The level of sick leave in Germany has developed into a macroeconomic problem of considerable magnitude. According to a recent study by the Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (VFA), illness-related work absences now cost the German economy around 40 billion euros per year. For four consecutive years, the sick leave rate has been significantly above the long-term average, with noticeable impacts on productivity, growth, and competitiveness.

The transatlantic order is crumbling. Militarily, politically, economically—and now perhaps financially as well. Yet, precisely there, in the bond and capital markets, lies Europe's greatest, thus far hardly utilized leverage against a U.S. president who measures power in deals and views dependencies as leverage. A foreign exchange strategist's statement puts it succinctly: "Europe owns Greenland, it also owns a lot of Treasuries." This sober assertion contains more geopolitics than many summit declarations.

With a valuation on par with Deutsche Bank and an organization that operates like a permanent startup incubator, Revolut founder Nik Storonsky is driving the transformation of his company into the first truly global digital bank.

The threat of new US tariffs has caused turmoil in the financial markets and unexpectedly provided the Protestant Church in Germany with additional income. Ironically, the wave of sales by apprehensive investors led church tax revenues to soar. The Protestant Church in the Rhineland alone recorded a significant financial windfall as a result. However, despite this special effect, the austerity measures remain in place.

The German export sector is starting the new year with a bitter disappointment. In November, exports declined as sharply as they have not done in approximately 18 months. Particularly, the demand from the USA and Europe is noticeably weakening—a development that surprises economists and further exacerbates concerns about the economy.

The German labor market is faltering, large corporations are cutting jobs, and bankruptcies dominate the headlines. Yet more and more young people are choosing to venture into self-employment. New figures show: The entrepreneurial dynamism in Germany is noticeably increasing – despite challenging conditions.

The German industry surprises with unexpectedly strong figures. For the third consecutive time, the order situation has increased – and more than economists had predicted. The current data fuel hopes for economic stabilization, even though a real trend reversal is not yet secured.