The semiconductor industry is considered one of the biggest beneficiaries of the AI boom. Investors therefore kept a close eye on the sector’s figures for the first three months of 2025. One thing became clear: the expansion of AI infrastructure continues to deliver good results for most chip companies â but the sword of Damocles in the form of impending US tariffs is still hanging over industry giants such as Nvidia & Co. Read more in today’s blog post.
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Do Eastern European bonds offer opportunities?
The war in Ukraine led to losses for Russian bonds. In an interview for OUR VIEW, fund manager Anton Hauser explains why government bonds from Eastern Europe offer an alternative.

Investment update: Some stabilization despite ongoing bombardment
Although volatility and uncertainty remain particularly high in the capital markets, there has been some stabilization and, most recently, a slight recovery in the equity markets since last week.

Soaring Oil Prices may Accelerate Phase-Out of Fossil Fuels
After the oil price climbed to its highest level since 2008 in the previous week, the countries want to end their dependence on Russian oil and natural gas supplies.
Two stagflationary shocks: pandemic and war in Ukraine
The global economy was confronted with two negative developments within two years: the Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war. Erste Asset Management’s Chief Economist Winzer analyzes the stagflationary state of the economy.

Interview: What do the sanctions imposed on Russia mean for our funds?
What are the effects of the sanctions imposed on Russia on our funds? Interview with Alexandre Dimitrov, Senior Fund Manager with more than 20 years of experience and special field of expertise: equity markets Russia and CEE.
Investment Update: First steps to interest rate hikes and volatility in the stock markets
Stocks posted significant gains on Wednesday after U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell signaled that the central bank would begin raising interest rates this month. Stock markets interpreted this as a positive signal in the sense that the threat to growth posed by the war in Ukraine did not justify a change of course in monetary policy at the moment.
The impact of the war in Ukraine
We want to highlight the possible impact of the war in Ukraine on investment decisions. In short, the conflict reinforces already existing trends. In addition, the global recovery scenario is still holding, but recession risks in Europe have increased.
Ukraine conflict: sanctions against Russia
Last Friday saw the West’s first reaction to the invasion. Both the US, the EU and the UK announced sanctions against Russia. These mainly target Russia’s largest banks, oligarchs and the export of technology goods to Russia.
Military conflict Russia-Ukraine
Russia launched a military invasion of Ukraine on Thursday. The financial markets are reacting with price declines, a rise in the price of crude oil, a fall in the Russian ruble and price rises in credit-sensitive government bonds. We provide an assessment of the current market situation.

Escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine: are the markets at risk?
The Russia/Ukraine conflict is keeping the markets in suspense. Everything is possible â from continued diplomacy in order to contain the escalation to harder sanctions in case of a more comprehensive invasion. The volatility on the financial markets will remain high.
Transition to EVs is the Automotive Industryâs Hope for Beating Chip Crisis
The automotive industry is slowly recovering from the shortage of semiconductors in 2020 and 2021. The European car manufacturers recently presented more positive figures. The switch to electromobility is now in full swing.
Interest rate policy quo vadis? 3 monetary policy scenarios
Rising inflation and rising bond yields have recently caused uncertainty among investors. Will key interest rates in the USA be raised soon? Erste Asset Management’s Chief Economist Winzer outlines 3 scenarios for the interest rate policy of the central banks.
The crisis in Ukraine
The risk of an escalation of the geopolitical conflict between Russia, Ukraine and NATO has risen further in recent days.
Despite correction: long-term upward trend of biotech companies intact
Biotechnology shares have seen better times. Despite the most recent corrections, hopes for growth in the biotechnology sector remain very high. We spoke to Harald Kober, fund manager of ERSTE STOCK BIOTEC, about the latest developments.

Turbulent Week for Tech Giant Shares
US technology stocks have been subject to high fluctuations recently. Facebook reported significant share price losses. In contrast, Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft and Amazon delivered solid figures. The technology sector should continue to grow in the future.
Erste Asset Management achieves record result in 2021
Erste Asset Management was yet again ranked first among the Austrian investment companies last year. Assets under management in Austria had increased by 16.6% y/y to EUR 47.7bn as of 31 December 2021.
Stock markets off to a bumpy start in 2022
Inflation has risen sharply and the first interest rate hikes are expected from the Federal Reserve in the USA. What impact could this have on stocks?
Investing â a long term story
We have seen some extraordinary years speaking about equity and multi asset performance. Interest rates were low, volatility â representing the average daily price changes â was comparably low. What is the situation today?
Gas and Oil Prices Continue to Soar
Energy prices are going through the roof at the moment. The causes are both political and economic. Shares in the energy and commodities sector offer potential for further price increases.
10 theses for 2022
Waves of infections will continue to influence economic activity and the markets. What will happen in China, what are the inflation risks and will it be volatile? Our chief economist Gerhard Winzer has drawn up 10 theses for the year 2022.
Italy is electing a new president
Italy is about to elect a new president of state. The election that will be held from 24 January 2022 in several ballots is going to determine the successor of the current, 80-year old President Sergio Mattarella, whose mandate expires in February 2022. This was announced by the president of the chamber of deputies of […]
Pandemic year three: what are the challenges ahead?
We are now into the third year of the pandemic. Since the spring 2020 collapse, economic activity and markets have shown exceptional resilience. This is not to be taken for granted. After all, the list of potential negative influences (“challenges”) is long.
Interview: Behavioral Finance
Interview with Dr. Manfred FrĂźhwirth, Vienna University of Economic and Business Administration What is Behavioural Finance? Behavioural Finance is located at the interface of finance and psychology. As a rule, Behavioural Finance investigates how irrational behaviour (most often on the investorsâ part) affects asset prices on the capital market. 2a) Are there any examples of […]

Second Pandemic Year Ends With Strong Gains for Stock Markets
For the worldâs stock markets, the second year of the coronavirus pandemic ended with partly spectacular gains. Which stock markets were the best in 2021? One thing should be said in advance: The Vienna Stock Exchange was among the top performers
Advantages of supranational bonds in emerging market currencies
The most common form of supranational financial institutions are development banks, whose shareholders are usually the founding states. Investors’ exposure to bonds issued by development banks allows them to finance local infrastructure or climate projects at lower cost, which ultimately benefits the local population.

New German âTraffic Lightâ Coalition Launches Climate and Economic Programme During Difficult Phase
Germanyâs first federal government coalition of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the Green Party â called the âtraffic lightâ coalition for the partiesâ traditional colours â has now been in office for just under two weeks and is starting its planned renewal programme at the most difficult time imaginable. The train towards climate protection and renewable energies is picking up speed.
Investors bought the dip. Again.
Just when it looked like a quiet end to the year on the stock markets, the emergence of Omicron shook investor confidence and led to a sell-off lasting several days. How has market optimism evolved since then? Our stock expert TamĂĄs MenyhĂĄrt gives an outlook.
Inflation at its peak – what are the reasons?
At 5.2% y/y, consumer price inflation for the OECD region reached the highest value in October since 1997. Has inflation peaked, or are we at the outset of a sustained period of high inflation?
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Kick off the Yearâs most Important Retail Season on Friday
On November 26, the traditional âBlack Fridayâ of discount deals in the US and many other countries officially kicks off the immensely important Christmas shopping season for many industries. However, with the trend towards online shopping accelerating with the Corona pandemic, how will this turn out this year?
Inflationary Boom â A thin red line towards welfare
The global view on inflation has turned completely since Spring 2020. While low inflation has been an issue between the Great Financial Crisis and the start of the pandemic, multi-year-highs in inflation were reached in Spring 2021. What will happen next?
Good sentiment on the stock exchange thanks to profitable US companies
US companies have recorded high earnings and sales growth, as reflected in the drastic increase in share prices.
IMF and World Bank Annual Meeting, autumn 2021: emerging markets facing challenges
Fund manager Felix Dornaus attended the autumn meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. His impressions of the outlook for emerging markets summed up here.
A green label does not necessarily mean green on the inside
Funds marketing themselves as green investment do not always focus on companies that fight climate change, develop solar modules or recycle batteries. Instead, many of them look like traditional portfolios holding large tech companies â yet they wear green labels.

Japanâs Prime Minister Kishida Promises Economic Stimulus Programmes to Combat Corona Crisis After Election Victory
The parliamentary elections in Japan confirmed Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s pro-business course. Will the stock market gain new momentum?
Green, green shades of bonds
In recent years, we have seen dynamic growth emerging. It started with green bonds, which were then complemented by social bonds, sustainability bonds (a combination of environmental and social projects), and sustainability-linked bonds.

Stewardship vs. greenwashing
By integrating sustainable factors, we pursue social and environmental justice and have mechanisms and tools in place to avoid greenwashing. Our mission is also to align our sustainability approach with the investment needs of our clients to build a solid foundation for the future.
Yield opportunity in the bond market: Q4 2021
Most economic indicators for August and September point to a slowdown in economic growth. However, growth rates still remain relatively strong
Continuing Oil Price Rally Leads to new Multi-Year Highs
Crude oil prices continued to soar in the past week. The background to the oil price increases lies in the rising demand for oil combined with the ongoing economic recovery and fears of tight supply. The price surge in recent days was triggered by a drop in oil reserves reported by the US government on Wednesday.
Stagflation – a serious risk scenario
In recent months, the risk of stagflation (the simultaneous occurrence of economic stagnation and inflation) has increased. Without the pandemic, output would be higher and inflation lower: bottlenecks in production and logistics have slowed economic activity and caused prices in the goods sector to rise sharply.

Network Outage and Whistleblower give Facebook Critics new Fuel for Fire
Two nearly simultaneous events surrounding social network behemoth Facebook have recently directed public attention towards the networkâs impact and power, giving Facebook critics new momentum: After an outage of the most important Facebook services last Monday that lasted several hours, former Facebook employee and whistleblower Frances Haugen made serious accusations against the company before the US Senate the following day.
Where are equities headed into year-end?
Global stock markets have fallen back from their all-time highs in recent weeks. What were the causes? What potential do the equity experts at Erste Asset Management see until the end of the year?
Falling Momentum and Hawkish central banks
Falling economic indicators, anger in China and interest rate decisions by central banks are currently in the focus of the financial markets. Our chief economist Gerhard Winzer analyses the current situation.

House Of Cards â the case of Evergrande
Is there a solution to the current situation of real estate developer Evergrande? How high is the share of speculative real estate purchases in China, who profits and what Evergrande has to do with the 2008 financial crisis, explains Senior Professional Fund Manager PĂŠter Varga.
Gas Price Surge Driving up Electricity Prices and Fueling Inflation Concerns
Gas prices have soared in recent weeks. What are the reasons behind this? Will the planned increase in Norwegian gas supply bring the relief we have been longing for? Read more in our blog.

Has the real estate boom in China come to an end?
The economic boom of China has also been accompanied by a boom in the real estate industry over the past decades. The liquidity problems of the Chinese real estate developer Evergrande are heralding the end of the real estate boom in China.
What are the marks of quality shares?
In the long term, the quality of a company is also reflected in its share price. But what characterises quality and how can it be measured? And how can you invest in quality shares?
German Bundestag election â decisions for the future
Germany is facing an exciting Bundestag election on 26 September 2021. The outcome is completely open, but it sets the course for economic policy. The successor of long-term Chancellor Angela Merkel will also influence decisions at European level.

Theranos: user-friendliness and/or technological progress
Theranos was founded in 2003 by Elizabeth Holmes. The rise and subsequent trouble of the laboratory diagnostics company illustrates that usability does not suffice for the success of product and business ideas if the technological progress cannot keep up.
20 Years of 9/11: Full Circle from Bush to Biden
Exactly 20 years ago, on 11 September 2001, the USA was shaken by the worst terrorist attacks in its history. The attacks on the World Trade Center in New York claimed the lives of 3,000 people. They changed world politics. The effects are still a big issue today – keyword Afghanistan.

European Forum Alpbach: Overcoming the Crisis with Energy Transition, Capital Markets Union and Digitalisation
âThe Great Transformationâ: This was this yearâs Forum Alpbachâs overarching motto for the talks and panel discussions among the assembled top politicians, economic leaders and scientists from around the world. Partly on-site and partly online, between 18 August and 3 September a total of 4,134 participants from 62 countries discussed possible ways out of the corona pandemic crisis and global future scenarios.