PepsiCo is making a strategic turnaround in the US home market. After several quarters of price increases, the company plans to cut the prices of key snack brands like Lay’s, Doritos, Tostitos, and Cheetos by up to 15 percent. The move is a clear admission: The pricing power is reaching its limits.

The desire for beer continues to decline. Beer sales in Germany in 2025 have plummeted to levels not seen since the statistics began in the early 1990s. In addition to weak consumer sentiment, long-term trends are also changing drinking behavior—with clear consequences for the brewing industry.

The dollar is falling – rapidly, noticeably, and with political overtones. Within twelve months, the US currency has lost more than ten percent, and the euro has risen to over 1.20 dollars. For consumers in Europe, this initially sounds like cheaper imports and more affordable raw materials. However, for financial markets and the global economy, a declining dollar is a highly sensitive signal: because the greenback is not just a currency, but the operating system of the global financial system.

Gold currently knows only one direction: upwards. On the night of Thursday, the precious metal surpassed the mark of $5,500 per ounce for the first time in its history. The new all-time high is around $5,588, calculated in euros at 4,663 euros. What looks like a classic commodity rally is, in reality, a vote of no confidence against the global monetary system - and a signal of growing nervousness in the financial markets.

The German labor market is starting the new year weakly. In January, the number of unemployed has risen significantly again and has exceeded the three-million mark for the first time in almost twelve years. Although the authorities point to seasonal effects, the data shows more than just a typical winter slump. The momentum in the labor market is noticeably decreasing.

According to a report by the Financial Times, the US automotive giants Ford and General Motors are negotiating a bailout package with the insolvent supplier First Brands Group. The aim is to secure the supply of critical components during the Chapter 11 proceedings and prevent a production halt.

The trade policy of U.S. President Donald Trump is once again causing unrest in the markets. With the announcement to raise import tariffs on South Korean goods from 15 to 25 percent, Washington is putting pressure on the government in Seoul and major industrial companies like Hyundai and Kia. Especially the automotive and pharmaceutical industries are coming into focus in an escalating economic policy conflict.