealth to unprecedented levels. The contrast highlights how global market optimism outweighed weak local economic conditions in determining Slovak household financial prosperity.

Dennik N
|
Economy

Jaguar Land Rover Plant in Nitra to Halt Operations on May 8

Employees at the Jaguar Land Rover automotive plant in Nitra will not work on Friday, May 8, according to company announcements. The shutdown applies to all production and non-production workers at the facility. The British luxury carmaker operates one of Slovakia's major automotive manufacturing plants in Nitra, a city in western Slovakia that has become a key industrial hub. The automotive sector represents a crucial component of Slovakia's economy, with several major international manufacturers maintaining production facilities in the country.

TASR/Teraz
|
Economy

Banco Santander Reports 60% Profit Surge in First Quarter

Spanish banking giant Banco Santander reported a profit increase of more than 60 percent in the first quarter of this year. The financial firm's earnings were significantly boosted by a net income of 1.9 billion euros from the sale of assets in Poland during the three-month period.

TASR/Teraz
|
Economy

ECB Reports Accelerated Business Lending Growth in Eurozone During March

Business lending in the eurozone accelerated in March, according to data from the European Central Bank. The ECB reported that credit growth to companies picked up pace during the month, signaling continued economic activity across the 20-country currency bloc. Household lending also maintained its upward trajectory, though the growth rate remained unchanged from previous months. The lending data provides insight into credit conditions across the eurozone, where monetary policy decisions by the ECB influence borrowing costs and economic growth throughout member countries including Slovakia.

TASR/Teraz
|