Germany · Country watch
IG Metall Strikes, Gas Reserve Costs, Siemens Energy Gains
IG Metall plans 24-hour strikes, gas reserve costs to rise, Siemens Energy reports record profits.
The picture Mixed How this is judged →
Business conditions in Germany are mixed. IG Metall's planned strikes could disrupt manufacturing, while the new gas reserve levy raises consumer costs. Siemens Energy's profit surge provides a positive note.
In this briefing German government · IG Metall · Siemens Energy
Regulation
Germany to establish national gas reserve, costs rise
The German government has approved the creation of a national gas reserve to secure supply during crises, according to ARD Tagesschau. This reserve aims to prevent disruptions from events like sabotage. The initiative will be funded through a levy on gas customers, potentially increasing their costs. The reserve is not intended to address high prices but to ensure supply stability.
Impact Gas consumers in Germany will see increased costs due to the new levy funding the national gas reserve.
Sources: ARD Tagesschau ↗
Internal tension
IG Metall plans 24-hour strikes amid wage dispute
Part of: IG Metall's strikes and protests in Germany's auto industry →
IG Metall, Germany's largest industrial union, is preparing for 24-hour strikes in the metal and electronics industries, Handelsblatt reports. This escalation follows unsuccessful wage negotiations. IG Metall seeks significant wage increases, citing inflation and rising living costs. Employers have expressed shock at the union's decision, warning of potential economic impacts. The union's board will meet on Thursday to finalize the strike plans.
Impact Manufacturers and automotive firms face potential production halts and increased labor costs due to the planned strikes.
Watch The IG Metall board will decide on the strike plans on Thursday. · 12 November 2026
Sources: Handelsblatt ↗
Companies
Siemens Energy reports 145% profit increase
Siemens Energy has reported a 145% increase in profits and a record order backlog of €164 billion, Die Welt reports. The company also announced a more than tripled dividend payout. Despite these strong results, investor skepticism remains. Siemens Energy is positioned to benefit from the expansion of data centers, according to market experts.
Impact Investors in Siemens Energy benefit from increased dividends and strong financial performance.
Sources: DIE WELT ↗
Nothing significant reported today in Disruption · Safety & health · Markets · Trade · Politics.
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Sources in this briefing
Sources: each headline links to the original article on the publisher's site.