PM Robert Fico believes the Slovalco aluminum smelter will begin restarting production within a few weeks. He did not disclose details of the state aid package. The smelter, 55%-owned by Norsk Hydro and 45% by Penta, halted production at end-2022 due to high electricity prices and low aluminum prices. Electricity prices have since fallen and aluminum prices have risen 50%. (tnlive.sk)

The share of self-employed borrowers in new mortgages has doubled over the past five years to 28%, and the non-performing loan rate in this segment is nearly three times that of employee borrowers, the central bank NBS warned. Self-employed borrowers have lower rates of university education, as well as less stable and harder to verify income. At the same time, they purchase more expensive properties, yet their higher risk profile is not offset by higher interest rates. (trend

Podiel živnostníkov na poskytnutých hypotékach sa za posledných päť rokov zdvojnásobil na 28% a podiel zlyhaných hypoték v tomto segmente je v porovnaní s úvermi poskytnutými zamestnancom takmer trojnásobný, upozornila NBS. Medzi živnostníkmi je nižší podiel VŠ vzdelania a ich príjmy sú menej stabilné a ťažšie overiteľné. Zároveň si kupujú drahšie nehnuteľnosti, ale ich vyššia rizikovosť nie je kompenzovaná vyššou úrokovou sadzbou. (trend.sk)

Premiér Robert Fico verí, že hlinikáreň Slovalco o niekoľko týždňov začne spúšťať výrobu. Detaily štátnej pomoci nezverejnil. Hlinikáreň, v ktorej Norsk Hydro vlastní 55% a Penta 45%, zastavila výrobu koncom roka 2022 pre vysoké ceny elektriny a nízke ceny hliníka. Ceny elektriny odvtedy klesli a cena hliníka stúpla o 50%. (tnlive.sk)

Opposition party PS launched an aggressive campaign highlighting the Fico family's ties to public funds. The move is a response to Smer's efforts to link PS leader Michal Šimečka to alleged irregularities in state subsidy claims by a foundation run by his mother. PS points out that Fico's son receives €5,000 a month from a Smer party company funded by the state. Fico's brother received state contracts through oligarch Norbert Bödör. His mother "purchased" an apartment from a

Europe's largest railcar manufacturer Tatravagónka (Alexej Beljajev and Budamar) is set to commission a €13m paint line. The investment, which will create 55 jobs and increase production capacity at the Poprad plant by 15%, received €5.2m in government tax break. Tatravagónka produces 4,000 freight cars and 10,000 bogies annually, giving it a 45% share of the European market. It is the 2nd-largest railcar maker in India and is considering new production capacity in the Middle

Najväčší európsky výrobca vagónov Tatravagónka (Alexej Beljajev a Budamar) čoskoro uvedie do prevádzky lakovaciu linku za 13 mil. €. Investíciu, ktorá vytvorí 55 pracovných miest a zvýši výrobnú kapacitu závodu v Poprade o 15%, podporila vláda 5,2 mil. € daňovou úľavou. Tatravagónka ročne vyrobí 4.000 nákladných vagónov a 10.000 podvozkov a má tak 45% podiel na európskom trhu. V Indii je druhým najväčším výrobcom vagónov a zvažuje nové výrobné kapacity na Blízkom východe a v

Opozičná strana PS spustila ostrú kampaň pripomínajúcu napojenie rodiny Roberta Fica na štátne peniaze. Reaguje na úsilie Smeru spojiť lídra PS Michala Šimečku s pochybeniami pri čerpaní štátnych dotácií nadáciou jeho matky. PS poukazuje, že Ficov syn dostáva 5.000 € mesačne od firmy strany Smer, ktorá je financovaná štátom. Ficov brat dostával štátne zákazky cez oligarchu Norberta Bödöra. Jeho mama „kúpila” byt od sponzora Smeru, ktorý zarobil na štátnych zákazkách. Bratrane

In this year’s Forbes rich list, Jaroslav Haščák’s net worth will exceed €2.5bn. Penta Group, where he and Marek Dospiva are the largest partners, is targeting expansion into Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines, and Penta Bank is set to expand. Italian expansion is among the goals of pharmacy chain Dr.Max, while betting operator Fortuna, currently not for sale, also has growth plans. Both Dr.Max and Fortuna intend to raise expansion capital through stock‑exchange listings

A ManpowerGroup survey shows 21% of companies plan to hire in 3Q while 27% plan layoffs. The net labor market index fell sharply to -6 from +3 in 2Q26 and +16 in 3Q25, driven by subdued domestic and foreign demand. The automotive sector posts an index of +8. The steepest drop occurred in communications services, which fell to -32 from +1 in the previous quarter. (hnonline.sk)