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Last refreshed: 07/06/2026 21:40 · 36 articles added
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Economy

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Economy

Slovak Young Workers Face Rising Employment Barriers as Employers Demand More Experience

Young people in Slovakia are encountering increasingly difficult conditions in the job market as employers raise their requirements and expectations. Companies are seeking job-ready candidates, with half of job postings now requiring prior work experience even from recent graduates. An analysis by Profesie, a Slovak job portal, reveals how automation and changing workplace demands are reshaping entry-level employment opportunities and making it harder for young workers to secure their first positions in the labor market.

Aktuality
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Economy

Slovnaft and Orlen Record Exceptional Profits with Margins Rising by Tens of Percent

Slovakia's largest oil refinery Slovnaft and its Polish parent company Orlen have achieved extraordinary profit margins, with increases of tens of percent above normal levels. The companies capitalized on market conditions to generate substantially higher earnings than typical industry standards. The development raises questions about how the energy companies managed to secure such exceptional profitability during a period when fuel prices have been a major concern for Slovak consumers and businesses.

SME
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Economy

Slovakia Prepares to End Oil Emergency State as Fuel Price Crisis Continues

Slovakia plans to lift its state of oil emergency next week, according to government officials. The emergency measures were implemented to address disruptions in fuel supply and pricing that have resulted in dual pricing systems at gas stations across the country. The situation has particularly affected Slovnaft, Slovakia's main oil refinery, which has been grappling with supply chain challenges. The state of emergency allowed the government to take extraordinary measures to ensure fuel availability, but questions remain about how long the current dual pricing system will continue and what long-term impact the crisis will have on Slovak fuel markets.

Aktuality
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Economy

Energy Market Tensions Could Threaten Financial Stability, ECB Warns

The European Central Bank has warned that tensions in energy markets could pose risks to financial stability across the eurozone. The warning comes as preliminary estimates show inflation in the eurozone surged sharply in March compared to the same period last year. The ECB's concern reflects the potential for volatile energy prices to create broader economic instability beyond their direct impact on consumer prices, potentially affecting banking systems and financial markets across the 19-country currency bloc.

SME
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Economy

Slovakia's Tax Revenue Nearly Meets Full-Year Target by End of November

Slovakia's state budget tax revenues reached nearly their full annual target by the end of November, falling short of planned collections by only 58.9 million euros. The strong performance indicates robust tax collection throughout most of the year, with actual revenues coming within a small margin of government projections. This near-complete fulfillment of tax revenue targets suggests stable economic activity and effective tax administration, providing the government with most of the expected fiscal resources for its annual spending plans.

SME
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Economy

Tesla Reports Higher Car Sales But Falls Short of Analyst Expectations

Tesla announced increased vehicle sales figures, but the results failed to meet analyst forecasts. The sales numbers come after what the company described as an unstable year in 2024, suggesting ongoing volatility in the electric vehicle market. The mixed results highlight the challenges Tesla faces in maintaining growth momentum amid changing market conditions and increased competition in the electric vehicle sector.

SME
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Economy

Invasive Stink Bugs Devastate Slovak Crops After Spreading from Ethiopia

Invasive stink bugs are causing significant crop damage across Slovakia, threatening agricultural yields for local farmers. The pest species, which originally spread from Ethiopia, has become a major agricultural problem as it feeds on various crops and proves difficult to control. The invasion represents a growing challenge for Slovak agriculture, as farmers struggle to protect their harvests from these destructive insects that can cause substantial economic losses to the agricultural sector.

SME
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Economy

German diesel prices hit record high despite government measures

Diesel prices in Germany reached a new record high despite government intervention measures designed to control fuel costs. Global fuel prices have surged sharply in recent weeks due to the war in Iran, creating upward pressure on energy markets across Europe. The price increases highlight the challenges facing European governments in shielding consumers from volatile international energy markets during ongoing geopolitical conflicts.

SME
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Economy

Slovak Media Group TMR Reports 58 Million Euro Loss as Austrian Business Venture Fails

TMR, a Slovak media group, suffered an extreme financial loss of 58 million euros last year, marking a significant setback for the company's business operations. The massive deficit was attributed to an unsuccessful business venture led by company executive Rattaj, who had attempted to expand the group's operations into the Austrian market by offering business consulting services. The figures for the previous year represent a concerning development for the media group, highlighting the risks of international expansion efforts that failed to generate expected returns.

SME
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Economy

Eastern Slovakia May Face Sicily-Like Population Decline as Property Values Drop

Eastern Slovakia could experience demographic decline similar to that seen in Sicily, with real estate values already beginning to deteriorate in the region. Population projections indicate that within fifteen years, three out of ten potential homebuyers will disappear from the market due to demographic changes. This trend reflects broader concerns about regional depopulation in Slovakia's eastern regions, where economic opportunities remain limited compared to the western parts of the country. The demographic shift threatens to create a cycle of declining property values and reduced investment, potentially leaving eastern Slovakia economically marginalized.

SME
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Economy

Gold prices drop sharply despite weekly gains as Trump vows continued Iran strikes

Gold prices fell significantly following Donald Trump's announcement that he would continue attacks on Iran. Despite the sharp decline, gold is expected to maintain overall weekly gains. The precious metal's volatility reflects market uncertainty over escalating Middle East tensions, as investors typically view gold as a safe-haven asset during geopolitical crises. Trump's commitment to ongoing military action against Iran has created mixed signals in commodity markets, with gold experiencing both flight-to-safety buying and profit-taking by traders.

SME
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Economy

Slovak President Urges Finance Minister to Show Courage in Supporting Economic Growth

Slovakia's president has called on the finance minister to demonstrate courage in implementing measures to boost economic growth. The proposed measures would focus on improving the business environment, reforming the tax and contribution system, and supporting investments. The ruling coalition council is scheduled to discuss these economic measures after the upcoming holidays.

SME
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Economy

Diesel shortages hit Slovak gas stations as government price measures drive demand

Some gas stations across Slovakia are experiencing diesel fuel shortages as Slovnaft, the country's main refiner, struggles to keep up with delivery demands. Prime Minister Robert Fico attributed the shortages to increased demand driven by lower diesel prices resulting from government interventions. The government measures, which are set to expire on April 18, have successfully reduced fuel costs but created supply bottlenecks. Fico acknowledged that additional measures may be necessary beyond the current deadline, suggesting the government views the shortages as evidence that their price control policies are working effectively.

Dennik N
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Economy

German Fuel Prices Hit Historic Highs Despite Government Intervention

Diesel fuel prices in Germany have broken historic records despite government efforts to contain costs, creating mounting pressure on motorists across Europe's largest economy. The German automobile association ADAC has issued warnings about disproportionate price increases that are affecting drivers nationwide. The crisis highlights the ongoing challenges European governments face in managing energy costs amid broader economic pressures, with fuel price spikes threatening to impact transportation costs and consumer spending in one of the continent's most important automotive markets.

Aktuality
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Economy

Slovak Government Bond Investors Receive First Returns from 2023 Public Bond Program

Investors have received their first returns from Slovakia's "Bonds for People" program launched last year. The Central Securities Depository of the Slovak Republic (CDCP) confirmed Thursday that the payout of bond yields through a central depository system follows standard international practices used abroad. The "Bonds for People" initiative was designed to allow ordinary citizens to invest directly in Slovak government bonds, representing part of the government's broader effort to democratize public investment opportunities and reduce reliance on traditional banking intermediaries for government financing.

TASR/Teraz
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Economy

Slovakia's Dôvera Health Insurance Company Reports €30.3 Million Profit for Previous Year

Dôvera, one of Slovakia's major health insurance companies, closed the previous year with a profit of €30.3 million. The company plans to divide this sum into two parts, though specific details about the allocation were not disclosed. Dôvera operates as one of the key players in Slovakia's mixed public-private health insurance system, which provides mandatory health coverage for Slovak citizens and residents.

SME
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Economy

Slovakia Plans 2.8 Billion Euro Public-Private Partnership for Bridge Repairs

Slovakia has announced a major public-private partnership (PPP) project worth nearly 2.8 billion euros to repair and maintain the country's bridge infrastructure. The comprehensive 35-year project includes a five-year pre-construction and building phase, followed by 30 years of operation and maintenance of the bridges. The project represents one of Slovakia's largest infrastructure investments, addressing the deteriorating condition of bridges across the national road network. PPP arrangements allow private companies to finance, build, and operate public infrastructure projects in exchange for long-term payments from the government, spreading costs over decades rather than requiring immediate large capital expenditures.

TASR/Teraz
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Economy

Middle East Conflict Already Imposing Economic Costs as Inflation Accelerates

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is beginning to generate economic consequences as inflationary pressures intensify, according to analysts from the Institute for Financial Policy (IFP). The situation has raised particular concerns about the fertilizer market, where disruptions could have significant impacts. The Middle East serves as one of the world's primary fertilizer producers, with these essential agricultural products often manufactured as byproducts during fossil fuel extraction. This dual dependency creates vulnerability for global food production chains, as any disruption to Middle Eastern energy operations could simultaneously affect both fuel and fertilizer supplies, potentially driving up costs for agricultural producers worldwide.

TASR/Teraz
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Economy

Slow Growth: Why Top Investors Do Nothing

Financial experts and historical data demonstrate that the most successful investors achieve wealth through patience rather than active trading, contradicting popular beliefs about quick profits. Research shows that attempting to get rich overnight, while appealing to many, goes against proven investment principles backed by scientific studies and market history. The approach of doing nothing - maintaining long-term positions rather than frequent buying and selling - has consistently outperformed more aggressive trading strategies among professional investors.

SME
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Economy

Slovak Banks Require Property Insurance for All Mortgage Loans

Slovak banks mandate property insurance as a standard requirement for all mortgage applicants purchasing apartments or houses. The insurance requirement, which may appear merely formal to first-time buyers, represents a crucial step in the mortgage approval process alongside selecting an appropriate lender. This practice protects both the bank's investment and the borrower's property against potential damage or loss throughout the loan term.

Aktuality
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