GermanyOwnership & classification
Founded: 1946
Ownership
Handelsblatt is Germany's leading business and financial daily, founded in Düsseldorf in 1946 under a British licence (initially by Herbert Gross, soon led by publisher Friedrich Vogel). The Holtzbrinck publishing family acquired a 50% stake in 1968 and full control of the Verlagsgruppe Handelsblatt by the 1980s. Today it is published by Handelsblatt Media Group, owned by Dieter von Holtzbrinck Medien GmbH (DvH Medien), the holding Dieter von Holtzbrinck built after 2009 (which also holds stakes in Die Zeit and Der Tagesspiegel).
Funding
Financed commercially through print and premium digital subscriptions, advertising and business-information products, under private family ownership.
Affiliation & stance
Handelsblatt takes a business-friendly, economically liberal center-right line, but it is privately owned by the Holtzbrinck family holding with no party or state control. Private commercial ownership makes it INDEPENDENT, matching the site's center-right lean.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Right
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 421
75/100
Factual
70/100
Objective
570
Articles
570
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
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Recent coverage
SAP wants to finance AI expansion with austerity measures
SAP, der Softwarekonzernt, plant Sparmaßnahmen wie reduzierte Neueinstellungen und eingeschränkte Dienstreisen, um Mittel für den Ausbau seiner KI-Technologien zu sichern. Ein SAP-Sprecher bestätigte einen Bericht von Bloomberg, wonach das Management künftig nur spezifische KI-Profilen Priorität gibt und interne Veranstaltungen ohne KI-Bezug aussetzt. Die Maßnahmen sind Teil einer breiteren Strategie, Ressourcen in KI-kompetentes Personal und Technologie zu investieren. SAP-Chef Christian Klein betont seit längerem die KI-Integration, doch die Vertrauenswerte unter Mitarbeitern sanken, und die Aktie verlor seit Jahresbeginn 30 Prozent an Wert.
Khamenei funeral: Is Iran's new ruler making his first public appearance?
The article discusses the delayed funeral rites of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed by an Israeli airstrike early in the Iran-Israel conflict. The delay is attributed to fears of further attacks by Israel and the U.S., as well as potential injuries to his son, Modschtaba Khamenei, who has not publicly appeared since taking power in March. The article highlights internal divisions within Iran’s leadership over whether the new leader should attend the funeral, with two factions claiming to represent Khamenei’s will. It also mentions the participation of high-ranking military figures like Ahmad Vahidi, commander of the Revolutionary Guard, during the preparations. The piece notes concerns from the U.S. about potential Israeli actions against Iranian officials during negotiations.
Early World Cup exit for Germany: What went wrong?
Germany's football national team suffered an early exit from the World Cup by losing 3:4 to Paraguay in a penalty shootout during the round of 16. This marks the third consecutive failure to advance beyond the group stage at a World Cup, having previously been eliminated in the group phase in 2018 and 2022. The match ended 1:1 after extra time, with Germany's players failing to convert their penalties, including Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade, and Jonathan Tah. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer made strong saves but could not prevent the defeat. Since winning the World Cup in 2014, Germany has not won any knockout game at a World Cup. This was the first loss in a World Cup penalty shootout for the German team, which had previously won all four such encounters. Several key players underperformed, including captain Joshua Kimmich, Florian Wirtz, and Jamal Musiala, who struggled due to injury and poor form. Defensive issues and lack of attacking momentum were also significant factors. Injuries to players like Serge Gnabry and Lennart Karl further weakened the squad. Coach Julian Nagelsmann faced criticism for his tactical decisions, including retaining Kimmich as a right-back despite his struggles
Stock market record: the Dax is up and down
The article discusses recent stock market performance, highlighting Bayer's significant gains linked to a landmark Supreme Court decision regarding Monsanto. It notes that while Bayer's success has contributed to the DAX reaching new record levels above 25,000 points, other factors such as economic reform proposals by the coalition committee are also influencing investor behavior. The piece emphasizes that investors are seeking opportunities amid geopolitical tensions and uncertainty, looking to sectors that might benefit from reforms. However, it acknowledges the risks involved, noting that there are no guarantees but long-term confidence in the stock market remains.
Putin recognizes the oil map for the first time
Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged for the first time that Russia is building 'some oil reserves' during a meeting focused on energy issues. He emphasized the need to strengthen domestic oil production and increase output. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continued their attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, detonating an oil purification plant in the southern Krasnodar region, which produces around four million tons of crude oil annually. The Krasnodar region is one of Russia's largest oil-producing areas located near the Black Sea. On Tuesday, Ukrainian forces launched large-scale air strikes on Sevastopol, the largest city on Crimea, including attacks on oil facilities. In response, Russia, which annexed Crimea in 2014, has restricted fuel sales to the public to counteract the energy shortages. According to reports, these attacks have had no impact on the front line. During an interview with a Russian state television station, Putin described the Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure as an attempt to destabilize Russian society. He stated that Ukraine's goal was to halt the deployment of Russian military units to improve their position in arms control talks.
Debate on the firewall: the AfD asks no one these questions
The article discusses two contrasting situations involving the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). The first involves a friendly interaction between AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund and CDU politician Guido Heuer during a public event in Halberstadt, where they appear to have a cordial relationship despite their political differences. This moment sparked controversy, with some criticizing such interactions during the election campaign. Heuer later had to publicly reaffirm his commitment to the 'Unvereinbarkeitsbeschluss' (incompatibility decision), which prohibits cooperation with the AfD. The second situation involves Hans-Thomas Tillschneider, a deputy leader of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt, who stated in a podcast that the AfD would not consider forming a coalition with the CDU. However, this statement received no significant reaction, unlike similar actions by CDU politicians, which face scrutiny. The article highlights that while the AfD appears divided on the issue of cooperating with the CDU, the public does not hold them accountable in the same way as the CDU.
AI-Update: Germany app, OpenAI offers participation, AI as the boss, Git-AI tool
The article discusses several developments related to artificial intelligence (AI) and digital initiatives in Germany. The 'Deutschland-App' project by the Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs aims to simplify access to administrative services through a mobile app featuring chatbots and AI-generated video avatars, set for launch in 2027. The federal government plans to establish a task force called 'KI-Nation' to coordinate national AI efforts, focusing on areas like frontier AI, security, infrastructure, and societal impact. Microsoft is expanding its data center operations in the Rhine Region, with a new facility in Grevenbroich expected to attract industrial clients from North Rhine-Westphalia. Environmental groups have raised concerns about the energy consumption of such facilities. Additionally, there are reports that the EU might relax sustainability requirements for data centers, allowing more lenient green energy certification practices.
IG Metall announces 'hot summer' for the car industry
Workers at Mercedes-Benz in Germany are protesting against the company's intensified cost-cutting measures, including delayed special payments and potential demands for employees to work more for the same pay. The trade union IG Metall has called for nationwide protests across multiple locations, including Stuttgart, Bremen, Berlin, and Hamburg, warning that further actions are planned if the automotive industry continues its strategy of reducing jobs and outsourcing. The union argues that workers are being unfairly blamed for industry crises caused by management errors and geopolitical conflicts, rather than receiving genuine solutions. Mercedes-Benz acknowledges employee concerns but emphasizes the need to reduce costs to remain competitive, stating that the board had informed the works council of these plans beforehand.
Earthquake in Venezuela: Android devices have warned more than 11 million people
In Venezuela, Android smartphones issued earthquake warnings to over 11 million people during recent strong tremors, potentially saving lives. According to the New York Times, citing data from Google, the acceleration sensors in these devices detected shaking three seconds after the earthquakes began, sending alerts six seconds later to areas most affected. Another six seconds later, a larger area including the capital Caracas was warned, with millions of devices receiving notifications six seconds after that. The exact impact of these warnings remains unclear. The country lacks a national earthquake warning system. Two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck early Wednesday evening local time, leaving at least 1,450 dead according to official reports, though unofficial platforms suggest over 47,000 people are still missing. More than 70,000 families now rely on humanitarian aid, with many sleeping outdoors or in emergency shelters. Venezuela was already facing significant challenges before this natural disaster, including political instability following the U.S. military's reported capture and removal of President Nicolás Maduro earlier this year.
Real Estate: Where to Buy in Germany Again
The article titled 'Immobilien: Wo sich Kaufen in Deutschland nun wieder lohnt' by Handelsblatt discusses the current state of the real estate market in Germany, highlighting regions where purchasing property has become more attractive again. It examines factors such as price trends, rental yields, and economic conditions that influence investment decisions. The piece suggests that certain areas are experiencing renewed interest due to improved market dynamics and potential returns for buyers. While the article provides insights into regional variations and market performance, it does not present a balanced view of all segments of the housing market.
Package of reforms: married, single or parents?
The article titled 'Reformpaket: Ehepaar, Single oder Eltern? Errechnen Sie Ihr künftiges Netto' by Handelsblatt discusses a proposed reform package in Germany that aims to adjust net income calculations for different household types, including married couples, single individuals, and parents. The piece invites readers to calculate their potential future net income based on these changes, highlighting how the new system might affect various family structures. It provides information on the current tax and social security framework and outlines the implications of the reforms for different demographic groups. The focus is on explaining the financial impact of the policy changes rather than taking a political stance.
Armaments: Regions and sectors to benefit from the armaments boom
The article by Handelsblatt discusses the potential economic benefits of the defense industry boom, focusing on which regions and sectors in Germany could gain from increased military spending. It highlights how certain areas, particularly those with strong industrial bases and specialized manufacturing capabilities, might see growth opportunities. The piece examines the impact on various industries such as aerospace, electronics, and materials science, while also considering the broader implications for regional economies. No specific data or official sources are cited within the text.
Car manufacturer: Production of the Mercedes' fateful model stalled
The article reports that the production of Mercedes' flagship model is slowing down, raising concerns about the automaker's future. This development comes amid broader challenges facing the automotive industry, including shifting consumer preferences and regulatory pressures. The slowdown in production could impact Mercedes' market position and financial performance. Industry analysts suggest that this trend reflects ongoing difficulties in maintaining competitiveness in a rapidly evolving sector.
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