Germany's 2026 economic growth to get boost from extra working days

Germany has announced its support for Greek finance chief Kyriakos Pierrakakis to lead the monthly meetings of euro-area finance ministers, as confirmed by Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil. This endorsement comes amid ongoing discussions about leadership roles within the Eurogroup, which is crucial for economic decision-making in Europe.

The latest Market Talks provide insights into Germany's chemical and pharmaceutical companies, as well as London's mining sector, reflecting current trends in the basic materials market. This roundup highlights key players and their performance amidst evolving market conditions.

Novo Nordisk's shares have faced significant declines following the announcement that its Ozempic medication failed to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease in clinical trials. This news has emerged amid broader economic concerns affecting the German market, where business sentiment has also dropped.

Germany is positioning itself to actively participate in the race for the presidency of the European Central Bank (ECB), a role that has never been held by a German national. This ambition comes amid significant economic challenges facing the country, which has recently been labeled the 'sick man of Europe.'

The former chief executive of Nexperia, a Dutch semiconductor company, revealed that Dutch officials were aware for years of the company's Chinese owner’s intentions to transfer technology to China. This revelation follows the Dutch government's seizure of Nexperia in September, amid rising concerns over technology security.

German exports saw a slight increase in October, driven primarily by strong demand for goods within the European Union, which helped mitigate the slowdown in exports to the United States due to tariffs. This development highlights the resilience of Germany's export sector amidst external challenges.